Hey everyone,
I'm going to trade-in my '97 ORP and order a 2001. I am trying to decide between the medium parchment leather (Lariat) and the medium graphite (XLT) The only reason I'd order the Lariat is the leather interior. I don't need the other Lariat items (wouldn't mind them, but don't have on my current XLT and could continue life w/o!!)
I think the tan leather would look excellent against the Black ext. I am slightly worried about care of the leather. I have a black ext and med grey interior now, the new dark graphite is a GREAT color as well..Any comments on keeping the tan leather clean (pain or not that bad???) Thanks in advance.

Devin

 

My wife has Grey Leather in her Expy...and we have t young boys 2 and 4 years old. The only drawback to it is that we have to put a blanket down on the seat to keep the kids car seats from scratching the leather or even tearing it. The good side is that it cleans up trememndously well and easy if they make a mess back there. Its a toss up, but I would take her leather over my med graphite cloth ANY day.

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Steve
Mine:
1999 F-150 Sport Supercab
Bright Red 4.6L Auto
Billet Grill, Billet Ant, Clear Corners, Sony CD Player, Pioneers in all doors, Kicker 100si Amp, MTX preformed underseat box. Fiberglass Bed Cover
Hers:
2000 Expy Sport
Black, Grey Leather 5.4L
Clear Corners, Alpine CD Player, Punch 150 Amp, JL Audio preformed sub box in rear panel.

 

Hi RockOFFROAD,

I have the med. parchment leather in my Lariat. I've only had it for about a month, so I can't tell you much about long-term care, but it is a really GREAT color. I have a similar leather color in my car and I have had it for 2 years with absolutely no problems. Before that, I had another car that was black with tan leather and it was a killer combinatoin. Clean up is a breeze. You won't regret the leather. Good luck on your choice.

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Ordered 1/19/01; TPW 3/12/01; ETA 3/26/01; Delivered 3/21/01; radiator replaced with 1.42" 4/12/01

2001 F150 4X4; 5.4; bright red; super cab; short bed; Lariat; captains chairs; class III tow package; electric shift-on-the-fly; 3.55 LSD; sliding rear window

Mods: Westin Platinum nerf bars; ARE "T" cap

Mods in my garage, waiting to be installed: PIAA 80XT's and super white bulbs; Bedrug

Future mods: Manik stainless brush guard

 

Link and Xeroxman1,
Thanks for the input, that's exactly what I was looking for.
Link,
I have not seen a black F150 with a tan interior yet, but I'm thinking it would be absolutely kick-a$$!!
Thanks again,

Devin

 

Ok RockOFFROAD,

I should be able to enlightne you on this since I:

1)own a carpet and upholstery cleaning business
2)just bought a 01 Lariat with medium parchment interior
3)the 99 XLT I traded had the Dark Graphite interior

Trust me, the leather is a little more preventative maintenance but overall is easier to keep clean. We had leather in a 98 Explorer that held up extremely well (the only part of it that did).
The Dark Graphite is a great color but it takes a lot of effort to keep every speck of dust and lint from showing on the dash and door panels. The carpet and upholstery held up great with very little work, hides dirt well. The color becomes very very depressing after two years and makes the interior seem small compared to the lighter colors. Paint your living room dark graphite and you will see what I mean. It is also hard to find matching accessories for that color.

Lariat VS XLT, I should have bought a Lariat instead of either the 98 or 99 XLT I had before. Things like the drivers door keypad and autolamp seem kinda unwarranted until you have them. It is great. Just the standard power drivers seat is worth the extra $$ to me.

You only live once, try out a Lariat.

 

Definitely go with the leather. As you can see from my sig, I have the color scheme that is awesome. The best thing about the leather is the quality and feel.
The very best thing is clean-up. My dog doesn't get car sick anymore, but whe she did it just wiped off. Nothing soaks into the seat and no smells remained. Also, things like animal hair and lint just wipe right off!

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01' Supercrew Lariat Black
Gen-III
5.4L
4X4
Med. Parchment Interior
Leather Captain's Chairs
Moonroof
CD Changer
LSD
Factory Cab Steps
Bedliner
Bug Deflector
Slider
No Mods
No Tow Package

 

Seacrow's right. I had a '97 with the Medium Graphite interior and cloth seats. I liked it, but when I traded up to the '99 Lariat, it had a Light Prairie Tan interior and it totally changed the driving experience. It's a cooler and brighter color and just feels more pleasant.

My neighbor's son in law has the same truck I do, but in black with Harvest Gold trim. The tan interior looks great. I think it looks better than the medium graphite interiors and black paint.

Leather takes a lot more preventative maintenance. It needs to be cleaned and conditioned regularly. Takes me at least an hour to do both Captain's Chairs.

Just a quick vac job took care of the cloth seats.

 

I would've picked leather if I had known. This truck is the only cloth interior vehicle I ever owned. I vacuum and clean it pretty often,but I smack my hand down on the seat and dust comes flying up. I'm saving up for a leather replacement as you read this....98

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's,,too noisy
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Clear front corners
Speedglo gauges w/carbon fiber overlay
Carbon fiber Grant styling ring wheelcover
Stillen Quad light air dam,with Pilot PL-240 driving lights
Billet third brake light cover/oval pattern
Euro taillights,with APC red bulbs
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,and Soundstream P203e amplifier//Single 10" sub
Viper alarm
On the waywheels,tires,Proglass shaker hood,Steel Horse C5 leather seat
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com
WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!

I just "wish" it was lowered