Leather Is Better! - DIY Katzkin Leather How To Installation on Ford F-150 - Tips and Review 

Thanks for making this DIY guide. After watching 7 minutes of it I decided to pay the shop that wanted $750 to do this for me. But only because it was going to be a 2 or three day project and I just don’t have that time.

Sold!! To the professionals!! You just convinced me to get them installed. Watching you, I know I can’t do it, so thank you.

After watching the amount of work it definitely makes it understandable as to why shops want to charge $1,000 plus for doing the job. Definitely a nice way to put a fresh new look on a vehicle. Good job

I do this for a living Our shop can do this truck in 2 hours and I’m speaking from 10 years experience. This is one of the easiest trucks to do the top cover of the console is the hardest part I have done hundreds of them you did it the right way by gluing it instead of going with staples like factory

Thanks for this video. I tackled this install by watching your video this weekend. Your tips were the best! I did the back seats in one afternoon and got done in the evening. However, like you mentioned my driver seat was worn out as I purchased the truck used and it was a fleet vehicle. For the drivers seat, I used a local gentleman I know to repair the cushion and install the front seat covers and armrest. Saved a ton of money, I was quoted by one upholstery shop north of $1200. Completely ridiculous!

The timing for this video was perfect. I have the same truck 6 seater as-well. Thank you.

A few years ago I had a full leather job done to my 2003 Dodge Ram. I had them add heating pads to the back and bottom of the seats. They too were Kat skin seat covers. after about 8 years they still look new and I agree they are easier to clean . I love mine with the heat! Good job as I would never attempt them on my own!

wow great job. i have 2009 f150 XLT with cloth and paid for an upholstery shop to do this like five years ago. katzkin two tone grey/black. was like thousand bucks installed.still holding up great.

Another really good video which is informative to almost "how to". Money aside, you are a brave man to do that with little or no experience in redoing upholstery. The truck looked great! You are a man of many talents!

We have a 16 screw cab xlt with the 5.0. Great truck. We just bought the covers for them when we bought the truck. But they get dirty as well and have to be cleaned from time to time. Good job on this tutorial! Maybe when the kids are grown and finished destroying these seats I’ll upgrade to these. For 5-600 bucks that’s a sweet upgrade! Thanks for the video on this snowy day!

Finishing up this install today and this video helped me pin point which parts would be the most challenging! First time install for me, and in two days all that’s left is the center console and to reinstall everything

I put Katzkins in my F150 a few years ago when I had Covid. You are correct, it was a pain in the butt, but the results were well worth it. Best thing I ever did to that truck.

My goodness man, you did an absolute phenomenal job!! And thank you for making this video for all of us to see you work and struggle with this, fantastic man!! You did a great Job!! and deserve the $1k you saved by doing this yourself, spend it on your family, have a great time with $1K create those memories!! Wow!! Absolutely the best man!!

Thanks for making this video and giving me the courage to tackle it. I watched your video a couple of times which made the install doable. Well worth the cost savings vs professional installer. 👍🏼

Great video Neil. Excellent explanations and great video angles. Better than any modern car shows!!!

“A DIY motivator “ I like that

If it’s for work and personal it’s nice to have a clean truck! That was a heck of an install, Neil.

Fantastic video. I feel this is something I can do after seeing your tips and tricks. It’s such a price premium to get a Lariat for the sole purpose of leather seats.

👍😄 from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 in a hard Lockdown and curfew . Thanks fot the nice video . Stay Safe and Healthy you and the Fam

I've been seriously considering buying these. I've watched so many install videos I've convinced myself i can do it. But I want to thank you for your video. Your the only one that showed replacing the console lid. Everyone else had the black plastic lid. I was wondering if they even made it.

I appreciate the honesty of the difficulty level of the installation. While I have the time and do a lot of projects I am in my 70s and my hand strength has gone away so I will be looking for an installer. Thanks

Thanks a lot! Good info here- helped me do my 2019 F250. Was a little intimidated to get started but got it done. Love it!!

Thanks! Mine arrived today and this is my weekend project.

When I was a GM technician back in the 90's, I specialize in interior trim... I've done many seat covers, except back then they didn't use the clips, they used hog rings...the clips make it so much easier. You did an excellent job!

Thanks for the video and your advice to cut the cloth away from the plastic listing and then slide the listing out of the clips. That tip saved me who knows how much time. Originally, I was going to try to save the cloth covers, but so glad I saw your video. Even with cutting the original cloth, the install still took me quite a bit of time but the finished product looks amazing. Thanks for the tip!

Great Video, I am about to do the seats in my 2016 with the Katzkin leather. Thank you for taking the time to make this video it will be a great help.

Looks really good and I'm sure just as rewarding. I'm saving now for mine.

Fantastic video!!!! Started my truck today. 3 hours and I have the back seats and all the headrests done. It’s a bit of a learning curve. Leaving the center jump seat for last.

Great video! Watched it multiple times before attempting my f150. I bought mine on ebay from a reseller also. I will say, it's much easier to turn the cover inside out and "roll" it on than trying to put the foam into it like a pillowcase. Also, my 2011 uses hog rings, not the snap system just in case anyone else is doing that year.

We did this to our 2017 f250 last year and love the katzkin leather.

Well done. Katskin is held to a higher standard than cheap covers for air bag safety. Good warranty too. Carmax sells thousand of these upgrades.

Just installed a Katzkin kit in my F150 yesterday. About 6 hours total time but well worth it.

Loved the video I'm looking to replace the covers in my new car and was glad to see someone install them! and yes STUPID to have cloth interior in a work truck!

I did my 2016 F150 Screw a few years ago with Katskin and they still look like new. I did mine in about 5 hours including removal and reinstall of the seats (I had a console). But that jump seat can easily take hours more. I helped a friend with his and that thing was a nightmare. If you plan to do it yourself go into it knowing your going to just cut apart your cloth covers. Like he said do not bother trying to save them. For the headrests use a plastic bag and a vacuum to compress them it wont do much but that with using a heat gun to warm up the material makes its slide easy. And yeah your fingers will be raw and sore for days!

Another great video from Neil. The editing is awesome. I don’t want to change the seat covers in my Uber car but I do now lol 😂🇬🇧

Great share, the leather seats in SO many used cars is a problem - nice when new but they wear fast. Probably will jump in with this on my next used Expedition...

Man! thank you for this tutorial. Your video helped me not to return covers that I purchased.

just bought Lariat OEM take offs for my 2021 for $400. Im using your video to install the rears. Gonna get a shop to the do the fronts. I appreciate this video. Thank you

you needed to do it.they look great .very informative and the tips will help.

“The clip broke, so I used a zip tie.” This is the only reason I know you’re a true professional lol I’d like to do this to my 2005 F150. It’s got leather seats, but they’re gettin worn. This looks like the type of thing I’d try on someone else’s vehicle, but not sure about mine lol.

Same here. After watching your video O realized I have to pay someone for this job lol. Even a DIY guy have limits! Great video! Watched it full!

This is the best diy video on doing this. Thank you 👍👍

you are a patient man my friend!!

Great an very detailed video.. saved ima have to watch few more times

Just installed RoadWire leather seats in my pickup. They look incredible.

That was helpful. I just bought a f150 supercrew and have been looking at Katzkin seats.

Awesome video bro thanks to you I was able to install my Katzkin on my 2020 f150 🙏🏻💪🏻👊🏻👊🏻

Great video! But after watching and realizing how lazy I am and my ability to screw everything up. That 1-2k for installation is completely with it for me 😄

Great idea!! Good job guys!!

great video!!! It will take me the “lifespan” of the truck to make it happen 😮

My work trucks were rusty and junky! I purposely got old rusty trucks because I could make them do the job for a lot less money. One was a V8 that sometimes ran on only 6 cylinders. With today's computerized engines, the truck would of not run; however without a computer it would just spit the extra gas out the tail pipe and just a little less power. It was easy to fix by replacing two spark plugs which I always had in the glove compartment. When it would not run at all it was because it needed new points, which I also keep in the glove compartment. I always put in the best oversized battery I could find so it would start and the best tires I could get so I would not have flats. However the rim was so rusty that when I overloaded the truck, the tire broke the bead on the rim!! I still can't believe it! I had one ton helper springs added to a half ton truck and it was squatting down. So leather seats would be silly in my case. However I think it is a good choice for you; your trucks in that business need to look nicer and more over you drive the family around in the truck.

Great video - thanks! One thing worth considering, it is pretty cheap to just buy replacement foam for the bottom part of the driver's seat. You can upgrade the quality of the foam for ~$150, or get OEM foam for

Thanks for the airbag tip!

Great video! Helped me out a ton!

Great informative video. Definitely worth the time and hard work to install them. Did you disconnect the battery prior removing the seats to prevent any airbag lights coming up?

Great video! Like you, I try to do my own labor. Patience and perseverance! While I'm sure I could accomplish this, I don't think my old fingers could take the abuse required to finish. I'll probably spring for the install. I do agree leather wears much better and is easier to take care of. 👍👍

Cool, thanks for the video.

Just got my new 2023 Tacoma TRD SPORT with black Katzkin from RMT CUSTOMS from San Antonio Mccombs Toyota and it's amazing the way it looks now

I ordered mine for I’m a construction worker but love to use my truck for family events Because it’s so easy to clean no doubt leather is a great choice

Every nice video and great job!!!

Great job

Pro tip, the foam for the bottom of the drivers seat is readily available from ford dealers for like 75 bucks. I change the foam in my 2017 f-250 every two years since new.

very will explained and I bought one from eBay for my 2017 f 150 I will do next weekend

Yes, its awsome. If you get a steamer then you can steam the foam out to original size most of the time instead of adding more foam

Great Video

Great job!!

Me: I should see about adding leather to the f150 Neil: you’re not gonna believe this, I’ve got a video for that too 😂😂 From one JD enthusiast to another, thanks for the content as always

Superbe explainations. I ever changed upholstery once, the driver seat's backrest of my 1987 Mercedes 190, about 6hr, I did it with the seat in place, and no instructions.

Great job 🎉🎉🎉

Awesome job and I'm 50/50 on leather for a work truck. Pro- easy cleanup, looks amazing Cons- live in TX so HOT AS BALLS . Unless you do double limo tint and double limo on bra and go atleast 2 inches past state line. Other than that Awesome job love the black

Great video. You can buy those U clips. It's easier to replace them vs reusing them

Looked like a lot more work than I would have anticipated, just like a few weeks ago when I thought I would replace old decking with Trex in a day or two and it took five and a half days... Looks great when it's done, but part way through you start regretting your choices.

Fantastic... Good for you... I'm thinking of doing my 2007 Honda Element... Wish me luck 😋😎

Thank you 🙏🏽

Thanks for DIY installation video of Katzkin. Do you think that generally it will be the similar procedure for Jeep Liberty 2011?

The seats look great! I'm about to tackle this on my 2017 f250 and this video is going to be a huge help. One question though, why did you have to take the air bags out of the front seats?

Nice thanks

I forgot about catskins. I remember Stacy did them on “trucks” back in the day. Thanks for the video!

great video DIY. however, the co. will not sell the kit w/o the installer cost attached. it's all inclusive whether you do or don't.

If the zip ties worked so well, I would have forgone the clips all together.. They looked like a real PITA!

How did you do the rear headrests with the fold down buttons?- did you pop them out/what was the technique you used? Thanks!!

I can see both ways, I think a work truck with leather/vinyl is smarter but at the same time (especially for fleet trucks) it’s just a work truck meant to get dirty🤷🏼‍♂️😂. Looks awesome though, I have a red katzkin coming for my mustang👍🏼

I love it I’ll pay for someone to do it Live in New York Limousine driver No space no time too much Fosse good job 🏁🇺🇸

Hey Neil, where do you buy the Katzkin kit? I looked on their website and they don’t offer it for sale seems like and eBay charges like 1000 bucks for a kit

I got leather in my Denali and I had cloth in my one ton. Wished I had leather my one ton. I wonder if they make a replacement seat bottom for my 03 GMC Denali it is trashed. Got 369 thousand miles on it. That is very ambitious and it looks beautiful buddy. What a good job.

Yeah. Too much for me. Impressed with your attention to detail.

Would you happen to have any knowledge on heated seats? Looking to do this to my truck but don’t want to mess the elements up.

How did you get the seat covers themselves? I emailed katzkin and they said they don't sell them alone.

How fortuitous! My cloth Tundra seats are nasty looking. I was discussing it with my spousal unit. But, had not begun searching yet. So, I plugged it in and “Katzkin” popped up. Looks like I just added to my project list. I feel your pain with upholstering. As you know, I worked in the furniture industry from 1971 to 2008. The last 12 years was as Quality Manager of a huge recliner factory. (625,000 sq/ft of floor space under one roof, 1400 employees and 2000+ finished chairs/sofas per day.) I had worked in wire making and forming, woodworking, furniture hardware stamping-assembly-installation, assembly machinery design testing, foam manufacturing... you know, everything but upholstery . This plant brought in raw lumber, coil steel, foam blocks, fabric rolls, leather hides and all the associated small components required to make reclining chairs and sofas. Within 17 hours those were converted into finished units, in a box, in the warehouse. If the hardwood lumber had been brought in kiln dried, the time would have been under 10 hours. Did I mention that I knew nothing about upholstery? Well, when taking the job, I requested that I have the opportunity to fully upholster a chair. So, on Friday of my first full week I met the Upholstery Manager at 6AM to learn how to do it. In a plant that survives on how many good chairs it makes each day... everything depends on how fast and how well the upholsters did their job. All other employees were just support for them. As a consequence of that fact, the highest paid and most respected employees worked there. That’s where I was introduced to Smokin’ Joe. Joe was a 20some year upholsterer. I asked him why they called him Smokin’ Joe. He turned red in the face and told me that it was a nickname that someone had pegged him with years ago. As we walked over to the training area the Manager said, “I’ll come back and see how you are doing about lunchtime. Don’t staple your finger.” I stopped him and said, “It shouldn’t take that long. I’ll call on the radio when we are done.” The setup was a workstation with two upholstery tables and tool sets in mirror opposite positions. There were carts with two identical sets of cloth chair components on them. Joe explained that he would make one while I made the other. We started with the easiest component, the legrest.As we worked Joe explained all of the specifications and techniques meticulously. And, I noticed that he did it left handed. This aided greatly because I could just grip, smooth, pleat, stuff and staple without having to transfer the motions in my head. At the end of the first hour we had completed the first task of putting foam, upholstery and a dust cover on a flat board. On to the seat. It was a bit more complicated. The seat frame had springs, thicker foam with a Dacron fiber pad, vertical staple surfaces and a stretcher in the back containing welt cord that had to hook into clips. Fortunately, I had learned a little already and it only took 1.5 hours to finish that. At which time we took our morning break. At the vending machines one of my QA techs said, “I see you are working with Smokin’ Joe. Do you think you can beat him?” I said, “I’m not trying to beat him. But, he’s a good trainer especially because he’s left handed.” He grinned and said, “Joe’s not left handed. That’s just his training mode.” I thought about that as I went back to the training room. When I got there, Joe was putting out the components for the back upholstery. As I watched, I noticed that he was indeed right handed. So I asked him about it. He told that he had learned to do upholstery with either hand. It was faster than turning the pieces around when you went from the left to the right side. He also said it helped keep his hands from cramping so badly. We proceeded. The back was a booger. It had all the challenges of the seat on steroids. And, the outside back was pulled taut with tack strips that took me half an hour to master. That took us to lunch... at which the Upholstery Manager returned. He looked at what we’d done and asked Joe, “Do you think you’ll finish by quitting time?” Joe shrugged and said, “There’s always tomorrow.” That made me blush. I told them I’d hurry all I could. To which the Upholstery Manager said, “Don’t rush. Learn how to do it right.” So, we started on the left body arm. (I did left while Joe did right.) Then we started on the other body panel. We finished about a half hour before quitting time. I was really pleased that we’d finished before the end of Joe’s shift! I called the Upholstery Manager on the radio. When he came over he inspected my work... and he showed me a couple of details that I needed to fix. As Joe and I were doing the repairs he asked, “What time do you want to start tomorrow?” Well, a Final assembler showed up to train me on Saturday. It only took about an hour to put together the mechanism with the body arms, seat, legrest and back. So, I walked over to thank Joe. He was upholstering and never missed a beat as we talked. The style he was making was a bit more complicated than what we had made. It had a button tufted back, chaise style legrest to seat attachment and butterfly overarm padding. I asked him how long it would take him to upholster it. He said, “Cloth takes 32 minutes. Leather, 35.... if I was doing the style we made yesterday it would only take 19 minutes.” I said, “Pardon me. Did you say 19?” He said, “Yep. That’s cloth, it doesn’t come in leather.” I have to tell you that I was humbled... but, I soon learned that Smokin’ Joe wasn’t fibbing. I checked into it. There were 34 styles of chairs. (Sofas were in a separate upholstery department.) All upholsters had to take the next chair that came down the line. That meant that from one chair to the next, Joe would be doing a different style more often than not. Joe averaged 22 chairs per 8 hour day. He held the plant record at 34. Additionally, he had perfect attendance (including no tardy points) almost every year. I pulled up a quality report and found out that his First Time Through rate was over 99.8%. That’s right, including dangling threads, crooked staples, wrinkles... defects both cosmetic, major and critical... Joe’s units were perfect 998 out of 1000! A couple of years later our corporate product engineering group asked to have Joe sent to their facility. They video taped him assembling chairs. Then, they used those to train trainers and analyzed them to make design changes that improved the ease of assembly. He brought with him several tools that he’d made. Two were copied and duplicated for company wide use. The staple puller was a flat screwdriver with a slot ground in the widthwise edge of the blade. The second one was what Joe called a Regulator. It was a very thin sharp ice pick. You insert it between the stitches of a seam and moved around the Dacron and Polyfoam inside to smooth or fluff the arm, back, etc. Neil, whether you’re watching a golfer, backhoe operator, artist or upholster... if you’re watching the best of the best you are glad that you can’t unsee it! Today, I had the opportunity to see one of the best DIY’ers tutors on YT! Thanx. PS... can you guess where he got the Smokin’ Joe moniker?

SEAT INSTALL QUESTION - are the bottom cushions from the two front seats interchangeable (40/20/40 config) ? I have some wear and compression on my drivers side that would be nicely hidden if a simple swap will work. Appreciate hearing what you think after having pulled everything apart. Thanks -

What a great video, and you just can’t beat those results. I have the same truck and the same reasons... My only question is that Katzkins are expensive, and I am suspicious of the $500 price tag... Are you sure they’re not vinyl? Did you buy them from the manufacturer? Thanks, Nate

A whole Sunday and 4 evenings? Only takes 62 minutes @ 88 seconds per station to manufacture an entire seat son! Good thing you are a a dirt Guru Neil. I really enjoyed this one just to watch you struggle, since you are so damn good at everything else. I'd love to see the blooper reel on this one! I was gonna include a How it's Made clip, but I didn't want to add insult to injury. Love home brother. Keep doing what you are doing!

Hi there Greetings from Bahrain I have a solid question for you, is the Katzkin using natural leather or it is vinyl leather ?

Do you know is it still pretty do-able with heated front seats and power seats?

Just got a quote from them, they don't sell the covers alone anymore, you have to purchase the installation and the covers 1.9k for a 2016 f150 double cab

Looks great! Where can I get a company truck like that? 🤔

Did you check a salvage yard to see if they had leather seats out of a wreck?

I’d love to find a video as great as this for a console lid. Did all my seats myself and it was far easier than I thought, crazy sore fingers asideLOL All I have left is the lid. I swear a read somewhere you needed shallower staples for it but now I can’t find anything about it😐

Yup they wre just need to have the time and patience j believe i will havr a hell of a time doing it. Gez i need to borrow my moms csr tk gk tk work when i start doing that to mine. Lol

I did that 15 years ago. Lucky it was a 2005 1 cab. No consul. Still I could of used this video.