Upholstery Woes

[willc]

2006 LX 470

Upholstery that has worn out: driver and passenger seat bottoms, driver and passenger armrests, center console pad.

What I would LIKE is Katzkin front and rear leather with extra material for arm rests and center console pad. Cost installed: $2050.

BUT the patten is only for 98-2004 LX’s they said. I assume this has to do with side airbags in later years- can anyone confirm?

What I might do instead: Richmond Auto Upholstery. Seat bottoms and arm rests. $670 shipped to me. Local install around $600, new center console pad off Etsy for around $50. Probably $1300-1400 out the door.

Option 2 is cheaper, sure. But for $700 more I’d love to have all of the 20 year old leather replaced and matching vs piecing it together.

Is an 04 seat different than an 06 ruling Katzkin out for sure?

Should I be considering ridies or l-seat for the two rows? I think install cost would put me around where Katzkin is at, but I don’t really read about anyone loving the quality.

Any advice appreciated

 

[willc]

Contacted Mosley motors a week ago and never heard back.

Contacted Richmond Auto Upholstery and they got back with me to request pics, which I sent and then never heard back from them.

I contacted Ridies, they’re the only company I’ve come across that doesn’t differentiate between earlier models without the airbag in the seat and later models with the airbag in the seat. They got back to me quickly, which was appreciated, but they basically said, “we haven’t tested for airbags and aren’t responsible if they don’t deploy.” Not exactly confidence inspiring.

I think I’m going my to reach out to Land Cruiser heaven next and see if I can get some customer service. If so, I’ll buy from them, if not… back to the drawing board.

Katzkin has been the easiest to communicate with- too bad they don’t do anything for the 06!

 

[DTCsk8er]

Contacted Mosley motors a week ago and never heard back.

Contacted Richmond Auto Upholstery and they got back with me to request pics, which I sent and then never heard back from them.

I contacted Ridies, they’re the only company I’ve come across that doesn’t differentiate between earlier models without the airbag in the seat and later models with the airbag in the seat. They got back to me quickly, which was appreciated, but they basically said, “we haven’t tested for airbags and aren’t responsible if they don’t deploy.” Not exactly confidence inspiring.

I think I’m going my to reach out to Land Cruiser heaven next and see if I can get some customer service. If so, I’ll buy from them, if not… back to the drawing board.

Katzkin has been the easiest to communicate with- too bad they don’t do anything for the 06!

I work (ironically) about a mile from Richmond Auto Upholstery. I may end up going this route for my seats at some point, but curious what you are waiting to hear back from on them?

 

[willc]

I just asked if there was any extra material for my center console I could buy. They asked for my vin and a pic, and then ghosted me. If they would’ve just said, no we don’t have that, no problem, but why make me go do some work and then ignore? Put a bad taste in my mouth. Quality is supposed to be good though from what I’ve heard and read.

 

[MongooseGA]

I would love someone to make a nice kit out of MB Tex material. Leather is great, but for the purpose of my truck, Tex would be ideal. All the qualities of leather with the durability of steel.

 

[willc]

I would love someone to make a nice kit out of MB Tex material. Leather is great, but for the purpose of my truck, Tex would be ideal. All the qualities of leather with the durability of steel.

Interesting- hadn’t heard of the material- sounds like it would be great though!

 

[MongooseGA]

Interesting- hadn’t heard of the material- sounds like it would be great though!

It's fantastic. I have it in my '85 MB 300D with 350k on it. The car is 40 years old and the seats, other than a broken spring or smooshed foam, look nearly perfect. I put my dog in the back with daggers for claws and don't sweat it, no cover needed.

Available in a bunch of colors, perforated or not, etc. But, it is not cheap. I've seen vendors offer it in lieu of leather for some cars and it can be as much as 50-100% more expensive. IMO, it's worth it to not have to run a seat cover for the dog or worry about ingress/egress wear on the bolsters. And it cleans up great.

 

[willc]

It's fantastic. I have it in my '85 MB 300D with 350k on it. The car is 40 years old and the seats, other than a broken spring or smooshed foam, look nearly perfect. I put my dog in the back with daggers for claws and don't sweat it, no cover needed.

Available in a bunch of colors, perforated or not, etc. But, it is not cheap. I've seen vendors offer it in lieu of leather for some cars and it can be as much as 50-100% more expensive. IMO, it's worth it to not have to run a seat cover for the dog or worry about ingress/egress wear on the bolsters. And it cleans up great.

Very cool. That would be great if it was an option,

Side note, how do you like the 300d? I’ve been looking at the the older mb’s for a second car to get around town (no commuting) and the price is right, but idk how many headaches I’d be in for. Looking at the ls430 as well.

 

[MongooseGA]

Very cool. That would be great if it was an option,

Side note, how do you like the 300d? I’ve been looking at the the older mb’s for a second car to get around town (no commuting) and the price is right, but idk how many headaches I’d be in for. Looking at the ls430 as well.

It's my favorite car I've owned. Not the best by any metric. They're very simple, but they are also old. But I feel less worry about the 300D than I do my 560SEL.

 

[willc]

Rob from Mosley reached out to me through mud and gave me a call today. Nice guy, all the reviews said his stuff was good quality, so I placed an order with him this evening.

Sounds like it will take 2-3 weeks to arrive and I will post up some pics when it gets here if anyone is interested in seeing.

The big thing I liked about the Mosley kit is that it is the 2 rows, AND the armrests, AND the center console, AND the door inserts. So a complete kit.

And although I initially had a hard time reaching them initially, they gave me the best service between them, Richmond, and Ridies.

 

[MongooseGA]

Rob from Mosley reached out to me through mud and gave me a call today. Nice guy, all the reviews said his stuff was good quality, so I placed an order with him this evening.

Sounds like it will take 2-3 weeks to arrive and I will post up some pics when it gets here if anyone is interested in seeing.

The big thing I liked about the Mosley kit is that it is the 2 rows, AND the armrests, AND the center console, AND the door inserts. So a complete kit.

And although I initially had a hard time reaching them initially, they gave me the best service between them, Richmond, and Ridies.

Head rests as well?

I'm very interested to see how you like them. I've been eyeing Mosely for a long time since finding they do a cooled seat option.

 

[willc]

Head rests as well?

I'm very interested to see how you like them. I've been eyeing Mosely for a long time since finding they do a cooled seat option.

Yes I believe headrests as well.

I’ve read the cooled seats can take away from the seat comfort for some people. I live in Texas so I strongly considered, but I decided to just get new OEM foam for the drivers seat instead because my 100 series seat is the most comfortable of any vehicle I’ve owned and I wasn’t willing to risk that for cooled seats. Although they would be incredible for summers around here.