Replacing leather seat skins on my limited

[TOY2G]

Well after three hours I finished one seat. One huge hold up was figuring out how to put the seat heaters back in without the proper fasteners.

The skill level on this is not hrd, however the task itself is cumbersome. There are 5 steel rods in each cushion that have to straightened and then pulled out. Then you have to remove the seat heaters (if you have them) and work your booty off keeping them in place as you re assemble the seat skin.

All and all it was not that hard, just very labor intensive. I think I will find an upholstery shop here in Fort Worth to finishe the job. I have a driver seat so I can pull the rest and just drop them off.

FYI. The skins I installed are out of a urban runner and I love the look and they are literally like new. OEM skins are from a forum member and IMO are better looking than the factory leather.

 

[gaterose]

That's sad news.. I had hoped to replace at least my driver's seat at some point as it's pretty worn. Since I'm told that the Clazzio covers won't work with factory leather, I was under the impression that factory skin is the best route.

Sounds like a lot more work than I expected though... Don't guess you have any more pictures? I wasn't expecting it to be nearly that complex..

 

[TOY2G]

That's sad news.. I had hoped to replace at least my driver's seat at some point as it's pretty worn. Since I'm told that the Clazzio covers won't work with factory leather, I was under the impression that factory skin is the best route.

Sounds like a lot more work than I expected though... Don't guess you have any more pictures? I wasn't expecting it to be nearly that complex..

Second one done in an hour. It was not near as bad since I knew what I was doing and had already figured out the seat heaters. I don't know why the clazzoi ones would not work. I talked to them and the only thing they do not have is covers for dual power seats.

I did not take pictures of the install because it is up close and hard to see. Plus all three of my hands were tied up the entire time.

Here are some more pics of the seat skins on.

 

[gaterose]

I don't know why the clazzoi ones would not work. I talked to them and the only thing they do not have is covers for dual power seats.

Perhaps it was the dual power that won't work then. I was just told that the clazzios wouldn't work with factory leather.. I think I just assumed it was the heater.

Good to hear the other seat took less time.. Time to start searching again..

 

[delz05]

Those covers look really nice. Can you give a bit more detail on the source for these covers? I like the dark side panels that contrast the inserts. Would like to get a hold of a set...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Looks great....I was eyeing those as well just wasn't real comfortable with the install. I was about to pull the trigger on the Clazzio's, but was told by TRD Sparks that they wouldn't work/fit with the leather. I couldn't really get an explanation, only them saying it wouldn't work. They may work fine and they were just trying to cover their back side, idk.

 

[4rs]

I love the urban runner seats.

 

[TOY2G]

Those covers look really nice. Can you give a bit more detail on the source for these covers? I like the dark side panels that contrast the inserts. Would like to get a hold of a set...

They are take offs from a 2009 Urban Runner. One if the members on here (jonpos) had them. They were pulled off at the dealer for an upgrade full leather kit. They are new, however it would be like 1800 bucks just for the front seats to buy a set like this. Sorry for the bad news.

Looks great....I was eyeing those as well just wasn't real comfortable with the install. I was about to pull the trigger on the Clazzio's, but was told by TRD Sparks that they wouldn't work/fit with the leather. I couldn't really get an explanation, only them saying it wouldn't work. They may work fine and they were just trying to cover their back side, idk.

Clazzois site shows for the leather 4th gen. I do know the backs of the seats are different on my leather 4th gen and my Cloth 4th gen. The leather has a screw/clip in back pocket panel and the cloth one is all one piece. I am not sure how to explain it. If you have leather seats and you look at the back of the front seat there is a pocket panel that is about 15"x20" and it has two screws in the bottom and then a few latches and the entire panel pops off. On the cloth seat back there is no panel at all. It's just a normal seat skin.

 

[gshadow325]

why would it not work?

there are aftermarket kits out there all day long everyday. i just installed a replacement leather kit in my volvo from bestleatherkits.com

its the same thing. my sr5 has aftermarket leather and the back of the front seats has pockets sewn into them. if you remove the cloth seat covers you will what toy2g was talking about the rear panel for the leather oem seats. when you get the replacements seat skins. the cover/panel gets eliminated. thus thats the not working for leather cars part.

 

[ur7x]

There are lots of aftermarket kits for Sr5 leather seat upgrades, but NONE of these kits work for fixing leather seats on a worn out Limited.

Don't know why no one in the aftermarket offers a stone and a fawn kit. Lots of money to be made here since these seats all seem to wear out. A VERY common issue with the Limited cars.

 

[Atlanta_man]

There are lots of aftermarket kits for Sr5 leather seat upgrades, but NONE of these kits work for fixing leather seats on a worn out Limited.

Don't know why no one in the aftermarket offers a stone and a fawn kit. Lots of money to be made here since these seats all seem to wear out. A VERY common issue with the Limited cars.

Agreed !
I would be a customer asap

 

[lsx2]

There are lots of aftermarket kits for Sr5 leather seat upgrades, but NONE of these kits work for fixing leather seats on a worn out Limited.

Don't know why no one in the aftermarket offers a stone and a fawn kit. Lots of money to be made here since these seats all seem to wear out. A VERY common issue with the Limited cars.

Bumping this old thread - I have a 2003 Limited with the light leather seats, stone/fawn? and the driver's side one is split on the side and looks terrible...so no version of the Clazzio covers will work with my seats and there's basically no other options?

I talked to Clazzio's customer service and the guy couldn't answer this and says he'll send me an email after talking to a higher up. Their website says nothing about different seat covers for Limited vs. other models, only power vs. manual seats.

 

[M1911]

What about Katzkin? Welcome | Car Leather Upholstery | Custom Auto Leather Interiors by Katzkin

 

[lsx2]

what about katzkin? welcome | car leather upholstery | custom auto leather interiors by katzkin

$2000

 

[gshadow325]

$2000

More like $6-700 especially you in Cali.

 

[ronnyg801]

How is the quality of the Katzkin? Is it nice? or is it like the cheap factory leather of say a nissan?

If its not awesome, is there a company that makes a high quality set?

 

[gshadow325]

How is the quality of the Katzkin? Is it nice? or is it like the cheap factory leather of say a nissan?

If its not awesome, is there a company that makes a high quality set?

They are a OEM manufacturer

 

[ronnyg801]

Oh, interesting

is their aftermarket stuff the higher grade leather or lesser? haha

 

[macgyver_ga]

Katzkin is good sh*t. I put it in my wife's '06 sport within 2 weeks of buying it a few months ago. Also put it in my tundra right after I bought it. I also installed it in my old '07 Tacoma double cab I had before the Tundra.

It doesn't cost $2,000. I paid ~$700 shipped for all 3 kits I've purchased. I've installed them all myself. It's really not that difficult to do in terms of skill level. Just tedious and be prepared to have some sore hands/fingers and quite a few cuts and scrapes. Those metal seat frames will slice you right open if you're not careful.

OP, if you've already done the front seats, you're done with the hard part. The back seats are much easier.

If you ever upgrade a vehicle to leather at the dealer, chances are they're using either Katzkin or Classic Soft trim.

 

[macgyver_ga]

If you're wondering about the quality, Here's some shots of the katzkin I did in my wife's T4R. The color is "dark graphite." I also installed some seat heaters I picked up off Amazon for $45. Put the switches in the center console. I think I might swap the DAC switch into the center slot.