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Anyone install Katzkin themselves in a 14+?

WhineyTTwins

By WhineyTTwins
in Modifications & Accessories

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WhineyTTwins Enthusiast

WhineyTTwins

Posted
Posted

I'm looking to swap out the interior in my crew cab. I thought the vinyl seats would be a great idea since I'm out on the jet ski multiple times a weeks. Well, that backfired because moist seats and Florida heat causes a musty smell and I regret not having gone with leather. For that reason, I would like to switch. I would like to do it myself but I have some questions that I need answered so I can hopefully make a diy and record the install.

 

How difficult is it for someone who has never done it but is mechanically inclinded? (not including seat removal process but referring to removal of old vinyl and installing the leather)

 

Special tools needed?

 

Install time?

 

What's the process of installing the leather?

 

How to minimize wrinkles and tighten the leather?

 

Any tips for difficult parts?

 

How do you install the leather on the rear middle seat section where the cup holders flip down?

 

All help is greatly appreciated and will be recognized when I post the DIY.

tboat Enthusiast

tboat

Posted
Posted

I didn't install my Katzkin seat covers but the company I bought them from included a video for installation. I had mine done for about $200 in a regular cab. In my opinion they are superior to factory leather. I have had them before in other GM trucks. I had a few wrinkles this time but took a hair dryer and worked them out The company is in Greenville, MS. If you are interested, I will hook you up with some contact information.

Silverado_dood Enthusiast

Silverado_dood

Posted
Posted

I installed them myself, install probably took around 15 hours total (first time I've done seats). Probably could have cut several hours off that, but I went very slowly and carefully and rewatched the videos several times during the install.

I didn't need anything terribly special, trim tools are nice to have to get to some of the clips, good pair of scissors for the holes you have to cut out, torx bits. Hardest part for me was the clips in the foam that hold the covers down. They'll rip out if you aren't careful, there's somewhat of an "art" to get them to let go and put them back on, you just have to be really careful until you get the feel for it.

Oh yeah, there's a ton of pushing on the foam involved... be prepared for the forearm workout of your life.

 

All your questions are answered in the video if you get it from 1godan from ebay (they have a website, seatsrus I think).

 

Trickiest parts are probably the headrests simply because they are extremely tight and the jumpseat, pay very close attention to how it comes apart and goes back together. The rear cupholders come out to put the leather on them.

 

Biggest tip/time saver - I tried to save the old cloth off of my seats, so I did my best not to damage it. Screw it - just cut that crap up.

 

gary03l Enthusiast

gary03l

Posted
Posted

I installed them myself, install probably took around 15 hours total (first time I've done seats). Probably could have cut several hours off that, but I went very slowly and carefully and rewatched the videos several times during the install.

I didn't need anything terribly special, trim tools are nice to have to get to some of the clips, good pair of scissors for the holes you have to cut out, torx bits. Hardest part for me was the clips in the foam that hold the covers down. They'll rip out if you aren't careful, there's somewhat of an "art" to get them to let go and put them back on, you just have to be really careful until you get the feel for it.

Oh yeah, there's a ton of pushing on the foam involved... be prepared for the forearm workout of your life.

 

All your questions are answered in the video if you get it from 1godan from ebay (they have a website, seatsrus I think).

 

Trickiest parts are probably the headrests simply because they are extremely tight and the jumpseat, pay very close attention to how it comes apart and goes back together. The rear cupholders come out to put the leather on them.

 

Biggest tip/time saver - I tried to save the old cloth off of my seats, so I did my best not to damage it. Screw it - just cut that crap up.

 

do you have any pics? I been looking at the eBay seat covers for quite some time but I haven't found any pics to help me make the decision.
Timayz Enthusiast

Timayz

Posted
Posted

I did two trucks on the last body style, so I don't have 2014+ specific info. Reading the above post it sounds identical to my install. Basically a slip on and slip off install in all reality, just time consuming.

I remember braking one clip before I realized to slide them appart rather than try to pop them off and risk ripping the seat foam. (The ones between the cushion folds and the leather, these pull the seams tight to the foam for the stretching ) The head rest were pretty tight as said above... I might have cursed a little. =) I had zero experience before i started but consider myself a decent mechanic. Both trucks looked good when completed.

I'll see if I can attach a pic or two in a bit.

One set was Katzkin and one was Roadwire. I would recommend either one you find a good price on. I personally did nit see a quality difference.

gary03l Enthusiast

gary03l

Posted
Posted

The center section of the seat looks pretty loose. Is it the picture that makes it look like that or is it pretty tight.

gary03l Enthusiast

gary03l

Posted
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In my pictures, there was still some fluffing and pulling to do. Also it was about 30 degrees in that garage.... so the leather was really stiff. It tightened up nicely.

Can you post some recent pics. If you don' mind lol .

gary03l Enthusiast

gary03l

Posted
Posted

This is what it currently looks like, a year later.... multiple trips to the lake, off roading,and around 15000 miles of my fat but in it.

Damm they look good. Thanks for the pics bro.

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