Like the title says, I installed grey Katzkin on my '13 GC Laredo over a span of two days. I spent around 15 hours from start to finish. I also installed generic carbon fiber seat warmers (take for ever to heat) with the buttons on the side of the seats on the plastic seat side trim.
Let me tell you had I known how hard this project was, I would have paid someone else to do it.
I love the look and I am quite satisfied with how it turned out but I would never do it again.
It is a lot of hard work, I did not have instructions and had to figure things out. Hence the reason it took so long.
I curse Jeep for using locktite on the seat screws!!! What a nightmare to remove the screws.
For those of you thinking about doing this my advice is, hire someone.
I hope the summer heat will help with getting the wrinkles off the seats.
I tapped the lighter outlet in the center console storage. I noticed when taking the picture this morning that the connection is hot even with the ignition off. I will re-run the wires into a switched fuse in the fuse box.
Based on other photos I've seen and a sample at the accessory store, I think you did a very good job especially since it was your first time and there were no instructions.
Based on other photos I've seen and a sample at the accessory store, I think you did a very good job especially since it was your first time and there were no instructions.
Thanks. I think they came out pretty nice. I think this was one of the hardest things I've ever done.
I was under the impression that I would be needing hog rings and pliers to do the job. To my surprise I didn't. Honestly I would have preferred hog rings. The covers come with a plastic strip that has to be inserted into retainers in the seat foam cushions. Holy hell, those were hard to get in.
I'm in the middle of installing Katzkin seat covers myself in my 2011 Grand Cherokee. I still have the drivers seat to do. I'm glad my son has been helping me cause I didn't think it would be this hard doing it myself. It is a lot of work for two hands. We spend about 3 to 4 hours to do a seat.
My son and I both agree that this work should be left to the professionals.
When we are finished I'll post some pics if you guys are interested. So far, I like how the seats are turning out.
Mininuke, Your seats looks very nice, well done! Thanks for posting the photos.
I'm in the middle of installing Katzkin seat covers myself in my 2011 Grand Cherokee. I still have the drivers seat to do. I'm glad my son has been helping me cause I didn't think it would be this hard doing it myself. It is a lot of work for two hands. We spend about 3 to 4 hours to do a seat.
My son and I both agree that this work should be left to the professionals.
When we are finished I'll post some pics if you guys are interested. So far, I like how the seats are turning out.
Mininuke, Your seats looks very nice, well done! Thanks for posting the photos.
I'm glad you are almost finished. I see you too agree this is very hard to do. It is rewarding though. I love the new look. The grey seats look amazing set against the black interior. I'm thinking about asking Katzkin if they can provide a matching cover for the center console lid.
must be a lot of insulation in that seat cover, I put a generic heated seat with the same switch in our chevy spark, it's hot by the end of the street!
I'm not sure. If you look them up on eBay you will find several vendors offering the basic black kit (perforated inserts and piping) for $550.
So basically you will be paying $550 for labor. If you have help, tools and the patience to do it, maybe you can save the money.
I did a cost comparison and realized that the 15 hours I spent was equivalent to around $840 dollars if I would have been paid what I make at work per hour.
Well I finally finished installing my Katzkin seat covers in my '11 Grand Cherokee. I bought them on Ebay from a business out of Denver Co.
I wasn't sure about the two tone color before I got them but overall I am happy how the colors match with the rest of the interior.
Also installed front seat heater pads but haven't had time to wire them in yet. I would like to install the switches in the console but leery drilling holes in it. Any help in wiring would be appreciated
I'm glad I bought a new bottom drivers seat cushion as the original was starting to break down from getting in and out of the car.
The interior is the dark/medium greystone.
Here is a link to my photobucket page, not to computer savvy ,hope it works. The before pictures are from the dealership ad when I bought the car last year. 2011 Grand Cherokee Slideshow by dirtbagdf | Photobucket
I spent a summer in college working at an aftermarket seat installer and had to install Katzkin and stock sets daily. We did have a steam machine to help, but we also would put the vehicles outside and cranked the heat for a bit to help let the creases settle.
When I did mine I removed the seat control trim cover first . The controls themselves just snap in, held in place with plastic tabs.
For the seat control cover : There's a Phillips? screw under the small plastic cover where the seat belt is bolted to the seat. I remember taking the seat out before separating the plastic cover tabs where the seat cushions meet then slide control cover panel forward. Having a panel tool and\or small screwdriver helps.
Their is a release for the headrest on the spike opposite of the height adjustment side. Might have to carefully pry up the round plastic cover to get to it. Be careful of the wire for the active headrest when removing the headrest. The back cover of the seat should be removed to disconnect it.
When I did mine I removed the seat control trim cover first . The controls themselves just snap in, held in place with plastic tabs.
For the seat control cover : There's a Phillips? screw under the small plastic cover where the seat belt is bolted to the seat. I remember taking the seat out before separating the plastic cover tabs where the seat cushions meet then slide control cover panel forward. Having a panel tool and\or small screwdriver helps.
Their is a release for the headrest on the spike opposite of the height adjustment side. Might have to carefully pry up the round plastic cover to get to it. Be careful of the wire for the active headrest when removing the headrest. The back cover of the seat should be removed to disconnect it.
There is a small hole in the side of the round plastic trim piece opposite of the adjustment side used to release the headrest from the seat. Using a pin or a stiff wire, I didn't have much luck with it. Ended up carefully prying up under the outside edge of the trim piece to expose the release. Once the headrest is removed, the guides in the seat can be removed.