Aftermarket leather... Katskinz, Alea...

Looking to have aftermarket leather put into my truck - 17 SR5 TRD. I’ve gotten a couple of varying quotes - $1099 for Katskinz, $2100 for Alea and $1299 for Roadwire from Classic Soft Trim. The Alea dealer also sell Katskinz but swears the Alea lasts longer, fits better and is an overall nicer product. But damn. $1k more? That’s suspension... SCS wheels... something!

The Roadwire is out - I didn’t care for the very vinyl like consistency.

I looked at Clazzio again and, while I was happy with them in my 3rd gen Taco, I’m gonna pass on using them in my Tundra.

Anyone here have experience with Katskinz or Alea? I feel crazy for even considering the Alea.

 

I've had my Katskinz about 7 months now. No complaints so far. Installed for $1600 with tekstitch and the TRD PRO logo in the seat back. Mine are the vinyl variant of Katskinz. Less maintenance than the leather versions.

 

I’ve had Katskins (with heated seats) for about 5-6 month and I love them. So far they are Holding up great. I had the choice between Roadwire or Katskins and went with Katskins. You won’t go wrong with them.

 

Alea is who I'm looking at going with when I get around to doing the interior. I like their patterns and combos better so it's worth the price to me. I wasn't aware of the better fit, but I haven't been too impressed with Katskins after seeing pics, so I'm happy to hear that.

 

Had Katzkin put on about a week ago. Did factory match and was $1300 installed. Tight fit and looks factory. Didn't event tell the wife I was doing it, she rode in the truck today, didn't even notice. Whew!

My caddy i traded in had leather and I put it on par with that in quality.

 

My local installer favors Alea for what it's worth.

 

I have Katzkin 8 months now and they are doing great. They look like new. It’s a matter of personal choice whenever it comes to interiors. I have always changed out the interiors of most of my vehicles. I just love the personal touch. However, I mostly used Katzkin. I also own luxury vehicles that come with very expensive interiors. The difference between those luxury vehicles interior and the aftermarket Katzkin, is very minute.

In fact, in some cases, I prefer my Katzkin over the stock leathers in my Infinity, Acura, and Cadillac. It doesn’t matter what type of leather you have, or, how expensive they are. If you don’t take care of it and protect it from the elements, it won’t last.

 

Looks great! I like the outside double stitch and inside single stitch. My plan is to do the same but with red stitching.

I also am going to put in heated seats and, I like that location for the switches!

 

A co-worker of mine has an upholstery business on the side. He is an approved Katskinz installer but installs many different brands and does custom work doing restorations, etc. He recommends Katskinz.

 

Lambskin is still the bees knees.

 

those Katzkins look good. I'm debating adding some. I have grey cloth interior right now. Not sure if i should go all black or black with grey accents.

 

Go black bolsters, black seat backs, black headrests but factory light grey color on the middle inserts. Will look really sharp and match the grey carpet/plastic on the rest of your interior.

 

I bet your hands would love the feel of those covers if they weren't always protected in those hyperbaric chambers....

 

My truck had Katzskins installed by the dealer when it was new (2014) and it currently has 69,500 and they’re are holding up well other than ‘butt slide’ ware on the edge of the driver’s seat. Other than that, they look and feel great. I couldn’t see spring an extra grand being worth it. Also, I bought my truck used so I have no clear how much effort the previous owner spent maintaining them.

 

I had Katzskins in a previous truck and you can't beat the quality at that price point.The quality is every bit as good as the leather in our Audi.

 

I went with Alea leather and cannot be happier. Just installed today! So it will tighten up some with the Florida heat. Here are some images.

 

Freakin' gorgeous leather Ricardo!!! Those seats might actually be nicer than my Platinum. WELL DONE

 

Thanks bud! I did take a bit in deciding which brand, and then compare which model. Finally decided on these. Happy that I did.

 

I’m running alea. Had them for about 6 months and love them

 

Hate to throw another in the mix, but leatherseats.com has some great options. From a basic vinyl, to heated and cooled premium leather. Been on and off their site building interiors. Doubt I'll ever do it because the reason I bought this truck was to take it off road and that's what I do with it.

 

I’d rather clean mud off of a leather seat than cloth.
Just sayin.

 

I would like to do seat covers. Leaning towards wet okole. Washable is nice.

 

Wow. Those are nice seats man! I am looking to get some leather seats for my SR5 trims. Does your Alea leather feel soft? Would you mind share how much you paid for front and back and installation costs? Thanks in advance!

 

Couldn’t you guys put in factory leather seats from say a limited or 1894 model for maybe half some of those prices?

 

I could not find any factory leather I liked, other than the TSS seats. I ordered the diamond Alea seat covers with red stitching. I saw a few leather kits on Ebay for under $400, just not my style of color.

 

How? Seriously, I am not being a smart-ass. How? Go to Toyota dealer? Will they do that for cheaper?

 

I just ordered these exact ones from Touch-Ups Automotive.

https://touch-ups.myshopify.com/col...orated-inserts-diamond-bolsters-gray-underlay

 

On the larger rear seat, how did you go about cutting the hole for the seat belt with the seam there?

Also, do you have pictures of how the rear armrest/cupholder bolts back in?