Hi dlefever,
I bought a kit from "leatherseats.com" and was very satisfied with the quality and fit of the kit. I did it myself, after getting installation quotes of $700-1000 from local reupholstery shops. Here's a review of my experience:
1. DON'T be intimidated by the job! While it is tedious, it is NOT difficult!
2. There are some great "How To" Youtube videos on the installation process. Recommend you crack open a beer (or two) and take the time to watch these before making your decision on doing it yourself. Leatherseats.com has their own videos and they are very helpful.
3. Tim (the guy in the video) was the person that actually answered the phone when I called and he was very helpful...excellent customer service.
4. Insider tip from Tim: Heat the leather before installation...either by laying it out in the hot sun for an hour or using a hair dryer. This stretches and softens the leather greatly facilitating the install.
5. You'll need to buy Hog Ring Pliers and rings (at your local hardware store or leatherseats.comn sells them too)
6. Plan on spending about a day and a half to do it right. You'll have to remove the seats (they're HEAVY!) by removing 4 screws, then disconnecting and removing the seat adjustment motors.
7. Do one seat at a time, so you can use the other as a guyide to reassemble the finished one.
8. Go to Home Depot and get some wood paint stir sticks (they're free). You can use these to "push" the foam seat into the fitted cover.
9. Start with the backseat as it is the easiest and will build your confidence and improve your skills for the front.
10. Buy a box of nylon wire tie straps (the kind that are self locking) to hold the plastic "frame" strips in place until you can place a hog ring...after which you can simply cut them away with a utility knife.
This was the first time I've ever reupholstered and the end result was great! In fact, I plan on doing my truck next. It's a fun project and will save you hundreds of $$$. Good luck!!
Hi dlefever, I bought a kit from "leatherseats.com" and was very satisfied with the quality and fit of the kit. I did it myself, after getting installation quotes of $700-1000 from local reupholstery shops. Here's a review of my experience: 1. DON'T be intimidated by the job! While it is tedious, it is NOT difficult! 2. There are some great "How To" Youtube videos on the installation process. Recommend you crack open a beer (or two) and take the time to watch these before making your decision on doing it yourself. Leatherseats.com has their own videos and they are very helpful. 3. Tim (the guy in the video) was the person that actually answered the phone when I called and he was very helpful...excellent customer service. 4. Insider tip from Tim: Heat the leather before installation...either by laying it out in the hot sun for an hour or using a hair dryer. This stretches and softens the leather greatly facilitating the install. 5. You'll need to buy Hog Ring Pliers and rings (at your local hardware store or leatherseats.comn sells them too) 6. Plan on spending about a day and a half to do it right. You'll have to remove the seats (they're HEAVY!) by removing 4 screws, then disconnecting and removing the seat adjustment motors. 7. Do one seat at a time, so you can use the other as a guyide to reassemble the finished one. 8. Go to Home Depot and get some wood paint stir sticks (they're free). You can use these to "push" the foam seat into the fitted cover. 9. Start with the backseat as it is the easiest and will build your confidence and improve your skills for the front. 10. Buy a box of nylon wire tie straps (the kind that are self locking) to hold the plastic "frame" strips in place until you can place a hog ring...after which you can simply cut them away with a utility knife. This was the first time I've ever reupholstered and the end result was great! In fact, I plan on doing my truck next. It's a fun project and will save you hundreds of $$$. Good luck!!
