How Hard is Cloth to Leather Seat Conversion?

[Brian757]

So I met someone online on Craigslist who is parting out his 2000 Toyota 4Runner, and has his leather seats taken out. I have been wanting to reupholster my truck for a few years now, but cant validate $1300 on leather seating.

He is selling his front and rear seats for $400. These things are in great condition, but the drivers side doesnt have the button knobs. Im sure I can find them online for somewhat cheap.

MY QUESTION: How hard is it to come from cloth seating to wiring up the power seats. Is it just requiring 12V and thats all? Or is it all more intricate than that?

Please tell me Im overthinking it. Tell me I just need to unbolt all of the seats and bolt in the leather ones. And let me know if I should consider this offer. THANKS ALL!

Here is the add:
2000 4runner leather power seats

 

[BrianSD_42]

It is really easy, I am sure you can figure it out.

If I needed the seats I would buy them and worry about the power later.

I have removed my limited seats before and the wiring is no big deal.

You can always get the wire adapter from a wreck for cheap.

 

[93cr250]

too bad your not closer. i would trade you my leather limited seats for your cloth ones if they are also tan in good shape.

 

[Brian757]

It is really easy, I am sure you can figure it out.

If I needed the seats I would buy them and worry about the power later.

I have removed my limited seats before and the wiring is no big deal.

You can always get the wire adapter from a wreck for cheap.

Is that a good price for the seats? They look to be well maintained. They have 175K miles on them.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I think $400 for all front and rear is a great price. I have seen them go for $800 on the forum.

I would offer him $350 and take them home. You can probably sell your cloth for v$350 easy.

 

[Kanger328]

I think $400 for all front and rear is a great price. I have seen them go for $800 on the forum.

I would offer him $350 and take them home. You can probably sell your cloth for v$350 easy.

Agreed. I just bought a set of front leathers off a '97 in great condition from a junkyard for $150. $350-$400 would be awesome for a full set, plus it's hard finding them so snag them up!

 

[Brian757]

Alright. Will do. That seems like a good buy anyway. I just needed clarification.
I will let you know what I do.

 

[4yotaguy]

yeah, I say go for it too, sounds like a decent deal. The wiring should be straightforward, especially using parts from a "parted" limited making things a lot easier. In the end all it is a positive and negative cable....

 

[Brian757]

yeah, I say go for it too, sounds like a decent deal. The wiring should be straightforward, especially using parts from a "parted" limited making things a lot easier. In the end all it is a positive and negative cable....

Exactly. And I looked into how to wire them. You supply 12V and then ground each seat. That's no problem.

Here's a good writeup for reference (So I don't have to find it again):
Power Leather Seat Installation

 

[A.Wilson013]

When I did this swap, the plug for the power seats was different than the manual cloth. I had to take the plug from my cloth, take the pins out, and insert the 3 (might have been 2, I don't recall...) wires from the leather seat to get it to work. After that I tapped a 12v constant wire, and they have worked good as new ever since.

I paid that much for the seats, all 4 leather door panels, and door handles (they're slightly lighter in color). I would call the condition pristine.

Edit-- I see the door panels are pictured. Work those in to the deal and I think it's a good price. I bought mine from a friend for much less than I see them going for in this condition.

 

[Brian757]

When I did this swap, the plug for the power seats was different than the manual cloth. I had to take the plug from my cloth, take the pins out, and insert the 3 (might have been 2, I don't recall...) wires from the leather seat to get it to work. After that I tapped a 12v constant wire, and they have worked good as new ever since.

I paid that much for the seats, all 4 leather door panels, and door handles (they're slightly lighter in color). I would call the condition pristine.

Edit-- I see the door panels are pictured. Work those in to the deal and I think it's a good price. I bought mine from a friend for much less than I see them going for in this condition.

He wants to do $400 for the front and rear seats, with their harnesses and everything. And then wants $100 for all matching door panels and handles.
What would be a good deal? $450 for everything?
And I figure it should be somewhat easy of an install. Just don't be shocked if I blow your inbox up Alex

The guy is basically selling his 2000 Limited 4WD Silver* with Beige interior as a parts car. He wants $1,500 total for the whole vehicle. He is just taking the engine, wheels, and tires off of it, and selling the rest. It was totaled in the front. He has also already sold the rear hatch.

If anyone is interested in parts once I'm finished, let me know. I might just buy the whole truck and snag a storage unit near my house and wrench there. The truck has an e-locker than I am going to try and take and install on mine.

Here is a picture of the entire truck pre-wreck:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Just buy it!

 

[xcmtb83]

While you are at it swap the driver and passenger seat bases around, 4 bolts is all. I swapped mine over and my ace is loving it. The passenger seats always have less wear and tear on the leather and cushion.

 

[Brian757]

While you are at it swap the driver and passenger seat bases around, 4 bolts is all. I swapped mine over and my ace is loving it. The passenger seats always have less wear and tear on the leather and cushion.

Ah, good idea. I might just do that.

 

[Brian757]

You say its black but picture is silver?

Haha, because I am horrible with colors. I always call black vehicles white, and I'm all messed up. I will fix it. The image is of the truck, and the truck is silver. Thank you for the fix.

UPDATE: I am meeting with the owner on Friday to look at the seats. We have agreed to do his front and rear seats, as well as the door panels and door handles, in exchange for my seats and $325. I figure for $325, I get a re-upholstery job, and I will be happy. I am also getting all of the wiring for it. Hope this job is somewhat simple.

The original offer was $400 for the seats, and $100 for the door panels and handles. So at $500 plus the wiring, and pristine leather, I figured I could throw in my seats, and he knocked the price from $500 to $325. So $175 for my manual cloth seats.
It is a gauranteed purchase though, now its just a matter of time. I will keep you guys posted.

He is about 2 hours away from my house, so I am going to leave work on Friday @ 3:00PM, and will get there around 6:00PM, take a look at them, buy them, and be home around 8:00PM. Then I get the whole weekend to install them

 

[Brian757]

QUESTION: I am trying to order new handles for the switches to the power seats that I am receiving. I am looking online, but there is only the "LEFT" side available, and I require the passenger side, not the drivers side.
Does anyone know if the knobs are Universal? That would make sense that I couldn't find the right side.

 

[4yotaguy]

Yes the knob numbers are for both sides- universal.

 

[Brian757]

Yes the knob numbers are for both sides- universal.

Thanks! And I'm assuming they only come in beige?

 

[r34sklnnsn]

I got some spares, If you still looking , very cheap. PM me.

 

[Brian757]

I got some spares, If you still looking , very cheap. PM me.

PM Sent.