Looking for a 1st Gen - cloth to leather conversion?

[71Rcode]

Thanks taking a look at my first post, guys. I'm looking for a first gen Expedition - preferably a 4x4 / 5.4 - and the cleanest ones I'm finding in the DFW area have cloth interior. (by clean I mean lower miles, lower number of owners, better overall condition). BTW, I'm a DIYer all the way.

1) Has anyone converted cloth to leather? (2 front seats, middle and rear seat). 2) Wrecking yards/ebay: I wouldn't think used OEM seats is the way to go as the leather in these 15 year old Expeditions was never that great to begin with
3) Upholstery shop sew new covers? I cringe at the potential cost of this...
4) Install another model / newer model year seat?
5) Should I just tap the brakes and wait for a clean XLT with leather to pop up

Thanks in advance.

(here are two for sale I'm considering - both have under 110k and have cloth)

 

[Stoned06]

Welcome. IMO, in an older vehicle, the leather will be pretty worn. Look into Katskin to see how expensive replacement covers would cost. They are a pretty decent manufacturer of seat covers of all materials. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the 3rd row is vinyl if the car has leather from the factory.

 

[Jay87LX]

Those look to be nice examples, I would forgo leather to have something that clean- rust is a huge issue up here

 

[71Rcode]

Thanks, guys. I keep waffling betwen the 2nd gens (love the first gen look), but humping and storing that third row seat out constantly is on my mind.

I'll check out katskin, for sure. And yeah, I want clean, rust free TX example.

Jay, if I told you I could get either one of those for $5500-6500, would you still think they're a nice deal? Beaters are half that here... But I've restored old Mustangs for years, and it always costs more to bring one up to *****.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Yeah if you can find one with near 100k miles then i would not worry a whole lot about leather. My leather seats are pretty beat up after 15 years, and I just have cheap covers over them. Worry most about maintenance history and whether you are going to want things like the HD towing package etc. Mine has it and I am very glad it does because the tranny cooler helps a lot in my opinion. My old man's 04 does not have the HD package, and we have had serious problems with his.

 

[GaryH2]

I had an 02 with leather several years ago. The third row is vinyl, I can tell you that. You can also check out AutoAnything. They have leather and pleather seat covers for first and second rows.

FWIW, we swapped out the 02 for an 07 EL. The third row was worth the price of admission! Now when we go to Maine, all of the coolers and such fits inside! No more roof rack or wheeless trailer rack!

 

[Exia]

Best advice junk yards.. just tell them I would trade these for the leather ones, they may ask for some cash but it wont be as much since you are trading

 

[KWT2000]

i prefer leather as it cleans up easier and takes the abuse from the kids and dog much better than cloth plus leather doesn't absorb smells as easily

 

[splintrcel]

The third row appears to be same as the rest of the car, how can you tell the difference. I am 100% sure my truck came with leather seats. To me they all the rows match but i could be missing something. I also dont see why they would change the material for the last row. It doesnt make sense.

 

[KWT2000]

maybe it didn't come with the 3rd row, as all 1st gen expy's and excursions use the same 3rd row it could of been added

 

[splintrcel]

Well it came from the factory with one. But it could of been an after thought from ford during the original manufacture, you never know. The expy is the first full size SUV ford made. You dont get everything right the first time.

 

[KWT2000]

Well it came from the factory with one. But it could of been an after thought from ford during the original manufacture, you never know. The expy is the first full size SUV ford made. You dont get everything right the first time.

that is true but atleast it don't feel like driving a sofa down the road

 

[71Rcode]

Thanks for all the responses, everyone. I've been dove hunting for a couple days and am back relaxing at home (on labor day). New questions:

1) How long does it take to unbolt the third-row seat on the 1st gen? I can see having to do this a few times a month as our needs change with hauling stuff or kids from one trip to the next. That's why the 2nd gen is so appealing, although I don't like them as much.

2) Was '97-98 the only years you could get the split front bench? I think that was available... call me weird but I like front benches. I need to to do more research on this to see how they were configured.

KWT - I agree with what you said about the leather. It cleans up way more easily with kids and pets. Those fabric seats just soak up the stink. Again, thanks for all the tips about the wrecking yards and such.

 

[splintrcel]

Your back seat is bolted in? Mine folds and can slide right out. Mine is a 2001 but i didnt think it would be that different.