Ridies Seat Covers (for Ivory interior) what color to pick?

[flintknapper]

I have a 99 LX470 with front seats that I want to recover before they get any worse.

Those of you who have used the 'Ridies' product for either a Land Cruiser or LX470 with IVORY interior. (If another manufacturer is better I am open to that).

Which leather color did you settle on (to best duplicate the OEM)? I have samples....but I am undecided on which is the closest match. Often times a small swatch/sample looks completely different than a large amount of leather (full seat).

Any suggestions or pics of the color you used would be greatly appreciated. I am ready to order and need to decide.

Thank You in advance.

Flint

 

[Stik11987]

@flintknapper, I'm in the same boat. I have a 2004 LX470 that I need to redo and don't know about the color.

FYI, I just had my wife's 2000 LC redone with the LSeat covers. They are great, but the texture is more coarse than factory and I don't plan on doing my LX back seat so the Napa option from Ridies seems to be the best for me.

I'm going to order the samples from Ridies today.

 

[flintknapper]

@flintknapper, I'm in the same boat. I have a 2004 LX470 that I need to redo and don't know about the color.

FYI, I just had my wife's 2000 LC redone with the LSeat covers. They are great, but the texture is more coarse than factory and I don't plan on doing my LX back seat so the Napa option from Ridies seems to be the best for me.

I'm going to order the samples from Ridies today.

That is my plan as well....(going with the Nappa leather). The regular leather is just too rough/grainy to match what is in there now.

But the color selection is giving me pause. I wanted to see what anyone has done to try to match the Ivory leather as closely as possible. I have a few samples....but would like your opinion when you get yours. Unless someone comes forward and already knows the best the color choice.

 

[LCT]

I have a 99 LX470 with front seats that I want to recover before they get any worse.

Those of you who have used the 'Ridies' product for either a Land Cruiser or LX470 with IVORY interior. (If another manufacturer is better I am open to that).

Which leather color did you settle on (to best duplicate the OEM)? I have samples....but I am undecided on which is the closest match. Often times a small swatch/sample looks completely different than a large amount of leather (full seat).

Any suggestions or pics of the color you used would be greatly appreciated. I am ready to order and need to decide.

Thank You in advance.

Flint

View attachment 2880957

Closest match to OEM is “Light Tan”.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Closest match to OEM is “Light Tan”.

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That's a really good match.

Any recommendations for the stone interior?

 

[LCT]

That's a really good match.

Any recommendations for the stone interior?

I went with Nappa leather in Light Grey for my current LC. Pretty good match.

 

[awesomeissquid]

Closest match to OEM is “Light Tan”.

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View attachment 2882636

Is that the light tan stitching as well?

 

[ClassyJalopy]

I went with Nappa leather in Light Grey for my current LC. Pretty good match.

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Very nice! Did you install yourself or had a shop handle that? How much did the shop charge, if you went that route? Does @Ridies still have the issue with the plastic clamp thingy at the back of front seat being too short?

 

[LCT]

Very nice! Did you install yourself or had a shop handle that? How much did the shop charge, if you went that route? Does @Ridies still have the issue with the plastic clamp thingy at the back of front seat being too short?

I let the shop install seat leathers and mass backed carpet. About $500 for the seats.
I’m not sure about the J channel this time around. It’s pretty easy to swap from your current seats.

 

[LCT]

Is that the light tan stitching as well?

Yes.

 

[flintknapper]

Closest match to OEM is “Light Tan”.

View attachment 2882635

View attachment 2882636

Excellent. That is what I had pretty much settled on as well (light tan) and it looks to be a decent match. Thank You for taking the time to post the pics and confirm the color. It is a big help to me and others. Now I can go ahead and order....confident what I thought was the closest.... is in fact correct. Looks like you went with the 'wrinkled' option?

 

[LCT]

Excellent. That is what I had pretty much settled on as well (light tan) and it looks to be a decent match. Thank You for taking the time to post the pics and confirm the color. It is a big help to me and others. Now I can go ahead and order....confident what I thought was the closest.... is in fact correct. Looks like you went with the 'wrinkled' option?

Yes, I went with “wrinkles” and genuine leather for my previous LX but wasn’t too happy with how it turned out. So with my current LC, decided to go with Nappa and no wrinkles. Love it!
PS: Ridies leather quality is great but their service sucks. I hope y’all don’t have to deal with them and get a good and complete set of leathers to begin with.

 

[awesomeissquid]

Yes, I went with “wrinkles” and genuine leather for my previous LX but wasn’t too happy with how it turned out. So with my current LC, decided to go with Nappa and no wrinkles. Love it!
PS: Ridies leather quality is great but their service sucks. I hope y’all don’t have to deal with them and get a good and complete set of leathers to begin with.

The picture you included is wrinkles in the LX version right?

How is the durability between the Genuine and Nappa leather? I have a dog so slightly concerned with the wear.

 

[LCT]

The picture you included is wrinkles in the LX version right?

How is the durability between the Genuine and Nappa leather? I have a dog so slightly concerned with the wear.

LX had the genuine leather in Light tan with wrinkles. Unfortunately, I sold it not long after I had the covers installed but I believe Genuine is more durable than Napa.

 

[flintknapper]

LX had the genuine leather in Light tan with wrinkles. Unfortunately, I sold it not long after I had the covers installed but I believe Genuine is more durable than Napa.

I am going to measure each later on and report back. I have a few samples of each and can take an average. Just looking at them...the Nappa appears to be thinner leather. What I am most concerned with is the quality of the leather and the stitching. My OEM is not cracked but is starting to pull apart at the seams.

Oddly...on my 80 Series the opposite is true, the seams have held but the leather has dried out and is cracking. It doesn't help that I live in the Sun Belt. We don't have rust here....but we pay a 'Sun Tax' in the form of faded paint, degraded plastic parts, dry leather upholstery.



Edit to add:

Measured the two Ridies samples I have of 'Genuine and Nappa' leather for thickness.

Not a lot of difference.....but the Nappa is clearly thinner. On average .020" thinner than 'Genuine' or roughly 4% for those that like it that way. I don't know what (if anything) that means in terms of durability due to thickness.

But apparently 'Nappa' leather (if that is really what you get from Ridies) is 'Top Grain' leather, supposedly more supple and durable due to the hide selected and the tanning process.

https://www.cars.com/articles/what-is-nappa-leather-432078/

What is Nappa Leather? A Luxury Real Leather Type

Nappa leather is a world-renowned and famous leather in the leather world in general, named after the Napa Valley in California. Undergoing a unique tanning process, it is one of the softest and most supple leathers on the market. Like an ox fillet, it is one of the best pieces of animal hide...

eikenshop.com

 

[LCT]

I am going to measure each later on and report back. I have a few samples of each and can take an average. Just looking at them...the Nappa appears to be thinner leather. What I am most concerned with is the quality of the leather and the stitching. My OEM is not cracked but is starting to pull apart at the seams.

Oddly...on my 80 Series the opposite is true, the seams have held but the leather has dried out and is cracking. It doesn't help that I live in the Sun Belt. We don't have rust here....but we pay a 'Sun Tax' in the form of faded paint, degraded plastic parts, dry leather upholstery.

Your front seat looks pretty good. Are you looking to put a cover over it to protect OEM seat leather or looking to replace it because it’s starting to pull apart at the seams? A good upholstery shop should be able to stitch it back like new and I would highly recommend going that route instead or replacing it. TBH, your seat leathers look too nice to be replaced with aftermarket leather.

 

[awesomeissquid]

LX had the genuine leather in Light tan with wrinkles. Unfortunately, I sold it not long after I had the covers installed but I believe Genuine is more durable than Napa.

Ahh, I'm an idiot. I missed the fact that you posted both the pictures in this thread. Makes so much more sense now. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[flintknapper]

Your front seat looks pretty good. Are you looking to put a cover over it to protect OEM seat leather or looking to replace it because it’s starting to pull apart at the seams?

Going to replace. The stitching at the seams of the bottom of the seat are starting to separate. The leather now has a semi-dry, hard feel to it. It's time for replacement.

A good upholstery shop should be able to stitch it back like new and I would highly recommend going that route instead or replacing it. TBH, your seat leathers look too nice to be replaced with aftermarket leather.

They appear nicer than they are....but they've seen the end of their useful life IMO. I'll just replace them...then routinely 'condition' the replacement leather. My second row and rear seats ARE in excellent shape and do not require anything at this time. But the fronts need to be done.

 

[flintknapper]

Talked with out local Auto Upholstery guy (only person doing this in our town).

Said he thought he could do the installation of the covers on each seat for about $200.00 each. But can't get to them until sometime in February (which is fine).

Question: Does anyone know how to remove the armrests and what socket/tools are needed? I am wanting to remove my seats (when time) and take them to him instead of the entire vehicle and was thinking I would disassemble the seats as much as I am able to, in order to save him the trouble. He is booked up on custom work until next summer but is willing to work me in.

He said he has done this job on the same type vehicle before....but it had been a few years. Seemed to remember it was a fairly complicated seat to disassemble (the back and armrests).

 

[awesomeissquid]

The arm rests have a circular cover on the outside that pops off. Once that is removed there is a bolt (maybe a 14mm) that unscrews to remove the armrest. It is pretty simple actually.