Some of you might recall that I posted a couple of threads last year about trying to get a local Houston firm who supplies Gulf States' Toyota (distributor) their leather seat kits for new cars to build some replacement leather seating surfaces for us. After much patience and perseverence it looks like this is going to happen. I have agreed to surrender my OEM covers so they can build the digital templates and I have put up the $$ for the initial design work. So sometime in the next 45-60 days I will be able to start ordering single pieces or complete front sets, in either oak or gray only.
Some things to consider:
I am sure most of you would prefer to just order a driver's lower, as is the case with my seats and most of the 80s I have owned. The problem with ordering just one section, such as the drivers lower cover, is that it is NOT going to match your seat back. Seat leather changes color drastically over time and a brand new lower section is going to look like a totally different color than your seat back. I was shocked to see how big of a difference there was in even my 100,000 mile passenger front, which I thought was immaculate, and the leather sample. Ironically the oak leather sample matched my third-row, unused seats perfectly, matched the second row almost identically, but was way off versus the fronts, all due to age, sunlight fade, wear and the accumulation of dirt. So if you choose to only order one piece, I don't want to hear or read one single post about the color not matching>>>>you will have been warned.
Pricing looks like this:
- The full front kit will consist of four pieces, two upper and two lower covers for the driver and passenger electric front seats. This kit will cost you $500. Compared to the $400+ Toyota price for just the driver's lower piece, I think that's a hell of a deal.
- If you want the driver's set only, then its $300.
- If you want a driver's lower only, its $175.
All prices are PLUS SHIPPING and headrests are NOT INCLUDED at this price. Texas residents will have to pay 8.25% sales tax. These kits will feature leather seating surfaces and vinyl sides and backs, JUST LIKE OEM TOYOTA. They will be digitally cut, baseball stitched and backed, JUST LIKE OEM. They will fasten just like the OEM covers and you can either install yourself or have a shop do it. When I install my kit I will create an install DVD for the DIYers and it will be included.
Initially I will only be offering original tan or gray colors and only for front seats with electric mechanisms. Two-tone Anniversary, non-electric seat options and middle row seat packages may come later this year, depending upon demand.
If you wish to purchase any of these replacement pieces then I need you to email me so I can put you on the initial production list. (Please don't PM your order requests and don't post them here.) In that email include your full name and address and telephone number along with exactly what you will want from the above choices and be sure to denote color. Once I establish the production date with the supplier, I will post it here as a cut-off for the first production run and I will then send each person on my list a leather color sample via US Mail along with instructions for payment, either via PayPal or check to me. The initial order will then be placed based solely on who has paid me. If you just want a sample at first, just email me for sample only. For purposes of the initial leather buy, only put yourself on the order list if you are prepared to order.
Please feel free to post, PM or email any questions you might have.
Jim
Some things to consider:
I am sure most of you would prefer to just order a driver's lower, as is the case with my seats and most of the 80s I have owned. The problem with ordering just one section, such as the drivers lower cover, is that it is NOT going to match your seat back. Seat leather changes color drastically over time and a brand new lower section is going to look like a totally different color than your seat back. I was shocked to see how big of a difference there was in even my 100,000 mile passenger front, which I thought was immaculate, and the leather sample. Ironically the oak leather sample matched my third-row, unused seats perfectly, matched the second row almost identically, but was way off versus the fronts, all due to age, sunlight fade, wear and the accumulation of dirt. So if you choose to only order one piece, I don't want to hear or read one single post about the color not matching>>>>you will have been warned.
Pricing looks like this:
- The full front kit will consist of four pieces, two upper and two lower covers for the driver and passenger electric front seats. This kit will cost you $500. Compared to the $400+ Toyota price for just the driver's lower piece, I think that's a hell of a deal.
- If you want the driver's set only, then its $300.
- If you want a driver's lower only, its $175.
All prices are PLUS SHIPPING and headrests are NOT INCLUDED at this price. Texas residents will have to pay 8.25% sales tax. These kits will feature leather seating surfaces and vinyl sides and backs, JUST LIKE OEM TOYOTA. They will be digitally cut, baseball stitched and backed, JUST LIKE OEM. They will fasten just like the OEM covers and you can either install yourself or have a shop do it. When I install my kit I will create an install DVD for the DIYers and it will be included.
Initially I will only be offering original tan or gray colors and only for front seats with electric mechanisms. Two-tone Anniversary, non-electric seat options and middle row seat packages may come later this year, depending upon demand.
If you wish to purchase any of these replacement pieces then I need you to email me so I can put you on the initial production list. (Please don't PM your order requests and don't post them here.) In that email include your full name and address and telephone number along with exactly what you will want from the above choices and be sure to denote color. Once I establish the production date with the supplier, I will post it here as a cut-off for the first production run and I will then send each person on my list a leather color sample via US Mail along with instructions for payment, either via PayPal or check to me. The initial order will then be placed based solely on who has paid me. If you just want a sample at first, just email me for sample only. For purposes of the initial leather buy, only put yourself on the order list if you are prepared to order.
Please feel free to post, PM or email any questions you might have.
Jim
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