DIY Alea Leather Seat Install 2019 Crewmax

Hey all. Just thought I would post some build tips for those that want to install leather seats in their crew max.

This was by far more work than any other automotive or house DIY project I have done in a while like basement, concrete driveway, plumbing to make a new bathroom in basement, etc. I cut a finger that almost needed stitches and was sore as hell the next day. Pay the money and have a pro do it. My Alea was around 725 from touch ups. I spent another 20 on Misc tools.

The 3/4 inch hog rings where the easiest part. All the squeezing, pulling, plastic handles and trim pieces, cutting holes in leather, rear cup holder removal in rear seat center was almost impossible to get back in, and headrest install where all the real trouble spots.

The rear seat is where I started because that was the most work overall. Be prepared for cuts and hand scrapes and major arm pump. Helped to have two people at times to move and stretch leather to reach plastic clips.

First tip: Be careful and slow at removing cloth around the Velcro near the hog rings. The Velcro is glued to foam and if you pull to hard it will pull off and you have to reglue it.

Second tip: It’s ok to trim leather around side covers of seat sides to make it easier to move plastic into place so have razor blades handy.

3rd tip: Have a large tool to reach into leather to massage it over the top of seats. I used a large crescent wrench with the round end of handle to massage leather over corner to get it tight.

4th tip: consider having some 3m spray and quilt batting to fill in spots that are wacky or not setting tight to foam. Steaming helps but the foam is not really perfect if you want it really tight around top and sides of seats. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009RWIP4/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_i_P0lYDbQ2FKB9G

5th Tip: I also used a hair dryer to heat up some of the leather to make it easier to move and stretch leather around head rests. The black clips on bottom of headrest are so tight seems impossible but they do clip. I used silicon spray to get plastic to clip in easier

6th tip: The rear seat levers that incline the seat are a total pain in the rear. Use a screw driver to pop each of the 4 clips. For reinstall trim leather so that plastic cover can clip back in. Start with lever side clips first.

7th tip: Again rear seats take the most time and suck to do.. use a screw driver to carefully pull cup holder up from back then pop front out. After installing leather and Before zipping seat backs install the rear center arm rest so that leather does not bind up by bolting it into place. You have to cut 3 holes in leather to reattach center arm rest to back frame. This was the most frustrating part that I had to stop and start over next day.

8th tip: Have several extra tools handy like screw drivers, upholstery hook puller for pulling leather plastic clips towards each other, and razor blades.

9th tip: Cut headrest holes at the very last step so that your cuts don’t make to big of hole after stretching leather under seat.

10th tip: It helped me to reinstall seat and bolt back in place temporarily to do the final zip and clip connection under seat.

This was bar far more work than you would think. Toby from touch ups was awesome at helping over text but this is a ton of work and I hope I never have to do it again honestly.

 

A ton of work.. but damn, that looks great!!!

 

Looks bad ass though! Great looking job!

 

Looks awesome! I'm a fan of Alea over the others. Solid choice and thanks for the write-up.

 

How much was that set? I really want to do the cooling seats, so i'd have to get the perf ones like yours.

 

Wow beautiful work, great job!

 

That's badass! Well done!

 

Nicely done. I have a set of leathers in the box. You just scared the shit out of me. I guess they’ll stay in the box a bit longer until I stir up some courage to take this project on.

 

Around $730.00. Cooling would be really nice. If you do a diy post some pics. Curious how that would work.

 

You can do it. Just takes more time and all the trim, handles and the darn rear seat cup holder arm rest reinstall was the worst. By the time I got to the front seats it was much easier. I have about 10-15hrs into it but I took my time. Plus all the kids and family stuff causing start stops over the weekend.

 

Ah thanks man! It was a ton of work and huge learning experience so hopefully the tips will help others.

 

Great job. Looks awesome.

 

Every time your ride in your truck now you will be able to think about how much money you saved (doing it yourself) and knowing it was done right. Really nice work!! The price is good too.

 

That seems like a really good deal. The solid black eBay kits are $550ish, I really like yours.

 

I did my Katzkin install this year. Once you’ve done one, you know where to look- and you did a very good job. Looks awesome.

The metal seat back frames are unfinished and in some places RAZOR sharp. I did get a very nasty cut repositioning one without knowing.
Looks good man!

 

Thanks. I think Toby is on here and also on eBay from touchups. He is awesome to work with and probably has several other quick ship. I got this in a 2-3 days from ordering which was impressive.

 

Thanks man. Very sharp for sure. One slip and you are sitting in ER. On katzkin did you also have to cut all the holes for sides and rear seat arm rest cup holder. Curious is all products are at being DIY friendly. Mine came with no instructions at all but agree once you do one seat you get the idea pretty quick. Did you need any filler to get it tight on corners.

 

Damn, that looks pretty good...Great Job

 

The Katzkin kit was great- no modification or cutting needed that I remember. I didn’t use any filler, and I think it looks like factory leather.
After seeing what some custom shops do, I think you could use filler to get that ultra premium drum-tightness. But I did not study up that much. I used guidance from a couple fellow members on this site.

 

You’re a true man. I just put katzkins in mine. I caved after the headrests, yanked the seats and had a local upholstery shop install the rest.

I consider myself mechanically inclined and don't have enough derogatory terms to describe what a bitch the headrests were.

 

I just received these exact leathers today. When you were doing the headrest, does the fabric come off the headrest?

I saw a video where someone vacuumed sealed the headrest and put the leather over the fabric with a plastic bag over the fabric.

Do you happen to have any more pics of the install that maybe useful?

Thanks in advance.

 

I left the fabric on my headrest's and just installed the leather over it.

 

Same here. I left the headrest cloth on mine and just worked the new leather over. Just be careful not to work to much or move the metal headrest shafts because they can come loose on the inside of the foam and then you will have wobbly head rests.

 

You can cover the headrest with a plastic bag it kinda helps the leather to slip over the fabric.