Leather/heated seat (front and rear) installation write up

hey everyone. I’m tackling this project with no experience or instructions, so I thought I’d make some instructions for anyone else who wanted to make an attempt.

I’ll post as much detail and as many photos as I can to help out....including any mistakes I make that you might want to avoid.

Katzkin package ($515 shipped) arrived and opened.
Not sure how many cows sacrificed themselves so my gf could have leather seats.

 

As I’m not patient enough to wait for the seat heaters, I decided to start on the headrests so I could get used to working with the material.

I started with the smallest one first (rear center).

Now theoretically, the old covers are supposed to be removed first. However, the headrest fabric is glued on and frequently tears at the foam....so be careful.


Once removed, the new cover can be worked into place and then clips underneath. Pay attention to the side that has visible stitching, as that will face front...and look at the shape of the sides to make sure you are putting it on the right way.

 

On the next one, I thought I’d try to leave the stock upholstery on. It was more work to get the new cover on, but fits more snugly with less wrinkles, and (imho) looks better.

 

I will be watching this , ive selected the Katzkin design just ya e not pulled the trigger this will be a big help
Thanks

 

Did you get the katzkin from ebay?

 

Front carbon fiber seat heaters ($65 shipped) arrived. I ordered the largest I could find.



As you can see, these came with wired relay and harnesses, making wiring much easier.
Only four wires to connect (12v constant, 12v accessory, ground, switch lighting)

I opted for a kit with a single switch that controls both seats (based on where I wanted to mount it), and that has a chrome ring that matches my ac vents.




It even came with a hole saw for making the switch hole.

 

I did.

 

I've had my eye on those for a while. I'll be watching this thread to see how it goes.

 

that is a nice kit. the switch looks legit too. much nicer than some others I seen here.

 

If you’re buying off eBay, wait for one of those 15% off coupons to come up and you can get a stellar deal!

 

I’m about to purchase these. Black with grey wings (instead of that orange) in suede with the diamond stitch on the wings. Then do a black perforated with grey in the holes, and the degreez heated and cooled seats!

 

As this is our fishing truck, bought to pull the boat, and will often be covered in blood and guts....I felt it best to avoid suede or perforated. Lol.

 

Lmao, well played!

 

Headrests all done!
The fronts take a ton of hand strength to put on. As the hole on the bottom is smaller than the headrest, you will have to squeeze the headrest to make it smaller as you force the cover on.



At first I thought the slight wrinkles on the front sides were where the cushions were bunched up. Turns out it’s just from where they were folded in the box, and should smooth out over time.

 

Those look great! Way to save yourself some labor costs!

 

Thank you so much for doing this and providing hints. This is in my future!

Would you mind giving a link to the heater kit?

Do you suggest leaving all of the headrest fabric on?

Thanks- I will be following this thread for sure.

 

Heaters are here...
Sojoy Universal Retrofit Insert Carbon Fiber 2 Seat Heated Kit (Big) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F2MUFRI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2IcdCbHQWSQ78

I chose different ones for the rear though.

Yes. You will definitely get a better result by leaving the stock fabric on the headrests.

 

I had big plans of doing the front two seats today, but a cold front came in...and while I don’t mind the cold, I’m not sure the spray adhesive or leather will want to cooperate.

 

another job not for the faint of heart, headrests look great!
They have a great product. I installed them on my former tacoma and felt the product was better than the fake "leather" offered in the limited trim tundra from the factory.

when you install the heaters dont cut too large of holes in the mats. you prob know all this already. Having a steamer handy will also help out with any post installation wrinkles.

here is a link to a photo album of the tacoma I did, tundra will be similar. will give you a rough idea.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm6Ga7FJ

 

Having a garment steamer on hand will help with the install. You can use the steam the bring the seat foam back to life and also to help remove packaging wrinkles from the backside of the new covers. I've got four Katzkin installs under my belt and next week I'll be tackling my fifth on my new 2019 Sierra work truck

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

Removing the seat covers is fairly simple. I started with the front passenger seat.
Before removing anything, recline any power seats, and then DISCONNECT THE BATTERY.
Good job. Now go grab a beer and let any residual electricity subside.
Ok. On to the seats!
My passenger seat has three harnesses beneath it. Kneel or bend to see what you’re doing, and unplug each one. No need to remember anything. Everything is color coded.
Remove seat. All you need is a 14mm or 9/16” socket and ratchet.
Take off the plastic covers on each side. The inner one has a Phillips screw on the back, and one on the side near the seat belt receptacle.
The outer one is more difficult. There is a Phillips screw on the rear, and one behind the recline handle. Removing the handle can be done alone, but it’s great if you have someone to keep the seat from snapping down on you like a Venus fly trap.
Lift the handle and look at the inner side. There is a plastic tab against a metal tab. Use a pick to slide under the plastic tab and VERY GENTLY lift it just enough for the metal tab to slide under it. Pull handle off.
There are a couple of notches that go around a metal bar, you can see them by peeking in and unhook them. Lastly, there is a flat tab clip inserted into a slot in the frame. You can get to the back side of it if you flip the seat upside down.
If you haven’t already removed headrests, do so. Just squeeze the tab on the base and pull out.

On the underside, the yellow cable is attached several places to the frame. You will need to pop out each of these so you can run the cable through the new cover.

To remove covers, there’s a zipper on the vertical inner side, and various clips that are easily visible and unhooked. On the outer vertical side there are two wide flat straps. If you look from the back and pull the cushion out a little, you can see the clips for those.

Next...if you pull back the seat covers, you will see a bar deeper into the foam with hog rings attached to it. Using diagonal cutters, snip each and remove.

Lastly, you will need to remove the headrest receptacles. If you reach up into the back of the seat from the rear, you can feel push tabs on either side. Squeeze them and pull out from the top. Pay attention to which one was on which side, and what direction they were facing.


Hurray!!! Naked seat!

 

Heaters are next. The ones I got are the perfect size for our trucks. They have peel off strips down each side with double sided tape to hold them in place. I used spray adhesive down the middle for extra hold.


As you lay it, make sure you tuck it into each groove. One on the back and two on the seat.
Mark small rectangles to cut out a space for the hog rings to attach. I made the mistake of marking before I tucked, and had to re-mark them. Oops.

The kit comes with a bunch of wide strips of felt tape. I used these to hold the ends down and also to run the wire harnesses out of the covers to the inner side of the seat.

 

Thank you for doing this write up. Ive been debating on tackling this for the wifes 4runner. This might just be the push I need

 

After removing the drivers seat (3 harnesses, 4 bolts again), I decided to run the wiring.

Now a lot of this depends on where you put your switch, so keep that in mind.

I put mine here...

(Yes, it will be hard to reach on the tailgate.)


You will have to pull the shift bezel (grab and pull up) to get to it with the hole saw. I centered mine, but you may want it a little higher if you want it more visible. Since the plastic is so thick, the switch clips won’t hold it in place. I superglued mine from the back.
The larger part with the cup holders, etc, has a screw under the console lid...then just pulls up. Removing this will give you plenty of access to run your wires.


I ran the harnesses to their proper side (they are labeled), and the bare wiring out the drivers front...so I could tuck it back underneath after connecting it.


Tip: while your seats are out, take time to clean and vacuum areas you can’t normally reach!

 

It’s not that difficult, just tedious. Take your time and you’ll be fine.

 

These katzkins install pretty much like stock ones, with some of improvements. Vertical section now has zippers on both sides, and a zipper at the base instead of clips.

Unzip both sides, and slide the top on. Pull it snug, slide your hand up inside to adjust if you need to. Push plastic bar into slot and install hog rings where the old ones were.

I bought an awesome set of hog ring pliers, and I recommend them for any projects that require hog rings EXCEPT THIS ONE. While it is very handy to not have to load rings, this set is very difficult to fit into the slot and push down far enough to close around both bars. I ended up closing them part way, removing from hog ring pliers, hooking both bars by hand, and closing with regular pliers.



Once rings are in, pull down on cover as you slide the padded fuzzy extensions into the Velcro slots. Keep pressing down along the grooves from the outside of the leather, and keep pulling it tight. Don’t forget to slide the flimsy straps through the cushion slots and hook them in the back. Once the front side is all smoothed out, tuck the bottom zipper through and pull it out the back. Zip both sides down and tuck the extra length of zipper back underneath cover. Pull bottom together and zip. You may need a friend to help zip while you pull it tight. Leave the felt flap unattached while you do the seat area. Attach all hog rings first, then smooth out velcro areas and pull front down. Hook clips underneath. Pull back of bottom cover through and wrap it around beneath and clip it. Run yellow cable where it was earlier and reclip it. Hook felt flap from back underneath.
Put plastic covers back on. You will have to make tiny holes in leather to reinstall screws.
Lastly, press down on top of backrest and you will feel the metal tubes that hold the headrest receptacles. Cut the leather around them. Reinstall receptacles. Install headrest.


Reinstall seats. Plug in harnesses (5 per side)

 

This will be out of order, but when removing cover on power drivers seat, Unscrew the back end, unscrew silver screw from inside front. Pull cover off, but not too far. Unhook two harnesses. Remove. The inner plastic cover is just like the passenger side.

 

You are a god among men!

 

Another thing that may be common sense but could be overlooked...put down a blanket or towel anytime the seat is leather side down.
I did this whole job on my tailgate, so I had to be careful of the rough bedliner.

(Downsides of living in an RV)