katzkin install on 2019 double cab

After months of going back and forth, I finally decided to pull the trigger and do it myself. I was going to pay $1600 and have a pro do it, but I said F-it. I'm pretty handy and hands on, and after reading numerous posts and watching many videos, I told myself I'm ready.. I purchased the $550 deluxe kit from Touch-ups on Ebay.


A few hours later, and I know why they charge at least $1000 for labor. It is a PITA!! A royal one at that!! I'm not one to not cut any corners, and my God, it is frustrating.

I know pros get it done in a day, but judging my speed and cursing, it will probably take 2-3 days. I'll keep this post updated.

 

Check that little fridge I see in the photo and see if you can find a beer in there.....will make the process much smoother

 

Hahaha right on! I already got a tall one

 

Well if you are like me if something says 30 min install.....that means half the day. Guess that makes life interesting....lol

 

What did u use to unbolt the two rear seats. It’s a t50. But I only have a Allen key type. And can’t get enough leverage. And also not too motivated to start lol

 

Yeah I think ill pay someone lol

 

T50 torx with a 20v impact

 

I only have a t40. Couldn’t find a t50 for my pact

 

Hey!

Trade some of that toilet paper and paper towels for an install haha

 

Yeah In a couple years I want to put a set on mine. I watched a video of the install. Definitely going to take it somewhere and have them do it. If I did it myself it would be a one seat per day kind of thing.

 

Rear "jump" seat is done. I haven't put the plastic covers on. It took a while to get it where I liked. There are a few wrinkles left after I steamed, and used the heat gun. Definitely a time consuming process, but I want to do it right. I took the bottom katzkin off once after I already put the hog clamps and buttoned everything up. I wasn't satisfied with the results.

 

The wrinkles will work out over time; if you’re like me you’ll be impatient and try to perfect it. When I did my 4runner it took me some convincing not to remove the first seat cover for a third time and try to make things perfect. A few days in the sun and they all settled in nicely. Each seat will be easier than the last as you’ll get better and learn some tricks along the way. The contortions you have to go through with those big ring pliers will make your hands sore as well.

I haven’t mustered up the courage to do this on my tundra yet and after doing my 4runner and am afraid that I will just bite the bullet and have a shop do it. I was extremely satisfied doing it on my own, but it was one of those things that after I was finished I told myself I would never do it again!!!!

 

i have a weakness for XR's ...sweet bike

 

Thanks! Thats my sons XR80. Picked it up last year in almost un-ridden condition. Its a 2003 model, but looked like it was rode like 5 times or so. My son has put more scratches on it than it came with!

 

I hear ya! I'm having a hard motivating myself this morning. My hands hurt. My body hurts from all the contorting and removal of seats from the double cab.

You are right, I picked the tricks quite quickly. It took me about 2 hours to put on the seat cushion cover the first time. I was reluctant to pull it off and do it again, but there was a large flap/wrinkle that I knew would piss me off down the road. I think it took me only about 45 minutes to re-install it correctly.

I'm tired and sore, but this is my last "half-ass" work week, so it's either now, or waste my weekend messing with it.

 

Good for you tackling this! You will love the result! I did the same kit in my CrewMax and I still love getting in the truck.

Getting the rods on the leather lined up correctly with the rods in the cushion Before you hogring them together is key to avoiding wrinkles. Small wrinkles will settle after a while, and heat helps.

 

Nice!

 

Finished up last night around 1:30 am. I still need to do the headrests. For right now, the cloth ones are back on the seats. The fitment is pretty good considering it's my first time (and probably the last time). The 2 front seats are the slightest bit loose on the airbag bolster side. There were 2 straps holding the foam down on the OEM cloth, and the Katzkin came with 2 straps also. I couldn't really figure out how to attach these. If I strapped it the OEM style way, then the straps would be too floppy and just dangle around. If I put them to where they were taught, then they would compress the foam a little on the bolsters, and slightly mishape them. Anyways, I'm still very happy the way it came out. Of course I double checked everything, used heat and steam, and even re-did a cover. The look is badass.

My hands hurt. My body hurts. I hardly have any sleep haha. I wanted to get them done before the weekend, as I have already been dicking around with them for 2 full days.

On a side note..unplugging, and working around the airbags was a little sketchy. You have to re-route the yellow airbag wire through the holes in the new skinz. When I connected my battery, and turned on the truck this morning, I was ready for that thing to go off in my face! Hahaha.

 

Nice work!! A lot of labor but looking good. I had a neighbor from Vietnam who had an upholstery shop behind his house. Occasionally I'd go over and watch him do his thing. I remember that when he was working with leather he'd use a heat gun to help with fit. Everything from scratch. Hand cut and hand sewn. You did quite well. Not freaking easy at all!

 

After reading thru this thread...I’m going with Clazzio. That’s looks like one bitch of a job

 

Too be completely honest, I don't know if I will do this again. I was already committed though, but next time I think I will pay someone. Although you never know, I did start to get the hang of it.

 

Good job! You’re gonna love them. And just stretch the new leather over the cloth on the headrests. No point in taking the cloth off.

 

Hell on the hands...Ive done a few sets...never again!

 

That's what I'm sayin. I'm almost 40, and definitely feel it after this install. Not only hands and forearms, but lower back from all the repositioning of the seats during leather install. Also, contorting your body in odd postions for removal and re-installation of seats.

I say this..next time(highly doubtful) but just in case, I would get a buddy and pay him $100 and feed him and supply beer. He does not have to be knowledgeable about this install. He would be there just to hold down the skinz while I apply the hog rings. That alone takes a toll on your hands. He will also be beneficial to your back for any lifting. Yeah..that's a great tip!

 

How do you disconnect the center seatbelt

 

Hell I thought my Coverking neosupreme covers were hard! Lmao. Nice job.

 

I used a pick. You may be able to use a small flat head, but you will probably damage the plastic more than you want to. You will still put some marks on it even with a pick. Once you wedge the pick between the two covers, you should see some red. Go ahead and push that red button with the pick or flathead, and the belt will snap open. A really stupid design. Why put a button, then a cover around it that looks like it was never meant to be open? Maybe a safety thing, but there should at least be an access point without having to damage the cover.

 

I just did it in two seconds. That is the worst design