1991 FJ80 Seat Re-cover... A work in progress.

[CruiserJack]

I thought I would share my latest obsession with my rig: recovering the old seats. Since I bought her 2 years ago I have noticed a steady decline in comfort. I also realized that it would be much easier to clean and would be more resistant to staining if they were covered in something other than cloth.

I met with the local upholstery shop (quite a challenege since he could only speak broken english and I can only speak broken Spanish) and soon realized that choosing a color/design was going to be much harder than I expected.

I looked at many different seat color combinations including ones that were traditional or stock to the 80 but I wanted something unique. I decided on staying with the main color of Dark Brown to match the existing interior and added a lighter tan in the middle. These colors were a perfect match to two of the colors in the existing multi-colored fabric that covered the seats and the door panels. What I also noticed was just a hint of orange checkered in the same cloth pattern of the seats and doors. Initially I was going to use the same color as my piping but decided that stitching would be a little more subtle.

Below is a picture I was able to generate from the Katzkin.com website, with the help of their color selector. I used this as my template for the upholstery shop to do their magic.

 

[CruiserJack]

A Few Pics of the Rig's Interior Before

A Few Pics of the Rig's Interior Before

 

[CruiserJack]

Now, a few of when I went by the shop yesterday. Still a work in progress.

 

[CruiserJack]

A couple more...

 

[Sanchez]

Look nice, keep us posted on the final results.

 

[CruiserJack]

BTW. I decided to go with a "marine-grade" vinyl for durability.

Where are the headrests you ask? These are being recovered as well but having "LandCruiser" stitched across them in the same orange as the seats. I used a logo from a FJ40 I believe. Its just something I found online and thought a retro look there would be a nice touch.

This has been real fun to watch my ideas come to life. I hope you enjoy following along with me. I will post more pics soon so you can see the progress.

 

[jlg32281]

I too went with a two tone. I really love how it turned out.

I tried to match the darker part to the dash and brown carpeting. New front seat cushions iproved the comfort as well. A good upholstery shop can make new cushions however you want them, firm, plush, or medium.

 

[khoi911]

Wow the seats look great. May I ask how much this cost? I hope to do this in the near future.

 

[mshelby]

Oh wow! Beautiful job, I really like the Landcruiser logo on the headrest idea.

I am looking for some seat covers myself, if you don't mind how much is this whole job setting you back?

 

[jlg32281]

Looks great, I really like the color combo.

 

[CruiserJack]

Thanks for all the comments on the color and looks. This was after many sleepless nights seraching color combos and even using my daughter's art set to get the right shades.

Cost $1,200.00 includes:

• All 3 rows of marine-grade vinyl (leather rips too easily and is a PITA to keep conditioned)
• Removal of all seats
• Removal of current fabric (will be selling soon if anyone is interested)
• Rebuild of cushions in front 2 seats
• Coordination with embroidery shop for headrest logo
• Double stitching around all seats
• Embroidery of LandCruiser Logo
• Installing all custom made seat covers and headrests
• Reinstallation of seats

I know there is a vendor who will provide a kit with all 3 rows+ of leather for $950.00 but I could not get an answer from him about color options after sending 2 emails and a PM.

In addition if I bought his kit I would have to remove and install (which I have no clue how to do and wanted it to look professional), nor does it include the awesome logo in the headrest. So specifically, I paid $250.00 for someone to (a) use my own color scheme and design, (b) remove and install covers, (c) embrioder the logo on the headrests. I think its a great deal! Your thoughts?

 

[mshelby]

It's high but overall not that bad for the price of new beautiful seats and the kickass logo on the headrest.

I think I am going to steal your idea when I get mine done

 

[CruiserJack]

You and anybody else is welcome to it! We're all MUDDERS!

 

[ShawnTRD]

Looks Great man!

 

[AATLAS1X]

Cost $1,200.00 includes:

• All 3 rows of marine-grade vinyl (leather rips too easily and is a PITA to keep conditioned)

I know there is a vendor who will provide a kit with all 3 rows+ of leather for $950.00 but I could not get an answer from him about color options after sending 2 emails and a PM.

In addition if I bought his kit I would have to remove and install (which I have no clue how to do and wanted it to look professional), nor does it include the awesome logo in the headrest. So specifically, I paid $250.00 for someone to (a) use my own color scheme and design, (b) remove and install covers, (c) embrioder the logo on the headrests. I think its a great deal! Your thoughts?

Few quick points.

1. I think you got a great deal for what you wanted and who did the work.
2. Correct, I do not offer awesome embroidery..
3. $350 is a fair cost to have seats recovered (skins replaced) w/ my kit. Some areas are more around $400
4. There is 3 grades of vinyl, a. Automotive, marine and commercial. I use commercial (much stronger) on all my kits where applicable.
5. Leather is much stronger than vinyl. That's why Saddles, belts, boots, hand bags....ect ect Yes it does need proper care.
6. Leather dissipates heat much better than vinyl.
7. I will replaced any part of my kit for free for up to 3 years if it fails.

As far as never hearing back from me, I am guessing that there is another Cruiserjack that had the same questions?

02-22-10
12:58 PM CruiserJack

02-22-10
09:46 AM bj42LX

02-22-10
09:37 AM bj42LX

02-22-10
09:05 AM CruiserJack

02-22-10
08:08 AM CruiserJack

02-22-10
03:29 AM bj42LX
Messages: 23 3 Weeks Ago

02-20-10
06:09 PM CruiserJack

02-20-10
05:50 PM CruiserJack

02-20-10
04:59 PM CruiserJack

Good luck,

Shane

 

[CruiserJack]

Few quick points.

1. I think you got a great deal for what you wanted and who did the work.
2. Correct, I do not offer awesome embroidery..
3. $350 is a fair cost to have seats recovered (skins replaced) w/ my kit. Some areas are more around $400
4. There is 3 grades of vinyl, a. Automotive, marine and commercial. I use commercial (much stronger) on all my kits where applicable.
5. Leather is much stronger than vinyl. That's why Saddles, belts, boots, hand bags....ect ect Yes it does need proper care.
6. Leather dissipates heat much better than vinyl.
7. I will replaced any part of my kit for free for up to 3 years if it fails.

As far as never hearing back from me, I am guessing that there is another Cruiserjack that had the same questions?

02-22-10
12:58 PM CruiserJack

02-22-10
09:46 AM bj42LX

02-22-10
09:37 AM bj42LX

02-22-10
09:05 AM CruiserJack

02-22-10
08:08 AM CruiserJack

02-22-10
03:29 AM bj42LX
Messages: 23 3 Weeks Ago

02-20-10
06:09 PM CruiserJack

02-20-10
05:50 PM CruiserJack

02-20-10
04:59 PM CruiserJack

Good luck,

Shane

Shane:

WOW! HA! Those PM's are for the seat heater kit I purchased from you. And because of my error we had to track it down and resend it to the correct address. You went above and beyond with that service, even though I paid an additional 25.00! for the snafu in addition to the 160.00 for the kit, which arrived late and I couldnt use because the seats were already on...blah, blah, blah. Still, not your fault.

As for the messages I sent back in November and December regarding seats, color options, etc. not a clue. I wasnt trying to ram you, just letting others know why I chose another route.

As for the leather vs. vinyl??? Whatever. Who cares. I have no agenda just offering an honest opinion and you offered yours.

...."Back to our regularly scheduled thread about seat color combos, headrest logos and cool **** like that."

Cheers!

 

[CruiserJack]

Dropped by the shop today and it looks like it will be Friday before I can get the pictures of the finished product up for you to look at. They still need to finish the 3rd row and all the headrests. Not to mention the cool logo on the front seat headrests.

 

[CruiserJack]

I too went with a two tone. I really love how it turned out.

I tried to match the darker part to the dash and brown carpeting. New front seat cushions iproved the comfort as well. A good upholstery shop can make new cushions however you want them, firm, plush, or medium.

I like the breathable covers you chose. I might be regretting not going that path when it gets to 100 degrees here in Texas come Summer! Nicely done though.

 

[bpassmore]

Jared,
is that your seats with perforated leather?

how much, and who?

 

[mshelby]

Can't wait to see the finished product. I am going to visit an upholstery shop this week to see about new seat covers, I can't afford $1200 for leather thinking of going with a neoprene cover.