Katzkin's Installed

kilo5 · May 7, 2008

I dropped the cash and installed the Katzkin's. I didn't want to deal with it and had it installed at Texas Auto Trim in Houston. Ask for Jaime if you are in the area and he'll show you the shop and the work they do.

I added the heavy-duty vinyl on the bottom of the rear seats because that is where the dog rides and her fur would always stick to the carpet button on the original seats. Once I found that the leather seats would have a carpeted button, I had them order the seats with the heavy-duty vinyl on the bottom.

Here are some pics for those who like leather or are thinking about installing Katzkin's.

I hope this isn't too many pics or that they are too big. If there is a better way, let me know. I do have more pics in my Garage Profile.

Another change that I made was to get rid of the Goodyear Eagle LS2 (275/55-20) tires. I did not like these tires. It was taking up to 30oz. to balance them and I replace two under warranty. Ended up trading them in for Michelin LTX M/S and I am very pleased with them. New tires, Fold-A Cover, and GMC 6" Chrome side steps. Now I can start to save for my next truck 10-15 years from now.

slomo007 · May 7, 2008

Looks fantastic....but the million dollar question is, how much $$?

alaska511 · May 7, 2008

Looks great

kilo5 · May 7, 2008

Looks fantastic....but the million dollar question is, how much $$?

$200 less than the factory upgrade

MS3DALE · May 7, 2008

Its ashame that were spending 35-40 grand on these trucks,and then we have to spend another grand to install leather just so we don't have lint!!

Plus like I've said before...I HATE LEATHER,And even if I didn't hate it and wanted to add it,I shouldn't have to spend money to install it just because the factory cloth is junk!!

kilo5 · May 7, 2008

Its ashame that were spending 35-40 grand on these trucks,and then we have to spend another grand to install leather just so we don't have lint!!
Plus like I've said before...I HATE LEATHER,And even if I didn't hate it and wanted to add it,I shouldn't have to spend money to install it just because the factory cloth is junk!!

No kidding. I agree that one shouldn't have to spend money just because of the poor quality cloth in the truck. The only choice was to wait for a fix, or move on. I decided to move on. Just like the crap Goodyear tires. I could have kept on having them replaced every 3-4 thousand miles or just trade them in for a better tire.

Come on, you know you like leather

MS3DALE · May 7, 2008

Come on, you know you like leather

Nope,My Saturn has it,I hate it!!! But I bought that used as a "work car" and got a great deal on it...so I couldn't be too pickey. I'm going to get some seat covers for it ASAP.

I also traded in my factory Bridgestone's for Goodyear's,I can usually get 50-60,000 miles out of a set of Goodyear's,However those Eagle LS-2s that are on the factory 20" wheels aren't the best wearing tires,They shouldn't even be on a truck.

huero626 · May 7, 2008

Come on, you know you like leather

Nope,My Saturn has it,I hate it!!! But I bought that used as a "work car" and got a great deal on it...so I couldn't be too pickey. I'm going to get some seat covers for it ASAP.

I also traded in my factory Bridgestone's for Goodyear's,I can usually get 50-60,000 miles out of a set of Goodyear's,However those Eagle LS-2s that are on the factory 20" wheels aren't the best wearing tires,They shouldn't even be on a truck.

Are these tires really that bad? I got these tires on my 20 inch rims. I'll see how they work. What I have noticed is that they peel out really easy. I just got a custom tune and removed the delay and 80% torque management and on turn they peel out really easy or from a stop. I like the look of the Good year Eagle LS, I don't know how good of a tire it is.

AllBlkdOut07 · May 7, 2008

Wow, those look pretty good considering they're aftermarket, they seem to fit nice and tight, not too many noticeable wrinkles, creases. How much is $200 less than factory option? What color are those?

I may get something like those but in vinyl, leather is too $.

fbachman · May 7, 2008

I dropped the cash and installed the Katzkin's. I didn't want to deal with it and had it installed at Texas Auto Trim in Houston. Ask for Jaime if you are in the area and he'll show you the shop and the work they do.

I added the heavy-duty vinyl on the bottom of the rear seats because that is where the dog rides and her fur would always stick to the carpet button on the original seats. Once I found that the leather seats would have a carpeted button, I had them order the seats with the heavy-duty vinyl on the bottom.

Here are some pics for those who like leather or are thinking about installing Katzkin's.

I hope this isn't too many pics or that they are too big. If there is a better way, let me know. I do have more pics in my Garage Profile.

Another change that I made was to get rid of the Goodyear Eagle LS2 (275/55-20) tires. I did not like these tires. It was taking up to 30oz. to balance them and I replace two under warranty. Ended up trading them in for Michelin LTX M/S and I am very pleased with them. New tires, Fold-A Cover, and GMC 6" Chrome side steps. Now I can start to save for my next truck 10-15 years from now.

WOW... That looks INCREDIBLE...... ( !!!!!!!!! )

BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!!

Hey:

Have some fun... make a CD of all the "ebony" posts... copy your bill for this, and send a bill FROM YOU to GM. When they don't pay, threaten to take them to collections.... Sned 'em notices you make from your "collection agency"

Make sure you tell 'em, with picures, how you corrected their "design flaw". CC a Detroit newspaper, preferably one of those "we're looking out for you" babes on TV as well...

omegafiler · May 7, 2008

Looks good man. And yeah, the factory good year tires really do suck that bad.

I tried to keep 'em for a while and get some miles on 'em, but after about 3k, I had to replace 'em with the Michelin LTX's. I've had the OE goodyears on just about every previous GM vehicle and they've all been horrible. The only good thing about those GY tires is that they were really quiet (and cheap if you buy replacements.) Otherwise they pretty much sucked everywhere else. Check out the reviews on tirerack.

kilo5 · May 8, 2008

Wow, those look pretty good considering they're aftermarket, they seem to fit nice and tight, not too many noticeable wrinkles, creases. How much is $200 less than factory option? What color are those?

I may get something like those but in vinyl, leather is too $.

The pictures really do not show the true color because the leather is just a shade lighter than the black trim. I got the dark graphic, one shade lighter than Katzkin’s black leather The dark graphic is the manufacture’s recommend color to replace the ebony interior. Either color will look fine if you are replacing the ebony interior. No doubt about it, leather is high dollar and I don't think Katzkin's makes vinyl seats. Both leather and vinyl last and are very easy to maintain.

I already have had the dog in the cab for a few rides and I no longer have to take a lint roller to the seats.

J-man67 · May 8, 2008

Looks great man!!

Bostonsfavson · May 8, 2008

Boy that looks professional. Good mod Wayne

kilo5 · May 8, 2008

Are these tires really that bad? I got these tires on my 20 inch rims. I'll see how they work. What I have noticed is that they peel out really easy. I just got a custom tune and removed the delay and 80% torque management and on turn they peel out really easy or from a stop. I like the look of the Good year Eagle LS, I don't know how good of a tire it is.

Everyone has his or her own experiences with tires. For me, the 20" Goodyear Eagle LS is not a truck tire and caused me great concern. I had to replace one at 2,500 miles and another one at 10,000 miles. Both tires were found to be defective and were replaced at no cost. I also was in the shop four times getting them balanced and once I saw how make weight (30oz) it was taking to try and balance them, I decided to trade them in for the Michelin LTX M/S. I have had Michelin's on the last three trucks that I have owned with no problems and feel secure driving with them.