I'm itching to pull the trigger on a new Screw. I know the options I want, the local dealer offered $100 over invoice (didn't even have to ask) but....

The one option I'm not sure of is leather. There were a lot of horror stories on other models, but the Screw supposedly has a better grade of leather (unless you are looking at a KR -- or HD or so I'm told -- which seem to have a MUCH better grade of leather). I saw one negative comment about Screw leather, parchment variety, with the leather flaking off, but not the cacaphony of the regular/supercab groups.

The local dealer doesn't have any Lariats in stock, but I found a different dealer who had a Lariat 4x4 in Highland green with parchment interior -- even the late style with read headrests. I don't want the truck, but at least I saw what the interior was like. I wasn't really bowled over by it (like I was on the King Ranch, but $$$$). It felt a whole lot like sitting on cheap vinyl. I'm not sure what I expected, but I don't think I got it. Admittedly I didn't have a whole lot of time to check it out, so maybe I didn't give it a fair chance.

And I wonder how will it will keep its appearance over time.... I have a '97 Supercab XLT with gray cloth interior. Other than a few stains (2 toddlers...) it has held up remarkably well to 4 years of abuse.

Any leather owners out there have any comments? Is is holding up? Would you get the leather again?

Finally, it looks like most of the options are still available for XLT. What would I be giving up that are Lariat-only touches? The keypad door I guess (though with keyless entry I'm not sure I see the point of it) and lighted vanity mirrors.

Finally, if I go with the XLT I sure get a whole lot more color choices. I live in Florida so I'm leery of the bright red (though that is the one my wife likes best) but silver and the island blue look nice. Also one more potential negative of leather -- summer is shorts weather, and sweaty legs on leather doesn't sound like the best of combinations. Still in all, there is something about leather....

Any and all thoughts most welcome.

 

The spec sheets (that you could get from Kelly Blue Book et al) back when they were shipping the so-called "gen I and II" trucks said that the leather was something called "Nudo", which was the same stuff used in the Navigator. I don't see this anymore so the Gen III units may have the same leather as used in the SuperCab trucks.

If this leather is of the "Nudo" variety or the "flaky" variety is beyond me. The earlier leather seems softer though....

My genII leather seems to be holding up well. The key (especially in sunny climates) is to keep the leather conditioned. In CA or FL I'd be hitting the seats with conditioner every 2-3 weeks in the summer and every 6 weeks in the winter. I used to have a '93 Probe GT with a leather interior (it seemed to be of like quality to the stuff in the old supercabs....the stuff in my SuperCrew is of better quality). I kept it regularly conditioned and it still looked great when my best friend bought the car off me in October. Every other similar car that I have seen had leather that was cracking due to lack of care. So take care of it and it should look great for years!

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2001 SuperCrew Lariat 4x4
Deep Wedgewood Blue/Graphite Captains chairs
5.4L, trailer tow, sunroof, bed extender

And a list of mods that will have me busy (and broke!) for months!

'92 Stealth RT/TT
Feelin' the need for more boost!

[This message has been edited by RPFB (edited 02-26-2001).]

 

I have leather simply because I have kids. Leather is much easier to keep clean. Also, the graphite leather in my Gen III looks/feels great to me!

 

Thumbs up for the leather! I had a '97 with leather and I condtioned it once a month. Keep it condtioned and they will wear very nice!

Also, if you have kids the leather is much easier to clean. My daughter had a pen blow up in her coat pocket. She sat in the back seat a few times until I noticed a big blue mark on the back of my seat. Yes, it was ink! Had they been cloth it would have been ruined. I took some leather cleaner to it and removed all traces of the pesky blue ink!

Whatever choice you make... it's a great truck!

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Supercrew 4x4 Lariat
Solid Black , 5.4 Triton, 3.55 Limited Slip, 6750# GVWR Package, Skid Plates, Moon Roof, Sliding Rear Window, Trailer Tow - Class III, Cargo Cage, Grey Leather Captains Chairs, 6-Disc CD Changer

Mods:
305/70/16 Goodyear ATS
American Racing Atlas 16x8
Chrome Westin Steps
Flowmaster, Delta Flow 50 SI/DO
Cranked Torsion Bars 1"
Mobil 1 @ 1,000 miles

Planned:
Toneau Cover
Expedition Console Mod.

Another great Ford truck site -www.fseries.com

Truck Pictures

 

I've had leather in my past few vehicles. With kids, it's easier to clean.....The key that kkirt1 made is to make sure you condition it every so often. Car interior is a pretty harsh environment. I keep mine cleaned/conditioned every other month or so.

I've got the GenIII leather seats and have no complaints. Feels smooth, soft and tough.

There's nothing like leather....

Good luck.

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Supercrew Lariat 4X2, Arizona Beige Metallic, 5.4L, Towing Package, 3.55 LSD, Moonroof, Captians Chairs, Premium Sound, Extender
Ordered 14 Dec 2000
Received 9 Feb 2001
Life is Good...
Modifications:
Line X bedliner

 

If nothing Else I bought mine for the absolutly intoxicating smell of a new truck with leather seats , it is awesome, also it does help on the resale of the truck , Yea(like you want to think of selling your brand new baby) get the leather you will not regreat it... BUT please remember to remove all screwdrivers and such from your back pockets before being seated!!! :-)
Skully 2001 lariat 4x4 Supercrew 1000 miles
dark grean with gold trim , leather interior power moonroof 6 cd changer ,bed extender

 

The leather is the way to go. Just try and make sure you hands and butt are clean before getting in! My leather has done nothing but get softer and more comfortable since it was new. The seats are more comfortable than my moms Lincoln Mark VIII.

Come to think of it, are you going with the captains, or the bench? If you opt for the captains, go leather. If you go with the bench, go cloth. My dads 99 S/C has a leather bench, and it is the most incomfortable thing to sit on.

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2001 SCrew Lariat
AZ Beige/DW Blue
5.4L, AirRaid Intake, K&N Filter, Ravin Z-33 Exhaust SI/DO, Power Moon Roof, Westin Stainless Nerf Bars, Vent Visors And Bug Deflector, Custom Tinted Windows, Upgraded Audio System, Custom Hitch-Haul Receiver System

Coming!!
HyperTech Power Programmer (when available)
PowerAid Spacer
Rims & Tires
Air Dam Replacement W/ Driving Lights

 

I'm new to the board but find it very interesting, I just bought a 01 150 crew, with leather!! I am just wondering what you guys are using to condition your seats?? Any sugjestions will be very helpfull!!

Mike

 

I've used Zymol to clean/condition the leather in my vehicles. There is one bottle of cleaner and another of conditioner. Should be able to find it at most car part stores or discount chains like Wal Mart. Last one I bought was around $20, used it for about a year until it runs out...

 

Leather all the way for me . I'm sick of cloth and it stains too easy. Of course with the lariat, leather is standard, but I also got the captians chairs (3rd gen)and love them! I love the console in between with the generous arm rest instead of the flip down style arm rest. Some people say the captians chairs are uncomfortable, but I find them VERY COMFY.I'm 6'1", 200lb and they fit me perfect. Used the bun warmers this morning and they are awesome too.

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Gen III, 2001 SuperCrew Lariat, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 limited slip, Black, Med Graphite Leather Captians Chairs with "BUN Warmers", Sliding Rear Window, Power Moonroof, Class III Trailer Tower Group, Skid Plates, Bed Extender, 6 Disc CD...
Ordered:1/11/01 Born:2/19/01 Delivered:3/1/2001