2011 F-150 XLT Screw Katzkin Leather Install DIY
 

Hey Gang,

Thanks to the advice in this forum I dropped the $ on full leather Katzkins for my truck. Black with Lapis color double stitching. After much forum research I opted to install them myself.

In this first photo you can see I've already started the head rests... (while I waited for my hog ring pliers to come in the mail)

http://bchuntingblog.com/images/beforekatzkin1.jpg

http://bchuntingblog.com/images/headrestafter.jpg

The headrests weren't as tough as I thought they'd be... Heck I even put them on without the so called "vacuum trick" or even using any spray silicone. Just compress the foam with your hand, and pull with your fingers. I had all of them done in less than an hour. They came out great.

http://bchuntingblog.com/images/frontseatside.jpg

This is one area where you've got to cut through your leather... I stressed a little, but just took a scalpal and gently carved around the plastic mounting tab. You've only got about 1/4" of room so keep the cut very tight or after the trim is on you'll see the cut.

http://bchuntingblog.com/images/frontseatside2.jpg

Here it is from another angle, I highlighted where to cut with Yellow.

http://bchuntingblog.com/images/backseatafter.jpg

I've got to get a better picture... It's really a nice jet black color but my camera makes it look dull.

http://bchuntingblog.com/images/frontdriver.jpg

Very happy with the way the front seats came out too... The weather was really hot like 30 C so I just rolled up the windows and let the leather bake, and it really smoothed it out and made it conform to the foam.

http://bchuntingblog.com/images/frontdriver2.jpg

I really like the solid color with the contrast stitching...

These seats are VERY comfortable... Way better than factory leather.

- Install Notes

- The F-150 Katzkin install video was helpful but much of it did not apply to a 2011 truck. There were a few differences.

- The Grocery bag holders on the underside of the backseat bottoms will not survive. All of the clips broke while prying mine out, so I turfed them.

- The handles on the underside of of my backseats work fine (you'll have to carefully trim around them) but when in the "sitting" position my seats no longer lock down... Did they ever lock down? I can't remember lol... maybe some of you can help me there!!! :party:

- The front/rear seats are held on with 18mm bolts NOT T-50 torx bits. You will need a T-30, T-27 and T-50 Torx bit for other items though.

- Your fingers are going to hurt like friggen hell for a few days... The hardest part was probably the plastic clasps that hold the skins together... they were tough to get locked.

- I used Hog rings instead of Zipties as I saw recommended by many other forums... I think the Zipties would honestly have taken longer! The "Hog Ringing" was one of the easiest steps! Very simple, you just need to pinch the foam down with one hand, and press the hog ring pliers down into the foam and close. Done.

That is about all I can think of right now... I am quite happy with the finished product.

Carl

how much did you pay if you dont mind??

A lot... It seems the cheapest price I could find in Canada was about $1300 installed and that was for the factory quality katzkin (partial leather).

I opted to go for the premium leather and installed myself for about $1400 including tax (12% in my province).

It is very nice quality leather.

Carl

Well it is a lot of money but not a bad price for the quality leather they sell im thinking of doing a custom one i want a black with red inserts full leather interior and fx4 stictching on all 4 headrests.

When I got my truck any of the trucks with leather were platinums or lariat limiteds and the price difference was like $12,000. This was a bargain and the XLT is still a sweet truck.

If I had the money I would have went for the seat heaters too, but instead of factory quality leather and seat heaters I went for the 100% leather katzkin.

I spread the install out over several days because my hands hurt from pulling and stretching leather.

Carl

Nice install, looks great. Good thing about Katzin is that they will customize your seat covers for your needs. I have a friend from the Mustang club I belong to that had beautiful work done from them.

I really like those. Bravo.

Thank you. Yep... But it seems every other vehicle manufacturer has a licensing agreement with Katzkin EXCEPT Ford so getting F-150 or Ford embroidered on my seats was a no-go.

Carl

Those are nice man. I looked at their site and got a quote for $2995 for mine. Still cheaper than the dealer option, but way more than what you payed for them.

I saw that too when I first started looking and I don't know why they do that... That is only suggested retail price.

EVERY shop I called here in my province of BC wanted about $900+ tax for just the factory quality leather kit... $1300+ tax installed.

I got the 100% leather kit for $1200 +tax and just installed myself... Phone around to different interior shops and find out what kind of deal you can swing.

Carl