Leather interior install

Katzkin leather requires the removal of the factory cloth. There may be others like Clazzio that slip over.

 

yeah I guess if that’s the only option in your area then you are at their mercy unless you can do it yourself, but I don’t think $750 is a fair price for that install. Granted I thought $250 was a little too cheap but as I said the reviews of that shop were very good so I fortunate and got a great deal on mine.

 

shakezoola is right on. The Katzkins are a true upholstery kit, not a seat cover.
You have to remove all the fabric because the leather will not fit, there would be no way to access the rods that you have to hogring the leather to, and the under- and back-side attachment points would be inaccessible.

The only exception is the headrests. You don’t have to remove the fabric from those, and if you did, the fit would be a bit loose and perhaps sloppy without adding filler or some kind of batting.

 

Yeah, it seems that is my only option other than to do it myself. I CAN do it myself. The only thing I lack is time. You'd think that with the coronavirus situation, I'd have time to do it. However, with the kids are out of school, and working from my home office for the foreseeable future... I'm busier than I was before.

 

Make sure you add heated seat pads if you're pulling off the cloth and putting the leather on. You will really appreciate heated on cool or cold days! My Land Cruiser came from the factory with heated seats. Going strong 20 years later!!!!

 

$750 for install? I’d do it myself seat heaters are simple to put in. My buddy has done leather a couple times and said it’s nothing you can’t do your self watch a couple videos and it should work out save the coin for other mods.....I went with clazzio leather seat covers they just slip over the existing seat covers but you can’t even tell Only part that doesn’t fit perfect is the rear fold down arm rest when it’s up it gives some slack...when down it’s tight....also put seat heaters in.

 

Very nicely done.

 

I couldn’t agree more. The heater kits are not expensive and you can even just leave the cords dangling if you don’t want to wire them up right away.

 

If you don't mind me asking whats the name of the shop?

 

I added the heated seats. No way I was going to upgrade to leather and NOT do it.

 

yeah I should have done seat heaters but I don’t really mind not having them....my wife and daughter however mention it EVERY time they get into the truck when it’s cold so there you go...lol

 

Well, after talking to a buddy of mine (who knows a lot more about cars and mode than I do) and another buddy who attempted an install on his jeep, I decided to get the install done by a professional. I went with the certified installer. I talked to the installer and they were very professional and reassuring. They guaranteed their work and had an available slot the next day (which satisfied my impatience to get them installed).

The main reason was the amount of time it would take me. And of course, time is money. I am very pleased with the results.

 

this is the guy who did mine.

 

I’m about to install leather. Are hog rings snap rings. And so you bought new hog rings ?

 

Hog rings are NOT snap rings.
You'll probably just cut the old rings off, just make note or take pics so you can remember where they were..

I bought these hog ring pliers and rings when I installed my seat heaters.
Kinda cheap, the red handles kept coming off, sprayed the insdie with hairspray helped a little.

$16 Drake Off Road PLIERSET-P Professional Hog Ring Upholstery Installation Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FS0WFAA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This looks like it might be a better set.

$35 Hog Ring Pliers & 150 Galvanized Hog Rings, Professional Upholstery Installation Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Pliers-Galvanized-Professional-Upholstery-Installation/dp/B01N2IJ64A/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=hog+ring+pliers&qid=1588774174&s=hi&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMQ0JVVlpHUUhIME8mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1MDgwMjAyUFU2REVPVE5HMldOJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MTYyODEyQ0pTQjFLS0hLQVg3JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ%3D%3D

This one looks decent too.

$16 Cascade Tools Hog Ring Pliers Kit (200 Pack of 3/4" Galvanized Steel Hog Rings Included) Perfect for Furniture Upholstery, Auto Upholstery, Meat & Sausage Casings

https://www.amazon.com/Galvanized-I...ds=hog+ring+pliers&qid=1588774347&s=hi&sr=1-4

Make sure you order enough rings, they go pretty fast.