Im considering a 04' SD with the King Ranch option and was wondering how that beautiful leather is holding up over the long haul?

If its anything like the cheapo leather in the Lariat, Im getting an XLT with cloth. My current truck with Lariat leather is showing cracks in the finish and I only have 14K on the truck and I've used leather lotion every single month

 

2001 with almost 30k miles. The leather doesn't look perfect but, on a scale of 1-10, it's a solid 9.0. Of course, I've babied it along the way though... I've seen trucks on ebay with half that many miles that look like absolute crap.

Unlike the Lariat leather, if you take care of it, it'll take care of you.

RP

 

thats what I was hoping to hear. It sucks when you care and take care of something and it still goes to crap

 

Over the past couple of years, I've noticed an alarming number of folks talking about the clear cracking on the Lariats. I mean, it's not just one or two people that are seemingly having this problem, it's on several orders of magnitude greater than that.

I think the interiors on the Lariats are very nice but, they really need to do something about the consistant problems of late.

RP

 

My KR will be two years old on December 17th (with only 7600 miles) and like RP, the leather isn't perfect but it's in great shape. Here in Virginia, it gets very hot in the summer. Last year, we had a particularly long, hot summer and the sun coming through the KR windows did a number on that dark KR leather. It lost a lot of its dark color but it didn't crack and its still as comfortable as the day I bought it. I also use leather conditioner on it like most other KR people. All in all, the leather is going to show signs of wear over time. It's inevitable. Besides, it adds character to the truck. With care, the leather should last as long as you own the truck.

 

See I consider that 'aging' of the leather a good thing I dont mind the well used look; i.e. darkening from use or scuffing, kinda like a baseball glove or saddle, but the cracking and cheap damaged look is bad.

I always tint the windows on my vehicles to prevent fading, but even the lightening is cool as long as the integrity is there. I would think some lexol would richen up the color again...

~You guys have me really leaning toward the KR now

****A specific area of concern would be the outer edge of the drivers seat. That spot gets the worst beating from entry and exits (thats where my Lariat is showing the cracking

 

That bolster (as it's called) is my one and only problem area as well. I have to make sure that I don't slack at all on getting the conditioning there. I'm in and out of my truck alot but, I try to make a concious effort to not 'slide' across it each and every time and, thus far, it seems to be making a big difference.

I can't wait to see the SD KR if you get it! I've sat at the dealership and drooled all over the paint (specifically a F-250 that was Chestnut with the PS Diesel). WOW!! What a machine! It's definately way too much truck for me though...

Let us know how it turns out!! If it's a SuperDuty, it'll be made right here in Kentucky at the Kentucky Truck Plant. They'll take good care of ya!

RP

 

My KR's going on 6 months old. She is garaged at night and under a parking garage during the day. The back seats have yet to carry a passenger, and I average about 500 miles per month.

I baby my leather and yet I'm having some trouble spots. The upper portion of the steering wheel and the driver's side of the front center console are getting dark. Really dark.

I've used nothing but the King Ranch treatment and probably need to invest in some powerful cleaner. I've thought of using baby shampoo but any recommendations would be highly appreciated.

The seats, even the unused rear ones, are getting an 'allegator' appearance in spots, although the leather is still soft. Am I expecting too much?

 

I dont like the sound of the alligatoring. I know what you mean though; its like the leather is drying and shrinking under the skin right? I see that on finished leather alot, but Im surprised the KR leather would even do that. I hear alot of good things about LEXOL products....

The darkening is just dirt and body oils saturating into the leather. For some reason, that doesnt bother me, but gives it a good worn look

RP-

Bolster! yes thats it

right now, I have a built to spec. XLT on order, but the dealer Im going through has a HUGE SD inventory and said that if I dont want it, he has no issue putting it on the lot as I have good taste
SO ~ my wife is Drooling all over the KR in the chestnut brown and that may be the way we go when we choose between my ordered truck and the KR side by side.
The KR is $2400 more than my ordered truck under the X-Plan. We'll see if she throws some pretty pleases and promises on top to sway my vote

 

From what I hear, the baby soap is the way to go on cleaning your trouble spots. This is why I never drive touching the castano on the steering wheel now though. I have had one wheel replaced (however, it was faulty from a stitching standpoint).

I know what you're speaking of when you say 'Aligator'. I don't think you're asking too much but, I haven't really had much of that with Lexol. I'm not sure if it's the leather or potentially the conditioner... just a thought.

RP

 

May as well capitalize on that X plan pin #! Get the KR!

(I'll probably splurge on my next truck as well... A-plan! )

RP

 

My connection to the KR bunch is our white F350. It sits outside one of the horse barns with the other pullers and besides an occasional washing, doesn't really get very good care. I don't think anyone thought about it being different from any of the other trucks. I drive it occasionally and have noticed that the leather isn't holding up as well as the lariat leather in the other trucks. Also the steering wheel is really looking bad. Thought about cleaning it or conditioning it but it probably won't be around very long. Not a very good choice for how it's used.