Another Leather Option? (1 Viewer)

[Manhattan]

I've been mining posts on replacement leather to determine which company or companies are solid options. As you probably know, Google is a better search tool for 'Mud than 'Mud's search tool. That's where I found Richmond Leather. I've read a few reviews for other cars/trucks, but would love to from anyone here who's installed one of their kits on a 100.

I'm waiting for feedback from a few companies on details, e.g. airbag compatibility, console pad availability, etc.
Here's where I am so far:

Possibles:

• LeatherSeats.com
• Land Cruiser Heaven
• Mosley

Out :

• Ridies - great product, but soooo many reports of abysmal customer service
• Lseat.com - abysmal product - soooo many pics of the seats falling apart in less than two years
• HotRod Upholstery - not airbag compatible

 

[whodoe]

thanks for the post , keep us updated what you decide and progress
thanks

 

[Zuberg]

I used hotrod (wolfham) upholstery leather for my grey front seat bottoms in my 2006. Highly recommend. As far as I know they're airbag compliant. Owner said they were when I discussed it with him.

 

[AZMoonshadow]

We chose to take our 2000 LC100 to a local upholstery shop and they did a fabulous job. The price was right and the quality or the leather and the installation was 1st rate. You might give them a try.

 

[awesomeissquid]

Just a heads up on the Mosley Motors option since that is the route I went a little over a year ago. The leather they provide was previously made by Roadwire Leather which has since been acquired by Katzkin. I am not sure how that change impacts the product, but I assume it is the same, high quality. My order had a couple issues which I think might have been due to that supplier change occurring at the time.

In my original order, some of the replacement leather covers were not made from full leather and had side panels made of vinyl. The team at Mosley Motors was great to work with and confirmed this should have been full leather and had the correct pieces sent over. Unfortunately, as the install progressed over the next month, I found that the vinyl pieces to cover the 2nd row seat backs were cut to the incorrect size. I reached out again and was told they would work to get those replacement pieces sent. Since that time I followed up a few times without getting anywhere. That left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth especially given how much the set cost.

Besides that issue, the leather looks and feels great and has held up well without any signs of wear and tear.

Edit: After reaching out to Mosley Motors again they are sending the replacement vinyl. Looking forward to finally finishing the install.

 

[Ridgerunner78]

I used a drivers seat cushion cover from Richmond Auto Upholstery, bought through e-bay, on my 2004 LC. Overall the cover is fine and will work for me. If was to get picky about it I'd give it a 3 out of 5 stars. I spent 5 years in the upholstery industry and gave the cover a good look for build quality etc.

1- The material is nothing special, it's just run of the mill aftermarket leather available from upholstery supply houses. The grain/pattern of the leather and vinyl doesn't match the OEM covers. Perhaps not a big deal if you're replacing everything, but it's noticeable (at least to me) since I just replaced the drivers seat cushion cover.

2 - The sewing quality is also nothing special. There were a few spots where the french stitch (the visible double stitching around the perimeter of the cushion) didn't catch the back side properly. Most people probably don't care and wouldn't notice, but it can effect the way the cover lays over the foam and can look uneven along that seam. It's something I would have not gotten away with back in my sewing days.

3 - The new listing material is different than OEM. Listings are where the seat cover seams are tied down to the seat foam with hog rings. The OEM covers use a cloth sleeve with a metal rod running through it for the hog rings to crimp around, the new cover uses a different style where a strip of hard(ish) plastic is attached to the cloth listing and the hog rings crimp round that plastic strip. In my opinion it is less rigid than the metal rods and can cause dimples in the cover where the hog rings are.

4 - The plastic clips that attach perimeter of the cover to the seat frame seemed rather flimsy and are pretty thin where they are sewn onto the cover. I had two spots where they started to tear as I was putting the cover on.

5 - The seat heaters are attached to the seat covers (at least they are on my '04, but I think most of the LC and LXs are that way). I had to remove the heater elements from my old cover and attach it to the new cover. Pretty easy to remove, but kind of a pain to tie back onto the new covers, I used some heavy upholstery thread I have laying around. This probably applies to most of the aftermarket covers.

So, as I mentioned above, I'm satisfied and the cover is doing it's job, but I wouldn't give it full marks for overall quality. Hope that helps.

 

[a_traut_man]

My DS seat bottom is split and came across US Auto Seat (based out of Houston) on another thread somewhere in here. Can’t remember who the OP was but their feedback was positive and USautoseat let’s you order just the seat bottoms.

Personally haven’t used but plan on it since all I need is one seat bottom.

For 1998 to 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Driver Passenger Leather Seat Cover Gray - Us auto seat nation

For 1998 to 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Driver Passenger Leather Seat Cover Gray - Us auto seat nation

usautoseatnation.com

 

[Manhattan]

Good info - thanks guys!
@Zuberg That's good to hear about Hotrod Upholstery. I think what may be going on with the leather replacements is similar to bumpers - crash testing is expensive. So, they're making the seat covers (like the bumper guys) to comply, e.g. the pockets, stitching, etc., but can't state on their site that the seat covers are airbag compliant. Ridies is the same way - I got an email that they are made to comply but haven't tested and assume no responsibility.

@AZMoonshadow "Tony's Upholstery & Trim" - an old school upholstery shop in Atlanta - is actually my last stop before picking premade seatcovers. Tony did an amazing job on the seats in my '84 Pickup. So, once I know what good premade seat covers will cost, I can get his quote to make "custom" covers and his cost to install the premade covers. I'm hoping the custom route is in range.

@Ridgerunner78 can you come with me when I meet with the upholstery shop? Seriously though - thanks (!) for that info. I'm better informed to evaluate these now... and realizing I still don't know &@^# about this!

 

[Patassa]

My DS seat bottom is split and came across US Auto Seat (based out of Houston) on another thread somewhere in here. Can’t remember who the OP was but their feedback was positive and USautoseat let’s you order just the seat bottoms.

Personally haven’t used but plan on it since all I need is one seat bottom.

For 1998 to 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Driver Passenger Leather Seat Cover Gray - Us auto seat nation

For 1998 to 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Driver Passenger Leather Seat Cover Gray - Us auto seat nation

usautoseatnation.com

Very helpful as I just need to replace my Ridies driver seat bottom now bc it's already cracking and looks like s***. Anyone know where I can find just the piece to cover the center console? Also ridies, also looks like s*** now.

 

[SteveH]

@a_traut_man - looks like the same bunch is selling on eBay. I'm about to pull the trigger on a gray seat bottom for my '99 LX.

FITS 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Lexus LX470 Driver Bottom Leather Seat Cover GRAY | eBay

2002 Lexus LX 470 4x4 AWD 4WD. 1998 Lexus LX 470 4x4 AWD 4WD. 1999 Lexus LX 470 4x4 AWD 4WD. 2000 Lexus LX 470 4x4 AWD 4WD. 2001 Lexus LX 470 4x4 AWD 4WD. 2003 Lexus LX 470 4x4 AWD 4WD. 2004 Lexus LX 470 4x4 AWD 4WD.

www.ebay.com

 

[modus]

I’ve seen 5 sets of the Land Cruiser Heaven seats at their shop when I dropped off my LX for service. Top quality leather and great fitment. My next mod for sure.

 

[Live to Ski]

My DS seat bottom is split and came across US Auto Seat (based out of Houston) on another thread somewhere in here. Can’t remember who the OP was but their feedback was positive and USautoseat let’s you order just the seat bottoms.

Personally haven’t used but plan on it since all I need is one seat bottom.

For 1998 to 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Driver Passenger Leather Seat Cover Gray - Us auto seat nation

For 1998 to 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Driver Passenger Leather Seat Cover Gray - Us auto seat nation

usautoseatnation.com

Per the vendor today: years that incoporate airbags (mine in '04) need to be modified by profesional to replace some stitching w. breakaway stiching.

file this under "nothing is easy"

 

[Manhattan]

I’ve seen 5 sets of the Land Cruiser Heaven seats at their shop when I dropped off my LX for service. Top quality leather and great fitment. My next mod for sure.

Land Cruiser Heaven is moving up on the list!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Land Cruiser Heaven is moving up on the list!

Not what is on other threads! Be cautious

 

[Manhattan]

Not what is on other threads! Be cautious

Damn. Really? Are you referring to other 100 Series threads or 80 Series? So I know where to search.

 

[CBB]

I have the LCH set on my 01, so I can't comment on airbag fitment. That being said, aside from the grain being a little coarser than the back seats (which I could have gone with the upgraded option if I had thought harder about it). Color is perfect with the door panels and back seats. They're wearing very nicely for the most part. Install was about 4.5 years ago. These are from install, but I can get some updated photos soon.

 

[a_traut_man]

Per the vendor today: years that incoporate airbags (mine in '04) need to be modified by profesional to replace some stitching w. breakaway stiching.

file this under "nothing is easy"

NOOOOOO

I wonder if that statement also applies to seat bottom only? The side airbag is along the edge of the seat back only I thought

 

[Live to Ski]

NOOOOOO

I wonder if that statement also applies to seat bottom only? The side airbag is along the edge of the seat back only I thought

don't know enought about the details. All I know is, for the newer rigs, why take that risk? there are airbag compatible ones out there, just pricey.

 

[D21FJ60]

Damn. Really? Are you referring to other 100 Series threads or 80 Series? So I know where to search.

They have a penchant for taking money and never shipping product or shipping it months late.
Quality seems to be on point, if you get it.

 

[Manhattan]

They have a penchant for taking money and never shipping product or shipping it months late.
Quality seems to be on point, if you get it.

So Land Cruiser Heaven is just like Ridies, i.e. great product but abysmal customer service service? This is killing me. Mosely and custom (local shop) are starting to look like the only options