Torn Door Panel Leather

Hey guys, I’ve got an an ‘04 Tundra Access Cab LTD with the leather package in it. Ever since I got it, the leather on the door around the window switch seems to have torn out from underneath it. Any of you guys out there with access cabs of similar models have this issue? If you do, how did you fix it? Any ideas on how I could fix it?

 

I have the same issue I have no idea how to fix it

 

@baltimorebirds2 Could it be pulled back into place and glued down? Last ditch effort would be an upholstery shop that works on vehicles.

 

If it was me I would use something like this. Just remove the shiney wood looking thing, (I have no idea wth you call that thing), and spray some adhesive inside the area of concern. pull/stretch the leather , and press onto the adhesive, and hold it however long it says, and reinstall the shiney wood looking thing. That s what I would do anyhoo.

 

I would think, If you take out the switch and use contact cement you should be able to move and reattach...You have nothing to lose. Might try an upholstery shop as well.

 

It isn't torn, it's shrinking. Try some leather conditioner on it to soften it back up, then stretch it back and use contact cement to hold it in place. I've never had leather upholstery, but this works on belts, jackets, and boots.

https://www.lexol.com/lexol/products?f[0]=field_product_type:84

 

That definitely makes sense. It looks like it got pulled out from underneath the switch and shrunk because it seems pretty hard to try and stretch it back. Maybe I'll try some kind of softener.

 

Mine looks the same, sub'd for a good solution

 

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure it's from the drivers knee constantly resting and ever so slightly pulling the leather out of its place

 

"Slightly"

 

By the dirt, and grime ingrained in the leather right there on the edge - I'd venture to say an arm has spent a significant amount of time rested there. Not that that's a bad thing, it's what the arm rest is intended for.

 

Whenever I get around to doing it, I'll probably just end up taking the door panel switch out, put some adhesive on the door panel plastic, and then stretch the leather back up and home it sticks fairly well. Then when it dries I'll put the window switch back on and show you guys how it turned out. Might be a while until I do it... Who knows

 

I agree with this. I know when I drive my knee stays in that general location a lot of the time. However, the leather was like this before I got the truck so it wasn't me that initially caused it.

 

Great thread. Following. Both doors of my cab are having this issue. Both cloth rather than leather.

 

PHM Fix:
1) Use a Tuck Tool like a flat knife or Wide Flat Screw Driver and slowly tuck the fabric back into and under the Door Trim.

2) Or, remove Door Trim and grab and pull the leather/trim back into position. Use a fast grab type glue/caulk carefully applied with a thin knife in a thin layer. Reinstall trim and you are good to go.

This is how I did mine about two years ago. Also fixed a Baggy/Saggy Spot on an upper door panel in similar fashion.

 

Thanks for the input. I’m probably gonna have to glue it since the leather doesn’t stretch much, and when it does it isn’t enough to stay tucked under the window switch.

 

Add some conditioner to the leather and stretch it out over some time. Do the fix after the stretch.

 

I'd agree with the stretching and leather conditioner. When you go to stretch it may be worth. Shot to heat it up with a hair dryer. Don't get very close just warm that area and some around it. Wouldn't get too aggressive with the stretching either way.

 

A stretch with glue and a temporary mechanical clamp to hold until cure might work as well.

 

I think this eventually happens on all ACs leather and cloth. My cloth door panels look like shit. What a poor design choice.

 

I don't have much useful to contribute to this thread, but I'm working on a similar problem with my 2003 fabric door panels. I rest my sunscreen / insect / dirt coated knee on it all the time. The fabric is threadbare and pulling out from the handles and stuff.

I'm thinking of different materials – maybe non-traditional – to use for the non-plastic section. Wonder how my knee would enjoy bouncing against bedliner...

Just so I don't forget this thread and somebody is trying to find a solution in the future, here is a link to the other thread where I'll try to document my progress.

 

I agree the area has the knee rest there. But dont think that was his problem. My 2003 with fabric on door was just worn out because of the knee resting there.

Only thing that looked bad on the truck and knew I would be keeping it a long time.
So I bought a new door panel.
Anyway after two years I had the same thing as the OP here. But more so on the other side of the switch. So could not have been the knee.
What I found was the glue had failed. And material shrunk. Also had some loose places on other areas. My old one was worn out. But after about 15 years had not shrunk and had no gaps.

I removed the Door panel from the truck. Then removed the upholstered panel from the rest of the main panel.

It was sort of plastic welded on some plastic studs. Not made to be removed. Like they fit over the studs and they melted the ends to get them to mushroom out.
So I used a solder iron and melted the ends of the studs to remove the panel.
Then the 3M spray.
Then to reinstall. Used what I had. Which was 1/2" long washer head screws. with a larger washer behind that. Was able to have them self tap into the studs.

With leathers or cloth. I would be careful. But hair dryer to heat up the material so you can stretch it.