Question on the Leather seats of the Limited

It is pretty common. Normal wear & tear. Happened with the leather driver seats that I have had over the years

A good leather/vinyl repair person will make the crack go away

 

From our shop's profile page.

 

@Remedy6, the leather in my 100 series had a nice patina until about a month ago (195,000 miles). it finally split. I'm looking into having the front seats reupholstered. I used a leather treatment – several different brands – over the years and really could never tell a difference before and after treating the leather. The leather just always felt kind of hard.

Someone on the 100 forum made a comment about leather being treated from the factory and how it made "old-fashioned" leather treatments obsolete. In an effort to dispel even more misinformation, can you weigh in on the merits of leather conditioners/treatments - specifically with the 4Runner limited leather? Thanks!

 

What's their incentive for making the vehicle last longer?

 

Seriously? Reputation, ratings, resale data... The never-ending balance is making the vehicle last long while spending as little as possible.

 

Repeat customers for one.

 

This is actually a regularly debated subject within the industry as a whole. Those who sell leather (specifically automotive grade) have said that conditioners do nothing as they are unable to penetrate the surface coating that is applied. Companies that sell leather cleaners and conditioners obviously have a vested interest in telling you the exact opposite and will stress that their products need to be used on a regular basis to prevent premature damage.

Personally, I recommend that my customers use a leather conditioner maybe twice a year at the most. Mild cleaners combined with a good protection product will do far more in the long run than any conditioner will in my experience.

 

100% agree with this. I've been in furniture retail/manufacturing for almost 40 years. The paint/top coat finish is so thick & protective on most automobile leather seats that very little penetrates into the hide. But i also believe that cleaner/conditioners possibly help the paint/top coat finish "feel" better & possibly will help adding another layer of protection so that everyday dirt/dust/etc dont ruin the paint/top coat finish as fast.

 

That model is all but dead.

 

Wasn't referring to that specific model.
All manufacturers in general.

 

The sales model of building something very durable-washing machines of 30 years ago, etc. That sales model is gone.

 

I remember cars of the 70s & 80s being an ancient rust bucket with more problems/maintenance once they got 70 to 80,000 miles on them. I think cars today (especially our toyotas) are way more reliable & longer lasting.

Am i wrong? I will certainly admit that i dont remember things as well as i used to!

 

No you are not wrong. The manufacturers have been learning and perfecting certain models over and over again. If you roll back the tape back to the 50's, toyota had no market share, it was very little here in the US, overtime they spent money in R&D and understood development and innovation to the point that they have perfect it.

 

Not sure if anyone else in the thread has said it already, but the sides of the seat are vinyl. Only the parts you physically touch are leather. The seat base, seat back, and face of the headrest. The sides, and backs, are all vinyl. They do this to save money.
Yes sliding out of the seat is what stretches those side cushions and makes them crack. If you dont have running boards, you should get some and try to step INTO and step OUT OF the vehicle without sliding on the seat. I had leather in my tacoma and sold it with 275,000 miles and no cracks in the seats. My current 4r has about 235,000 miles and no cracks in the leather. I use the handles, and running boards and step into, and step up and out of the vehicle. If you slide over the seat edge its going to crack it from compressing the side of the seat.

 

hey hey boss where are you located?
been wanting to find a shop that does this, i have a 2005 tundra limited i bought used, seats look decent but you can tell they are old and i have been considering a new leather kit. Seen pix in sale ads showing new seat bases or new fronts but havent figured out where people are getting them.

 

Southwest Ohio (north of Cincinnati)

 

Did the leather change? I have a 2016 Limited, feels all over like nice leather in the Red Tan colour. Where as my 2021 Limited in Black the leather feels like the usual fake leather type clothes manufacturers use nowadays. Did the leather itself change? No way the 16 leather on mine is remotely close in any way to the 21. The 21 is far worse on everything

 

we had a red rock interior in a 2018 it was fabulous.
we had a tan 2012 it was cheap and thin
We have a 2023 in black and it’s cheap and thin
The red interior is by far thicker and nicer feeling, I assume it’s a better quality material. All limited models.

 

I got it done....it cost me though...but I got rid of the damn old musty smell from the previous owner.

 

Install done by yourself or a shop?

 

At a shop with professionals ($). I was going to do the Katzkin thing but I looked at a few sets and it didn't look right, and I wanted to get rid of the old stuff and deep clean the seats and the interior and floor as well. It cost me but well worth it though.

 

Out of curiosity, what do you think about how they turned out?

 

I think they look good. My main priority was getting rid of the smell and cleaning all around. I think they look great. I could have gone with a different color and designs or whatever, but I kept it black with this red stiching thing in the middle. I like it....they feel softer and better than what I had before.

 

agreed, the red rock interior the leather is thick and soft, reminds me of my audi. The black interior.. reminds me of some kind of cheap vinyl plastic. Even the leather conditioners do not absorb indicating its a synthetic covering of some kind. The red rock I use cleaner and conditioners a couple times a year. Stays soft and smells nice for ages. The black.. not at all.

 

Can I ask the cost to do that? Sorry didnt quite understand your post, is it Katskin or is it another make? The quilted finish is nice touch. Looks great.

 

Automotive leather is sealed.. it’s not a leather belt, for you to build up patina

 

To hell with Leather. I vote we bring back crushed velour. Who's with me!!!!!???!

 

I am skeptical of the sealer or its longevity. The conditioner clearly absorbs into the leather. Only does this on the red rock, not on the black.

 

Is it two tone?

 

I gotcha' covered brother.