My goal was to refresh the seat foam as it feels like I'm sitting on metal. I decided to pull the trigger on new leather as well. I ended up replacing my driver and passenger seat leather along with the center console. I decided on Land Cruiser Heaven product. They have a laundry list of bad reviews but they all seem related to people who dropped off their vehicles for LCH to do the repair.
There are a few good YouTube videos out there already so I won't bother writing up a detailed how-to but the focus here is going to be more on the LCH product and if it's worth the money.
Verdict on LCH Product for 100 Series
Despite all the poor reviews on Land Cruiser Heaven (LCH) , I've had a great experience. Customer service was very responsive but note it did take 2-3 months instead of the estimated 2-3 weeks, I wasn't in a rush so no big deal. They claim the product comes from South America. They handle the import and send it along to the end user in the states. The shipment arrived in great condition and included everything needed to install except the tools.
All and all this is a top notch product and well worth the money. When it comes to leather replacements you get what you pay for. In all reality this product is cheap considering where it comes from and the leg work to get it here to the US.
I went with the 100% leather option and replaced the center console as well. The only complaint I can really think of is the lack of pre fabricated holes for arm rest, head rest, and seat frame.
Resources
(Should be right but don't trust my) Part #'s relevant to my 2002 LC
>> Part Diagram Here
General Install Notes
So far what I've noticed is the install really is not that bad, don't pay someone to do this for you! Use the money you saved for hog ring pliers and do it yourself. Most screw ups can be reversed so just go for it. The hardest part so far has just been removing all the plastic bits from the seat and hoping they don't break . Getting the seat pans back into the frame is also a challenge. The seat is sharp so prepare to get sliced open. Get a nice solid table and a buddy to help stretch the leather over the foam otherwise it would be a huge challenge.
There are a few good YouTube videos out there already so I won't bother writing up a detailed how-to but the focus here is going to be more on the LCH product and if it's worth the money.
Verdict on LCH Product for 100 Series
Despite all the poor reviews on Land Cruiser Heaven (LCH) , I've had a great experience. Customer service was very responsive but note it did take 2-3 months instead of the estimated 2-3 weeks, I wasn't in a rush so no big deal. They claim the product comes from South America. They handle the import and send it along to the end user in the states. The shipment arrived in great condition and included everything needed to install except the tools.
All and all this is a top notch product and well worth the money. When it comes to leather replacements you get what you pay for. In all reality this product is cheap considering where it comes from and the leg work to get it here to the US.
I went with the 100% leather option and replaced the center console as well. The only complaint I can really think of is the lack of pre fabricated holes for arm rest, head rest, and seat frame.
Resources
(Should be right but don't trust my) Part #'s relevant to my 2002 LC
>> Part Diagram Here
- LCH Leather Replacement Here
- Bottom Seat Foam PS- 71501-60070
- Bottom Seat Foam DS - 715002-60090
- Seat Foam Back PS -71630-60160
- Seat Foam Back DS - 71640-60100
General Install Notes
So far what I've noticed is the install really is not that bad, don't pay someone to do this for you! Use the money you saved for hog ring pliers and do it yourself. Most screw ups can be reversed so just go for it. The hardest part so far has just been removing all the plastic bits from the seat and hoping they don't break . Getting the seat pans back into the frame is also a challenge. The seat is sharp so prepare to get sliced open. Get a nice solid table and a buddy to help stretch the leather over the foam otherwise it would be a huge challenge.
- Tools Needed
> Hog Ring Pliers. Get a good pair like these here
> Diagonal cutters for removing hog rings. Normal pair is fine but a pair with a longer neck would be nice
> Clip removal tool and thick flat head screwdriver for getting into tight spots and working the leather and wire clips off
>> I'm going with 3M #74 Orange instead of their #77 product. The #74 is specifically designed for foam and fabric. You will need this for your seat heater elements along with the vinyl replacement on the back of the seat.
Install Time
> It ended up taking me 8+ hours per seat! - Only the plastic side trim pieces and the 8 bolts that hold the seat bottom and back in need to be removed. If you're taking off more hardware stop and take a step back, it probably doesn't need to be removed.
- Take your time with the plastic trim pieces and refer to the TLC disassembly breakdown above. Take pictures along the way and hope you don't break any tabs
- You don't need to remove the thick wire loom from the seat pan.
- The seat heater elements are held in with small pink plastic tabs. Cut them and be careful not to damage the heater element.
- The foam on the seat back usually isn't all that bad. Instead of replacing buy a cheap steamer and watch it come back to life.
- In most cases the bottom foam is pretty mangled. If you leather has opened up expect it to be nasty in there and the seat foam / metal rods will most likely rip out. If you decide to do this repair plan on changing your seat foam bottom. If you are not replacing your foam be really careful when removing hog rings to not screw up the metal rod that is embedded in the foam.
- The seat heater element is surprisingly durable however my drive side had a burnt spot. I cut the wire and spliced it back together and hope it will hold up.
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