2012 TRD Sport: Katzkin and Sunroof install

After months of research on TW - reading, searching and reviewing builds - I'm excited to share pics of newly installed Katzkin leather and Inalfa 925 power roof on my 2012 Super White TRD Sport Upgrade DCSB 4x4...

The leather:
So many options, but going with the storm trooper motif, I opted for: two tone, gray and black with black contrast stitching, center butt and lower back panels are perforated, upper and forward bottom panels are not. Upper fronts have white TRD logo stitched on top of black thread for offset. They are heated (just in time for winter and wow, does that high setting get hot!) I liked the switches in the console vs. on the side of the seats.

I've included an image of the pattern schematic from Katzin. There are two differences from prior years:
1) Rear headrests fold down so there is a hole for the arm latch to protrude
2) The rear seats have all "straight" lines - no curves like on the original material (see pics).

Note that I had them leave the arm rests existing gray vinyl...my opinion, no need to pay to have that turned to black vinyl. (Note: 2012 models have vinyl, not cloth armrests). Also, the center console was left the factory black vinyl also. They have already received their first Lexol cleaning and conditioning!

The sunroof:
Again, much research, debated between Inalfa and Webasto. Inalfa won because they had the special trim ring for the Tacoma ribbed roof. Inalfa 925 (largest you can get) which also has auto close feature. It was also important to me to have the control switch mounted on the lower left in one of the blanks. I ordered an extension ribbon cable for them to be able to run down the A pillar. The 2012 has the bluetooth mic in the upper console so the switch could not be mounted there (easily, that is). Plus, I think it looks more factory on the dash. They took the Inalfa piece off that goes around the switch so it fits nicely in the blank. My other big must was to not cut up the sunglasses console. I saw soo many pics of other members that got theirs chopped and it did not look good to me....not factory. As you can see in the pics, the console was moved up 1.5" and stayed intact. Installer also wrapped the new headliner beautifully around it...he did an amazing job! He said he spent a lot of extra time to make it right. The roof is not pushed back further to make this fit as I've read many complain about moving the roof back to save the sunglass console. I look up and I see out!

There is all new headliner and of course, it dropped the ceiling height down. I'm 6'4" and have no issues rubbing against my head. The installer was over an hour from my house and I drove home with it open all the way in 30 degree weather....it was awesome...of course my seat heater was on

It has been raining all week and dry as a bone inside. 3 year warranty and I'll go back once per year for free cleaning and lubrication.

The installer:
The first place I called gave me a quote on leather and sunroof, then he said his sunroof installer just quit so he has to "train a new one". His next sentence was "So when can you bring it in?" Yeeaahhh...let me call you back.

I then found Sunroof and Restylers City Inc. in Mentor, Ohio. Their installer has been doing this for 30 years. They sat down with me and I showed them EXACTLY what I wanted. They do 80% dealer work. After giving them pictures, descriptions etc., they ordered Katzkins. I was all set to drop off the truck and they called to say the leather did not have the contrast stitch and Katzkin corporate said "just give the guy $100 off"...the installer said no way, make a new set, the customer wants this. Darn right, waited this long, get the order right. Leather came in a couple days later so I dropped off truck. Drove my wife's RAV4 for several days, felt like a go-kart. Install took 3 days, but was fine by me. Felt like Extreme Makeover - Truck Edition when I went to pick up. The installer, again, went over everything with me, they went above and beyond. They even took in process photos for me which I'll upload soon. No wrinkles, no glue remnants left on roof, the interior was spotless when they finished. I would highly recommend them. I asked them to save the sheetmetal they cut out of the roof (see pic)...have my wife make a scrapbook page

The pics:
The kit pre-install



After getting home




Through the roof!

I'm sorry...that had to hurt...but you are so much nicer now










The full upper console, intact




Installer did an awesome job wrapping headliner around upper console


Switch looks as factory as possible now on the dash


Quick outside pics in vented position...its raining!




Finally, the schematic that shows the straight "lines" I mentioned above, not the curves in the seams as in the original fabric. At first, I thought this was a mixup but they confirmed this is for the TRD seats.


P.S. I'm selling the original fabric:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...rd-sport-dc-oem-seat-fabric-got-katzkins.html

Thanks for looking...I just added the OEM tube steps too, I'm going to create a build page soon. I love TW!

 

Damn totally diggin the roof.

 

That is fucking awesome! That leather looks better than a factory install . If you don't mind how much did the sun roof & install cost? I want to add that sun roof to my wish list .

 

very awesome! congrats

 

I'm also curious of the price of the sun roof & install. I may need to make a 1,300 mile trip

 

Thanks Murph....roof was $1,100. Ribbon wire extension $25. Extra labor to extend switch $75. Trim ring was $79. Cruising with the roof open....priceless.

 

Also, because I got leather and roof together...there was probably some degree of discount.

 

Looks good. How much did the sun roof cost?

 

See post #6

 

I like the seat covers. They look like my TRD covers from Toyota. Except I don't like the plastic middle section of mine - cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Need vented seats.

 

The seats look great! I went to the Katzkin website but their vehicle selector did not list a 2012 Tacoma. For the Tacoma, it only went up to 2011. Since the headrests are different, did Katzkin have to make the pattern specifically for your truck or have they just not updated their website ?

 

They have not updated their website yet. For the headrests, the only difference is poking the hole to allow for the lever install. As far as the "straight" lines I mentioned, the original fabric was just like the 05-11's, but the new kit fits just fine. See the group buy thread, John can answer more of your questions on that subject.

 

Looks good, how do you like the quality of everything in comparison to say like a European leather seat in a BMW, Audi etc...?

 

I am jealous!

 

Looks very nice.

 

The quality, in my opinion, is exceptional. The only European reference I have is my brother's BMW, which is probably more supple. I believe the Katzkins will only get better with continued Lexol maintenance (and warmer weather!) CST was considered but it looked cheaper, in my opinion, from the installs I've seen.

 

Very Nice! Sub'd for future build thread

 

your truck looks stunning. i am especially digging the sunroof, you really got a quality job there. congratulations!

 

Ya I love the black nappa leather in my M3...other than the quality of the leather is it tight to the seat? Some other pictures I've seen of installs have ripples in the side bolsters and such...not cool with me, it needs to be tight and have no movement.

 

great looking truck!! wish i could do that to my 12