Katzkin seat review

Longhorn84

Longhorn84

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Aug 20, 2018
Messages
436
Location
Houston
Just FYI, if you like to not add up the $$$ you "invest" in your jeep, new foam from summit and katzkin leather (with heating/cooling) was a massive win for me in the Texas heat. I wanted to keep stock look with stock functionality but dress it up and really wanted at least some air through the seat, so far I'm super happy with the decision and wanted to share since I haven't seen many other idiots like me who put katzkin in a TJ.


IMG_5068.webp
 
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I have been looking at Katzkin covers.
How was the install process? Do they install over the factory upholstery or does it replace the factory upholstery? Can you share more details on how the cooled feature works?
 
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sunnysideup_lj said:
I have been looking at Katzkin covers.
How was the install process? Do they install over the factory upholstery or does it replace the factory upholstery? Can you share more details on how the cooled feature works?
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They (Katzkin) work with you on the design and then they ship the leather to a local installer. They're the ones who remove the old upholstery and reupholster the seat. The cooling and heating feature is a Peltier device that is a small heat exchanger that does a decent job at making some cooling and some heating but it's not like your vents are ducted to your seats. Not great photos but these are the actual parts, they are below the seats, a hole is cut in the foam, and a distribution pad since just underneath the perforated leather.

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Longhorn84 said:
then they ship the leather to a local installer.
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Shame. Seat covers, particularly like those in our Jeeps, aren't that difficult to install. A good pair of side cutters and hog ring pliers will get you far. Think I'd prefer to install myself (if I was buying).

I'm not huge on the diamond tufting personally, but they look to be nicely made and work with the factory interior.
 
They look great. I've been on that fence for a while... Upgrade the factory seats like you did, or new prp seats. Both options are pricey. Both options are cool and both have pros and cons
 
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TheBoogieman said:
They look great! I'm guessing the total price is more than the KBB value of my Jeep. :cry:
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There were pricey but I can always find a way to convince myself it's a good use of my pesos. The seat foam itself makes the seat so much more comfortable and the cooling is nice, I wanted a reason to drive it more and the upgrade did it's job!
 
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chili_pepper said:
Shame. Seat covers, particularly like those in our Jeeps, aren't that difficult to install. A good pair of side cutters and hog ring pliers will get you far. Think I'd prefer to install myself (if I was buying).

I'm not huge on the diamond tufting personally, but they look to be nicely made and work with the factory interior.
Click to expand...

I think they will ship them directly to you but I don't think they will if you get the heating/cooling, that's a bit more specialized and I didn't want to take it on. At the end of the day it's time, they were also doing the rears and I just didn't want to mess with it.
 
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kmas0n said:
They look great. I've been on that fence for a while... Upgrade the factory seats like you did, or new prp seats. Both options are pricey. Both options are cool and both have pros and cons
Click to expand...

Yep, true, I just see people on here wanting factory functioning seats with after market and I think the reupholstery route is the only way to keep factory slide and tumble, and I like to keep stock look if I can.
 
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Longhorn84 said:
I think they will ship them directly to you but I don't think they will if you get the heating/cooling, that's a bit more specialized and I didn't want to take it on. At the end of the day it's time, they were also doing the rears and I just didn't want to mess with it.
Click to expand...

I think the diamond tufting is growing on me from the second round of photos. Fully understand having someone else do the fitting, the DIY option is always nice, though. (y)
 
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I have Katzkin in the Tundra and love them, but the TJ got PRP Summit seats. Leather seats in an open Jeep in AZ are gunna get hot…..
 
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chili_pepper said:
Shame. Seat covers, particularly like those in our Jeeps, aren't that difficult to install. A good pair of side cutters and hog ring pliers will get you far. Think I'd prefer to install myself (if I was buying).
Click to expand...

You can install the Summit racing seat foam in mine if you need some practice. ;)
p.s. I looked into pricing for the OP's seat covers. I could buy 5 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss 35s for much less. Unfortunately, I can't afford either. :cautious:
 
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bbaldwin237 said:
Hey, PRP is having their biggest sale ever at 17.76%. The heated and cooled option is only an $800 upgrade 😳
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Thanks for the heads up. If any of my rich relatives die (before me) and leave me money, that will be #7 on my TJ upgrade list. 🥳
p.s. When I used to make a lot of money, I still didn't like throwing it away with mods with zero returns when I sold my Jeeps.. 🤔
 

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