ARCHIVE Metric TLC 96-02 4Runner Leather Seat Covers (Picture Heavy)

[jynx]

Shane, I hope I am ok to put this up over here, if not please feel free to delete this thread.



GREAT NEWS for all you 3rd Gen Guys!!!

See Link in Post 10, these covers are now Available for sale as a regular item thru Metric TLC.



Ok, so anyone who has been in any of the TLC forums knows Shane at Metric TLC and that he makes some killer Leather Seat covers to replace any 40, 60 and 80 seats as well as the LX450, and 100 series. When I got my 98 4Runner the leather was decent for 169k miles but the drivers seat was pretty worn and I decided I wanted to put some new covers in. Well I took a shot in the dark and PM'd Shane to see if he had ever done any 3rd Gen 4Runners and after a few email exchanges and some pictures, we struck the deal.

After a couple of weeks I got the big box at my office. I opted for both rows in a darker brown leather with tan stitching, a set of his seat heaters and a new drivers seat cushion, going all in on this one. I sent him my console lid and he even recovered that for me to match. I couldn't stand it an I threw that back on that day to see how it was going to look.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/2013-03-12_11-43-02_8512_zpse0f656c6.jpg
Pretty darn close to the dark brown trim color and I love the tan stitching.

So I finally found the time to start working on the seats. I went with the rears to start with because they seemed to be a good point to cut my teeth on this upholstery business.

The bottoms come out with two bolts at the hinge. To remove the backs you need to remove the carpet cover from the back, a screw driver or a panel removal tool will work to pop the push pins out of the frame. Once the back is exposed you just remove 2 bolts and the back comes right out.

I started with the bottoms, there is a plastic edging that hold the cover onto the metal seat pan. Then 4 hog rings need to be removed to separate the cover from the seat foam.

Here, 2 on each side

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3256_zps608ef0b7.jpg

Then the cover comes off.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3257_zps520d4468.jpg

New bottom
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3259_zps46bed257.jpg

Need to remove and reuse the little metal rods that come from the OE cover
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3261_zps9ef9400b.jpg
The material that Shane uses for the sleeves is a little heavier than the OE material.

Then 4 New hog rings to hold the bottom on

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3262_zps8f8334d5.jpg

As with his other kits, Shane provided a bag of new Hog Rings and a pair of pliers to install them with his kits, talk about a one-stop-shop.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3265_zps7af8e4d0.jpg

Then you just have to fight the plastic edging back onto the metal pan and Ta-Da

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3267_zps71dbb456.jpg

Bottom done and ready to go back in.

Now to start the back

Started like this

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3270_zps833dec25.jpg

There are 14 hog rings (+/-) holding the cover onto the frame

Then the headrest and latch pull handle trim pieces have to come out so you can get to the one pair of hog rings holding the cover to the cushion

On these there isn't a metal rod, but a plastic one that is made into the material

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3271_zpsd122502e.jpg

Using the supplied utility knife (yep came with that too) I cut the plastic rod off

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3272_zpsa86036dc.jpg

Now you are ready to prep the new cover

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3273_zpsa16dddec.jpg

Note the black edging and the pre-cut holes for the push pins to go back thru. On these covers Shane uses a heavy plastic edging that you use to hog ring the edges of the cover back onto the frame, however, there is a small hole in the edging and if you cut one end off of the original metal rod then you can actually slide the metal rod back into the plastic to give it some added rigidity.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3268_zps3b1d1256.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3269_zpsf620cd08.jpg

I did one completely before I realized this and I went back and fixed it. The plastic trim bows considerably and the addition of the rod seems to keep more even tension on the whole length of the fabric.

After fighting with those 14 hog rings again you end up with this

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3274_zps1dd81aa8.jpg

Cut the holes for the headrests and BAMM!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3275_zps88fb7783.jpg

Then four bolts and you are back in business.

I actually did the drivers side last night so below are a few pictures of it next to the original passenger side seat.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3252_zps74289db8.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3249_zps887b5d15.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3253_zps3f365aab.jpg

The flash gives it a slightly yellowish tint, but the brown actually matches the dark brown trim very closely in the natural light.

I did the passenger side tonight and I will get a couple pictures of the completed pair tomorrow.

The texture and quality of the new leather is fantastic. The old leather is slick and worn, and the new leather has a very soft feel.

Aside from my hands and fingers being very sore, I am very happy with the end result. Shane makes a top quality product and if any of you 3rd Gen guys are looking for some new leathers, then he could be your guy. If you are looking for a good quality replacement cover, then look him up.

I still have to do the fronts and will document that in a later post.

I also will be giving everything a good solid cleaning and taking some good pictures of the finished product. I will do a better job of getting "before" pictures of the front seats when that starts.

Going out of town this weekend and the wife would not be happy sitting in the floor, so the fronts most likely won't start until next week.

And a Huge Thanks to Shane for working with me on these. Anyone who has spoken to him knows he is a great guy. Excellent resource and very helpful.

And who knew there was a 20 image limit on a post. Now I do.

-Matthew

 

[AATLAS1X]

Hey Mathew.


Glad you're happy.

It's been a long time since we did the taco. The brown is a great color choice.

Now I know what the arm rests look like, so I want to re cover those. Can you ship them to me? I have lots of scraps so it will only cost you shipping.

Also to my surprise your console cove was glued to the foam and was not like the Land Cruisers making for a challenge to recover. Hope you're happy with it as its not perfect in my eyes.

 

[jynx]

I am very pleased. And sure I will pack up the armrests and ship them to you.

As far as the console, the little places that you are told me about are hardly noticeable and as I use it more and mash my elbow into it, it is working itself out. I think it will turn out better then you think.

It is amazing how much the new seats have changed the look of the interior. I can't wait to get the fronts in.

 

[AATLAS1X]

They should pop right off like the LC'd do. Box em up and send them to me. Cause the more I look more I look at them, then more they bother me. Side note. It never entered my mind when we patterned my 100 series year ago to match the brown plastic. When a buddy wanted his silver LX in brown I thought he was nuts and it would look horrible. My only contribution was to use tan stitching to break up the contrast at the doors as the panels were tan. It works out so well the tan door panel looks correct with brown door handles.

It looks rich and factory correct and I prefer the color. Again, glad you're happy. Now send those handles to me so I can pattern them!

Shane

 

[T4R2014]

Those seats look fantastic. I love the center console cover. When funds permit(hopefully very soon), I definitely placing an order from Metric TLC.

On a side note, can these covers be made by you guys in a color that is identical to OEM? Also, do you guys have the seat stitching patterns that match the original? By that I mean how the way the new ones are stitched together look different from the originals.

Oh and before I forget, is the lower cushion of the front seat completely leather and is it mixed with vinyl? The OEM's use leather + vinyl on the sides and it tears easily after time.

 

[jynx]

I don't want to speak out of turn, but Shane does have a light tan leather that would match very closely to the OE color. The hydes he uses actually have a grain to them so the texture will give the appearance of a slightly different color. You can look at some of the pictures in the 100 and 80 series leather threads to see the lighter tan. I chose the darker color because I have a small child, a dog and work in some dirty places, figured it would hide the dirt better. He could do a two-tone for a few bucks more I think.

Also, the pattern he has is for the sport seats and they have a slightly different center pattern than the limited seats. I am going to offer my old covers to him in case he wants another pattern to compare. I noticed the difference in where the seams were too, but since I am doing both rows I don't mind, besides it will be one of those things that most people will never notice but will make a true Toyota guy look at you funny and ask how you got those seats, as if the non-factory color wouldn't be the first clue.

I have the passenger seat completely installed now. I will try and get some pictures tomorrow. I must admit getting in and having the cabin saturated with the smell of leather is pretty sweet these days. I hope to get the driver's side done this weekend.

 

[T4R2014]

Jynx, thank you for the response. I'm looking forward to the pictures of the fronts. The new driver's cushion must make the seat feel brand new.

BTW, the sport seats came in 2 different patterns. Factory installed leather sport seats had a pattern identical to the Limited's. The dealer/port installed leather sport seats are the pattern you just installed on yours.

 

[hrt4me]

thanks for the detailed write-up with pics, but I'm wondering how much it all cost...?

I am interested in just re-upholstering the front seats, with seat heaters...

 

[jynx]

Finally Installed Pictures

So I finally cleaned the truck out and got some great pictures of the finished install of these covers.

I will let them speak for them selves.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3591_zpsc9af9a61.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3592_zps55b7c797.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3596_zpse2d9c1bc.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3603_zpsf21d63e8.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3602_zps34b43d15.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3601_zps2ade8f40.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3594_zpscedc73d1.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3605_zps4832bb92.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/mrtucker80/IMG_3597_zps723fcf84.jpg

http://s84.photobucket.com/user/mrtucker80/media/IMG_3602_zps34b43d15.jpg.html

They are awesome. I tried to get the pics using the natural light so you can see how well the color actually matches the dark brown of the stock interior.

 

[AATLAS1X]

We have added the '96-'02 SR5 Limited covers to our line up.

http://www.shop.metrictlc.com/1996-02-Toyota-4Runner-SR5-Limited-Replacement-Leather-Covers-S-01.htm