Katzkin Leather Interior in 2015 Trail (Base)

H

High_Country

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I ordered and installed a set of Katzkin leather seats. Katzkin has been covered here before, but it's a high quality aftermarket leather interior. You can customize colors, stitching, pleats or 'gathers', piping, and so on.

I purchased mine from Custom Aftermarket Auto Accessories | Superior Auto Restyling and I HIGHLY recommend them (they came on recommendation from Paul May's build). Wayne at SAR was absolutely awesome to work with. He called me after I placed my order over the internet to go over some details, confirm a few things, and even made a suggestion I ended up taking and am glad I did. He was completely interested in making sure I got what I wanted and was happy with the results. It was great to get that kind of customer service.

So, here's the requisite pics:
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My Trail (OEM cloth seats) had the black softex trim bits and pieces (console, door panels) with red contrast stitching. I wanted to match that and I'm happy with the results.

For those that are interested, here's the custom configuration I went with:
Black wrap
Smoke perforated "body"
Contrast red stitching

I think it looks "factory" and not too gimmicky or conspicuous.

I also installed some seat heaters (buttons/dials in the factory switch blanks in the console).
 
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The install was straightforward enough but it was the most tedious, time consuming, and tiresome mod to date. It took about 14-15 hours of pure work time (stretched out over a weekend due to other priorities - like family!).

You remove all the seats from the vehicle (unplug wires, etc), completely disassemble all seats (bolts, seat belts, plastic trim) cut hog rings, etc.

Then you use your hand strength to carefully pull, stretch, clip, and manipulate the new leather. Install new hog rings as you go. The seat heaters were pretty straightforward as well. Just more time.

Again, it was pretty 'simple', but time-consuming and tiresome. More so than the Toytec lift, homemade roof rack, etc.

But I'm super happy with the results and am glad I did it.
 
Looks good. I might put these in my 2015 trail at some point, but I think i'll let a shop do it. Nice work doing it yourself. That's not a fun job.
 
i admire the self-install job, but hate to be debbie downer....pay a professional to do the install.

this is nice work, but there are visual differences between professional and homemade work...i can see it in the photos with the creases and dimples (at
the bolsters) just spend the extra money for a seasoned installer. it is an artform... find a mexican who has 20+ years upohlstery and your golden...

i bought full 100% leather from this same company,
and had it installed... it was a ton of work, but not for me to take on.
 
Last edited:
RESQLAB said:
i admire the self-install job, but hate to be debbie downer....pay a professional to do the install.

this is nice work, but there are visual differences between professional and homemade work...i can see it in the photos with the creases and dimples (at
the bolsters) just spend the extra money for a seasoned installer. it is an artform... find a mexican who has 20+ years upohlstery and your golden...

i bought full 100% leather from this same company,
and had it installed... it was a ton of work, but not for me to take on.
Click to expand...

Care to post pics?
 
will do in the morning... i didnt want to chime in here but saw obvious visual issues... like the dimples on the passanger seat lumbar.. and the uneven crease/folds from the left vs. right seats

good for him for going at it alone, but nothing can replace proper tools and years of experience.

we are all different with what we find acceptable.
 
Last edited:
RESQLAB said:
will do in the morning... i didnt want to chime in here but saw obvious visual issues... like the dimples on the passanger seat lumbar.. and the uneven crease/folds from the left vs. right seats

good for him for going at it alone, but nothing can replace proper tools and years of experience.

we are all different with what we find acceptable.
Click to expand...

I paid to have it done because I can be a whiny ***** about stuff like this...so I can whine at the installer if there are issues.

I applaud tackling this project on your own though. Best way to learn.
 
Had mine done by a pro too, came out withalmost no creases. You cad take a heatgun and tighten up the leather. Also should smooth out after a summer of hot days.
 
I've had two cars done with Katskins and they turned out great. Yours looks good however they seem to have a ton of wrinkles and creases and for my OCD side they don't factory and that would drive me nuts.
 
I have sold and assisted installs for Katzkin leather kits when I worked in the auto industry. I can tell you right now it is a long tedious process, great job for installing it yourself. Not many people would or should even attempt it.
 
Looks good. Don't see that color combo too often, interesting.

Get some Leatherique to keep it looking new as long as possible. Stuff is awesome!
 
Thanks for all the compliments and the criticisms. I can take it!

Those pics were taken immediately after I bolted everything back in, so I'm sure there will be some changes to the wrinkles and dimples as it gets lived in (and things warm up around here). I can probably manipulate the bolsters and foam a bit to smooth out some. I haven't even tried the heat gun approach yet.

To be honest, for me - which is who it matters to (haha) - it's perfectly acceptable. I support paying professionals to do professional work, but that also assumes the professional you hire will produce acceptable results. That's not always the case. And once the job is done, it's done. I wouldn't want a professional I was b!thcing at tearing apart my interior again. It all depends on the professional I suppose. I'll bet I was more careful with plastic trim pieces, and plastic clips and all than a hired professional would be (because its MY car). So, again, if you can find the right professional you trust and have the coin to pay him, that's great too.

I have some personal pride in doing the job myself and have added another ability (debatable I suppose) to my skill sets. I love the look on people's faces when they ask who put them in and I say "me".
 
I did black leather with red stitch in my TE. Had the Toyota dealer do the install when we bought it. It looks way better than what it came with and is much easier to clean, especially with little ones riding back there lol.
 
gilbo182 said:
I did black leather with red stitch in my TE. Had the Toyota dealer do the install when we bought it. It looks way better than what it came with and is much easier to clean, especially with little ones riding back there lol.
Click to expand...


Out of curiosity, what did the dealer charge you to install the Katzkin kit? $500? $1500? Free with an oil change?
 
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