Leather Installed / Naked Seats reveal nothing

HotRodSaint · Oct 26, 2007

I had leather installed this week. I special ordered the kit from an overseas manufacturer.

The first kit they sent me (after I assured them that it was the same) was for the European version. It was pretty close. But one of the center backrest covers had a slot for a release pull to pass through. I assume this is to release the jump seat backrest after it is locked in place. And the 3rd row headrests are about 3" longer. Also it didn't have center armrests.

While the cloth was removed, I looked at the seats to see if we could retrofit a front passenger armrest and outside center armrests. Not doable without some custom fabrication. There are brackets welded into place where the armrests attach, but only where there are armrests. There are no hidden brackets. Same goes for the fold down tray table.

I still have to install the doors and shift boot tomorrow. I took them to a custom upholstery shop to 'improve' their appearance.

Then I will reveal her secrets here, before everyone else in the world sees it! (sssh)

HotRodSaint · Oct 26, 2007

HotRodSaint said:
Then I will reveal her secrets here, before everyone else in the world sees it! (sssh)

Until then, here's a little teaser!

SMR_BB6 · Oct 27, 2007

that's mz3 steering wheel? or u change the led?

coolmazda5 · Oct 27, 2007

HotRodSaint said:
And the 3rd row headrests are about 3" longer.

Added to the useless list of auto market differences (eek2). I'm guessing it is due to some weirdo safety regulation from Euro NCAP or any other transport safety type agency where you bought it.

Did you choose black leather? (naughty)

HotRodSaint · Oct 27, 2007

SMR_BB6 said:
that's mz3 steering wheel?

coolmazda5 said:
Did you choose black leather? (naughty)

Your both getting warm.

HotRodSaint · Oct 27, 2007

Ok, here's some quick pictures of my new leather interior, complete with a Mazdapseed3 steering wheel.

bazooka joe · Oct 27, 2007

wow! that is hot! nice work...

coolmazda5 · Oct 27, 2007

HotRodSaint said:
Ok, here's some quick pictures of my new leather interior, complete with a Mazdapseed3 steering wheel.

Your Mazda5 has just topped the list of my favs with that interior and RX-8 wheels. The whole leather work looks very clean.

slvrsleeper · Oct 27, 2007

(humpleg)That looks great! I especially like the upper door panels with the red stitching, something that is usually not my cup of tea but you pulled it off nicely! I think yours looks acres better than the OEM leather (no offense to you NA GT owners) Keep up the good work Saint.

kyoshiro · Oct 28, 2007

time to tell us how its done

PINODY · Oct 28, 2007

Nice work, that looks a little sharper than what Nissan did with the Rouge ... http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/287123

maple_leaf · Oct 28, 2007

Holy freakin nice dude!!!(rockon) You definitely have the nicest 5 on the forums.

starlightmica · Oct 28, 2007

Very nice! Now you have to get all the dash and console lighting swapped over to red LED's, and perhaps some in the footwells for nighttime ambience.

2cam16 · Oct 28, 2007

SWEET! Looks great and sporty !!
Now to swap the Speed3 motor in it.

HotRodSaint · Oct 29, 2007

kyoshiro said:
time to tell us how its done

You start by opening your wallet.That's really the hardest part!

Then they remove all the seats and door panels. This is a good time to upgrade your speakers, especially the rears since having the 3rd row removed makes taking that panel off much easier. So I installed 4 Kenwood KFC-C6880ie.

Then they strip the cloth from the seats. This is when I checked the frames under the foam for hidden brackets. None there.

Then they install the leather covers the same way the cloth was attached, and reinstall your seats.

It's much easier to install the rear doors before they put the seats in. I learned this the hard way.

HotRodSaint · Oct 29, 2007

Thanks for all the compliments. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

HotRodSaint · Oct 29, 2007

2cam16 said:
SWEET! Looks great and sporty !!
Now to swap the Speed3 motor in it.

Maybe after the warranty expires.

HotRodSaint · Oct 29, 2007

starlightmica said:
Very nice! Now you have to get all the dash and console lighting swapped over to red LED's, and perhaps some in the footwells for nighttime ambience.

I was trying to change a button from the MZSPD3 cruise control to the MZ5 switch, and use the MZ5 switch instead. I wasn't even thinking about the LED color, I was worried about the darker silver spoke color.

But I busted a clip taking apart the MZ5 switch and was forced to use the MZSPD3. That's when I realized that they were red and not green.

But I like it like this. The red doesn't really stand out as being odd, since it's on the steering wheel and not the dash. And it turns out the darker color of the MZSPD3 spokes matches the ring around the speedo.

5phreak · Oct 29, 2007

looking great. was the upgrade to the Kenwood KFC-C6880ie speakers worthwhile?

HotRodSaint · Nov 1, 2007

5phreak said:
was the upgrade to the Kenwood KFC-C6880ie speakers worthwhile?

It filled in the bass and added some more highs. I like it, although I want more power now.

Leather Installed / Naked Seats reveal nothing

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