New 4Runner owner with questions for the connoisseurs. 1999 4Runner Ltd 4x4

[3rd gen king]

Jusus have you got a lot to say!!!

Based on pics (us Texas folk don't know to much bout readin)
You swapped the carpet and some other things.

All I have to say is, carpet looked rough, glad your investing on the inside of the truck before you get into lifting and modding.

 

[Qyota]

Pics of the new leather?? Sounds awesome.

 

[Cytronus]

Indeed 3rd Gen King, the carpet was destroyed but even worse was the smell. I'm still waiting for carpet samples from Automotiveinteriors.com in order to choose the right color. I received samples from stockinteriors.com but they have limited colors and none of them really worked against anything from the interior, be it the original carpet, seat belts, plastic trim, door panels, etc. I don't want to match it up to the new seat leather which is lighter, because I don't want the carpet to show stains and dirt too easily. I want it to match the original carpet closely or at least the darker brown- taupe plastic trim pieces.

The car is presently at the dealership for a window repair but when I have it back tonight, I'll be installing new LED gauge lights and removing the seats to take some nice photos for everyone.

Once I complete the interior restoration, I'll get moving on the front end suspension, joints and bushings and new bilstein shocks all around.

 

[Cytronus]

Katzkin Leather and the "DirtCo" Flashlight mod

Alright guys, here are shots of the new Katzkin leathers - before and after. Seat heaters were also installed. While the seats were out, I went ahead and did the "DirtCo" flashlight mod to the front of both seats, adding 2 of the MagLite 2D LED 10" 134 Lumen flashlights on the accessory clips along with separate screw mounting - specs below. I was able to pick up all the hardware, clips and flashlights at OSH.

 

[Cytronus]

More photos...

 

[AZ4FNER]

They look great! Can't wait to see them installed. But, they look expensive.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Have you done anything with the front end yet? If your rack has been replaced and is black I wounder if its a reman rack from the same place I got mine. If so I wouldnt be surprised if its junk.

But before spending too much money, I would pull the boots down, then watch the rack gear on both sides as you have someone wiggle the wheel in either direction. If the drivers side is loose, theres a fix for it. However if the passenger side has any play theres nothing you can do about it. You can also grab the gear on either side and shake it vigorously to see if theres any knocking or play. If the leak is very minor I wouldnt replace the rack just for that purpose. You can try some stop leak.

Lower and upper ball joints are good insurance. And inner and outter tie rods would probably be a good idea too. If you do replace ball joints and tie rods, do all of it at once so you only have to pay for one alignment!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hey man, nice build so far.

Do you mind stating how the new foam and leather cost you?
1) Foam
2) Leather 2 front seats
3) Install - I assume was around $100

Links to the vendors as well please.

I'd really like to do my drivers seat, maybe both fronts.

Thanks!

 

[Cytronus]

The Katzkin leather with installation was $1500 for both rows. Seat heaters were $500 for the 2 front seats with installation. I was able to pay cash and avoid sales tax. All in all, I thought it was a very fair deal for the quality of the leather and the installation from a very reputable shop. Keep in mind, cost of living in California is very high so I'd expect the prices for the same job to be a lot cheaper out of state, maybe $1400 - $1600 for the same set up.

I had the order and install done through Coach Automotive Restyling in Union City, CA. Steve is the man to ask for.

As for new seat foam, the guys said my OEM foam was in great shape already but I asked to proceed with the new foam anyway. They used new foam for the front seat and only a new seat back for the passenger since the bottom foam has an airbag sensor embedded, they didn't want to risk doing any damage to it or blowing an air bag by accident when reconnecting the negative terminal. I was with them on that one. The whole set of foam for the 2 front seats was $650 from Toyota Sunnyvale in Sunnyvale, CA. They were kind enough to let me return the passenger seat bottom without a restocking fee.

Aside from having the old leather available, I also have the old seat foam. The seat backs are in like new condition and the driver side seat bottom is in good condition and easily supplemented with a new foam strip on the left (door-side) edge.

Since I reused the OEM foam for the back row, I don't have back row seat foam.

 

[alexb]

Katzkin is great. I had the cloth interior of my 03 F-150 redone a while back with Katzkins and it looked fantastic.

Were you able to get a shipping quote on the passenger leather cover for me yet?

 

[crazydubman]

Looks amazing. Wish I could justify the expense for the wheeler.

Did you happen to still have the drivers leather? Mine is worse than what yours was and thinking it would be worth swapping mine over to a slightly better condition set.