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Want Leather ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by hisport, Aug 23, 2012.

  1. hisport

    hisport New Member

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    Want leather in your gen III Prius?

    I'm about to install a new leather interior in our new 2012 Prius. If there's sufficient interest, I'll document the project in the forum "Maintenance and Accessories" area. Just respond to this post if you're intersted.

    Backstory: We liked everything about the new Prius except the interior. Having had leather in our (German) cars for years, we were surprized that the Prius isn't available with leather, at least in the US. Only cloth and vinyl. Dealer installed katzkin leather was an option, but not ideal.
    I did some homework, and found an outfit that has designed a very good quality Prius complete leather interior. This company also makes the OEM leather interiors for various Volvo, Jag, and Nissan/Infiniti models. So, we ordered a new Prius 2 Seagreen/dark gray (it arrived last friday), and the interior kit (it arrived today).
    The kit was kind of a gamble, but I'm pleased to report that it is genuinely OEM quality. Kit cost, including various installation materials, was less than $600 delivered. The material is an excellent match (with our dark gray interior). I have a hunch that this interior will be a Prius top drawer option in some markets soon.
    Installing a leather interior is probably about an 8 on the 1 - 10 DIY scale, so maybe not for everyone. But, if you're handy and enjoy projects, its very doable.
    PS: I'll be installing seat heaters (seat cushion and leanback) at the same time
     
  2. GoLittlePrius

    GoLittlePrius New Member

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    I would be interested in seeing this as I think Im going to attempt to do it in my 2012.
     
  3. GoLittlePrius

    GoLittlePrius New Member

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    Sorry forgot to ask what company you were able to order them from the quotes i received were much more. Thanks
     
  4. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    I'm interested.
     
  5. Kayem

    Kayem Junior Member

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  6. hisport

    hisport New Member

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    Thanks all

    I will figure out a way for you to order if there is sufficient interest. At present OEM colors only (Dark grey, misty gray, beige). Leather inserts are perforated.
     
  7. Dark_Prius

    Dark_Prius Member

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    I am interested in where to order.

    LT26i ? 2
     
  8. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    No offense, but what does that mean ??

    Why would you have to figure out a way for someone else to 'order', unless you're trying to get kickbacks from other people's orders .... and if you are .... why not just say it up front ?

    Tell us the company and websire or phone number and that's it.

    REV
     
    prominence likes this.
  9. gambit023

    gambit023 Junior Member

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    I ditto this... What's the brand/company that's providing the leather?
     
  10. WD0AFQ

    WD0AFQ Active Member

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    We just paid twice that and had heated leather installed in our brand new C. They are nice.
    Dan
     
  11. ajtozzi

    ajtozzi Junior Member

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    I highly doubt you got "genuine leather seats" for less than $600. I'm willing to bet that, at best, you have leather seating surfaces.
     
  12. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    **** Moved: This belongs in Accessories and Mods anyway. ****
     
  13. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    any black colour ?
     
  14. cobra94563

    cobra94563 Junior Member

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    Sure, show us.
    I installed a leather kit on the previous gen prius, and it was more work than I expected.
    But I'm looking for leather for the plug-in now.
    I expect I'll have it installed, unless you make it look easy...
     
  15. eco-icon

    eco-icon Junior Member

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    my came with katzkin. i love it.. my buddy is interested..
     
  16. David Barton

    David Barton Junior Member

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  17. exbauer

    exbauer Active Member

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    I would also be interested in where you got the kit from after seeing pictures of it installed. Where did you get them from?
     
  18. DumLong

    DumLong Junior Member

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    I just had a kit installed from Designs by Lawrence:

    TOYOTA PRIUS 2010/2012 GENUINE LEATHER INTERIOR KIT | eBay

    company website:
    Home Page

    Spoke with Ron and was able to arrange for local pickup in Philadelphia, great price for an oem level kit and imo a much better option than Clazzio's at the same price point, I would expect professional install to run $400 or free if DIY.

    This kit has full leather front face seating surfaces in the front, lower trim and back pieces are oem grade vinyl. the back is full leather with bolsters in vinyl as far as I can tell. door pieces are all vinyl. All of this is inline with what I'd expect from an OEM kit.

    These are the same kits that some dealers use for their aftermarket sales.
     
  19. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I picked up a new set of Pecca leathers (don't sell to the public AFAIK) off ebay from an individual for $300!!!! but...... they are a beee-otch to install. I put them in an 06 Camry and estimate that it took me about 30 hours. It was my first (and probably last) time doing it so, understandably, I initially started slowly learning as I went along but I got faster with every cushion. The pecca kit also included door panels and head rests so it ended up being about 16 items to recover. You have to remove all seats and, for the pecca kit, door panels from the car, then remove the original covers. By the end, my wrists and fingers were mush and they took about a week to recover. IMO, this is for the serious DIY'er which I consider myself. Photos are right after installation and the leather smooth out some more after getting heated up in the sun and using them.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  20. DumLong

    DumLong Junior Member

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    Here's a quick picture I took of my kit installed, forgot to mention that the mid section is perforated. I've had a leather kit installed before on another car and it's quite some work with hog rings removal first and then hog rings to install. It's not necessarily hard work but it's absolutely time consuming. Advice I've gotten is to start with the rear bench lower piece first to get your bearings and move on to each back piece so that by the time you get to the front seats you're working faster and more careful. Also when working on front seats, turn the car completely off to avoid tripping SRS warning lights that can only be reset by the dealer. Some kits call for the door panel to be dissasembled to add the covering piece which is usually a vinyl piece that's glued into place. An alternate method is to trim the piece, glue in place and tuck the excess into the panel.

    I agree with poster above that 30+ hours is a reasonable estimate, it would have taken me many nights and weekends just working on it slowly and instead I paid for install. IMG_0747.JPG