King Ranch Leather
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King Ranch Leather
So while I normally get excited when my wife takes an interest in things I enjoy, she happened to do some browsing when she found out I cancelled my F250 order on Friday and was reordering on Monday. That browsing lead her to a King Ranch which is actually a few dollars more than the Platinum I had priced out. She loves the leather and the two tone (White Platinum against the Caribou). I started researching the KR's as I had heard some issues in the past and what is unclear to me is whether the new seats are still genuine leather seats (I do not believe so) or are more leather strip based and whether they are treated like everything else (I had a Brunello Plat on order) or if I would be looking at additional care. This truck will be my daily driver for the next 6+ years so I am a little concerned about the seat longevity if it is a lower quality leather than what is offered on let's say the Platinum.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Weatherford Texas.
If they have the same saddle leather my f 150 had, yes it is a lot more care. They have to be cleaned and protected regularly like saddles. And can stain easily if spilled on. I got rid of the f150 because of the leather seats I hated them. Took way to much care.
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I really like the leather in my 2009 king ranch. I suggest going to a dealer and looking at it in person (same leather as the 2016 f150). To me and my wife, the brunello platinum leather looks way better than the pictures and the king ranch looks much worse. The dark slightly greenish brown leather with orange thread is very different from my reddish brown seats with brown thread. The orange KR logos are also very pronounced in the current model.
My KR leather isn't that hard to care for, just use the right conditioner. It will get a worn look, but some don't mind it. In 2009, it was the softest, nicest feeling leather to me. In 2017, I think the platinum leather feels better.
My KR leather isn't that hard to care for, just use the right conditioner. It will get a worn look, but some don't mind it. In 2009, it was the softest, nicest feeling leather to me. In 2017, I think the platinum leather feels better.
Cargo Master
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The older King Ranches had real saddle leather that people didn't care for properly (because it was a lot of work). They complained about how it looked so Ford changed the leather.
I like the look of the current KR leather just fine. The brunello red wine color does nothing for me. I would have gray cloth over it
I like the look of the current KR leather just fine. The brunello red wine color does nothing for me. I would have gray cloth over it
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I felt the same way until I saw it in person. In the pictures, it looks almost purple. In person, it is a nice brown with a slight red tint. Did you see it in person or just online?
BTW, the YouTube videos do the poorest job showing the true brunello color.
BTW, the YouTube videos do the poorest job showing the true brunello color.
Cargo Master
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If you have the older brownish rust KR and compare it to the new KR yes its a different color but looks good to me.
That's why Ford gives us several choices. As far as quality goes, you would assume the KR and Platinum are a better grade leather but might just be a different color.
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The older King Ranches had real saddle leather that people didn't care for properly (because it was a lot of work). They complained about how it looked so Ford changed the leather.
I like the look of the current KR leather just fine. The brunello red wine color does nothing for me. I would have gray cloth over it
I like the look of the current KR leather just fine. The brunello red wine color does nothing for me. I would have gray cloth over it
In person I will say that the Brunello is much more brown than red, I have been in one several times and the pictures on Ford's site are not representative of any of the trucks I have been in.
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Cargo Master
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Since a KR costs as much or more than a Platinum I assume it's the same leather. It's not as hard to take care of as the old KR saddle leather.
I keep Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner & Conditioner wipes in my truck and wipe the leather if I get something on it. I also have it in a spray bottle. Way easier to clean than the knitted cloth that my old XLT had. If I had any complaint it is that the holes in the seat (for heating/cooling) will get food in them and it's hard to get it out. I have learned not to eat anything crumbly like cookies or a candy bar while driving.
I keep Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner & Conditioner wipes in my truck and wipe the leather if I get something on it. I also have it in a spray bottle. Way easier to clean than the knitted cloth that my old XLT had. If I had any complaint it is that the holes in the seat (for heating/cooling) will get food in them and it's hard to get it out. I have learned not to eat anything crumbly like cookies or a candy bar while driving.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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On my 13 KR the dealership gave me some KR leather cleaner/conditioner. I used it up and went to Meguliars and used it until I sold the truck. I also use it on my Lariats. Maybe when KR was real saddle leather a different product may have worked better, but it it's real saddle leather then maybe you need to rub it down with neatsfoot oil
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I really liked the two-tone nature of the prior King Ranch interiors (I owned a 2013 KR). Now the King Ranch and Platinum interiors seem too monotone and boring (the similarly shaded skunk stripe down the middle of the Platinum seats does little to break it up). The Lariats have more character IMO.
But even more concerning than the monotone is that the entire interior of the 2017 King Ranch appears to be a, well, nasty brown. It appears that the carpet, dash, leather, roof, etc., etc. are, well, brown.
Has anyone actually been inside a 2017 King Ranch? Is it better than the pictures indicate?
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