Some before and after pics of my recent Katzkin Leather Kit and front/rear heated seat install. I will be adding more photos and elaborating on the process as time permits...
Before- Khaki Cloth. Upgrading to leather at some point was one of my conditions to buying this vehicle. Glad I finally had the chance!
If you ever wondered what the insides looked like... Simple foam, recessed Velcro strips, and lots of little hog rings.
2nd/3rd headrest removal- the silver clips work just like the front seats, you just have to pinch them through the cloth/leather.
I mounted my front seat heated-seat buttons in the unused bay of the overhead console. I had to splice/lengthen the wires to run up the A-pillars, but am pleased with the results.
Ugh. This was one of the most difficult parts of the process, several times. Spring loaded cables have to be taken off to remove the OEM cloth. Took me awhile to figure out that all three springs were relaxed if the seat was propped at a certain angle. Also, discovered why OEM heated seats are only in the front; all the flipping, folding, flexing action makes for tough wire running. Wound up cutting/splicing in some coil wire from a cig. lighter extension thing to allow the seat to fold properly, while not tugging on the wires and/or looking like Red Green did it.
Placement of the rear heated-seat switches. Not quite as fluid as the front switches, but they still integrated pretty well, IMO.
Heard alot about hog rings before the install, but never really knew what they were until I tore inside. Pretty simple. This is getting ready to crimp one around a plastic Katskin rib and a molded-in cord of the OEM seat.
Finished product. Went with a Two-tone "Canvas" and "Slate Grey" combo, with "Pewter" embroidery. None of these colors were recommended by Katzkins (Canvas is new this year for a Subaru match), but in the end everything matches perfectly; Canvas to the headliner, Slate to the carpeting, and Pewter to the seatbelts.
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