Lariat interior difficult to maintain???
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Lariat interior difficult to maintain???
Hi all, I'm in a position to get a GREAT deal on a 2004 F-150, but I wanted an FX4 with cloth seats and a darker interior and the only truck that has everything I want (moonroof/audiophile/etc) is a Lariot. Can you help with some feedback? I've never had leather car seats before and I don't know how careful you have to be. Also, with the tan color scheme, do the floor mats and dash get dirty very easy? This truck is a dream (and the price is too), but I don't want to regret it in 6 months when the seats are ripped and the floor mats are always filthy. Thanks,
P.S. The only other thing I want is to change is to swap a 2005 audiophle stereo for a 2004 (for the mp3 capability). Is it a seamless/easy swap? Will I "lose" anything soundwise? Thanks
P.S. The only other thing I want is to change is to swap a 2005 audiophle stereo for a 2004 (for the mp3 capability). Is it a seamless/easy swap? Will I "lose" anything soundwise? Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: South Dakota
Leather seats last a long time with a little care. Use a good leather cleaner when they get real dirty otherwise a good leather care product that conditions is best. Don't have sharp objects in your pocket when sitting in any seat. Tan floor mats and carpet will get no dirtier than black but will show stains easier. Which will prompt you to keep them clean instead of just looking at black carpet and letting it go.
Wish I could have leather seats.
Wish I could have leather seats.
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I second what torino said. Invest about $70 in some Nifty Catchall Extreme (that's what I have) or some husky liner floormats and you will never have to worry about your carpet again. I've had my truck for over a year and have 30K miles on it and the carpet looks like it just came off the showroom floor.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Switzerland
Originally Posted by 68torino
Leather seats last a long time with a little care. Use a good leather cleaner when they get real dirty otherwise a good leather care product that conditions is best. Don't have sharp objects in your pocket when sitting in any seat. Tan floor mats and carpet will get no dirtier than black but will show stains easier.
With leather you just have to make sure that the leather doesn't get dry -- some good leather lotion (I use about 10 min twice a month cleaning a lotioning the seats).
Imagine the people watching the "crazy family with 4 dogs and a Lariat Screw in Switzerland..." -- I'm used to it now -- and rather be driving a Ford truck than a small minicar...
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Missouri
I always wanted cloth, but after my 03 Expy came with leather, I would not want cloth again. Have 3 kids and pet. It's easier to clean than the cloth.
My wifes car has cloth and it's a PITA to keep them clean.
Don't worry about the leather !
It's easier to wipe with a conditioner than having to vac up and spray and clean cloth.
My wifes car has cloth and it's a PITA to keep them clean.
Don't worry about the leather !
It's easier to wipe with a conditioner than having to vac up and spray and clean cloth.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chicago Area
I love my tan leather seats and would never switch back to cloth. I use Armor All Leather Wipes to clean the seats about every three weeks or so. I get pretty dirty at work so the seats do see alot of dirt from me. The wipes clean the seats right up, and it also conditions them so they prevent getting dirt soaked into the leather. I would advise not to use it on the steering wheel. I did this and it made driving pretty difficult (the wheel was very slippery). I also have the Nifty Catch-all Extreme floor mats and love these mats very much. I have never had a problem with these mats. Best of luck to you.
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Whiskerbisquit, where did you buy the extreme floor mats and how much? They sound worth having. thanks
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by mds062778
.......I've never had leather car seats before and I don't know how careful you have to be. Also, with the tan color scheme, do the floor mats and dash get dirty very easy? ....>>
The demo I drove had the light tan interior. The test ride was mid-day, with the sun shining. The sun-washed dashboard top glared so badly on the inside of the windshield, that visibility was greatly reduced. I had to go back and get my polarized sunglasses, which solved the problem. A darker dashboard (or dash cover) may be better.
About the seats: The leather trim may be just that! Trim. Most of my FX4 leather seats are vinyl, made to look like leather. I'm pretty sure the sides, backsides, center textured section, and entire rear compartment seats are vinyl. I believe only the 4" wide edge sections, that your body comes in contact with, are real leather. Maybe the Lariet has more leather. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.
Larry in SF, CA
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Originally Posted by bigsherm77
I second what torino said. Invest about $70 in some Nifty Catchall Extreme (that's what I have) or some husky liner floormats and you will never have to worry about your carpet again. I've had my truck for over a year and have 30K miles on it and the carpet looks like it just came off the showroom floor.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Jersey
I got the carpeted Niffy Catch Alls in my Lariat. I thik they fit better than the husky's. They sit in there nicely without using the screw downs that come with them. Makes it easy to take them out to dump them. I use a tan terry cloth towel on the center between the catch alls..
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The Extreme Catchalls by Nifty have a texture to them. I guess I call it marbled. I got them from www.premiermotoring.net Alot of the FX4 guys like the huskyliners becuase they have a diamond plate texture to them. I thought these looked better in the lariat. They make them for the back seats too (one large piece).
As far as the leather goes, cleaning has not been a problem at all. I use the Meguiers leather wipes. I did however have to get the driver side bottom cushion replaced (done by dealer under warrantee) because the leather was cracking from me sliding in and out of the truck. Now I am just more careful and I too am a leather fan for life.
The dashboard glare thing I have not noticed. I do however wear polarized sunglasses whenever it's sunny out so that may be why. What I like about it is that you never have to use and cleaner or dressing on the dash and I RARELY ever even have to wipe it down with a damp cloth. It always looks nice and clean, even when it's dusty. Hope this helps.
As far as the leather goes, cleaning has not been a problem at all. I use the Meguiers leather wipes. I did however have to get the driver side bottom cushion replaced (done by dealer under warrantee) because the leather was cracking from me sliding in and out of the truck. Now I am just more careful and I too am a leather fan for life.
The dashboard glare thing I have not noticed. I do however wear polarized sunglasses whenever it's sunny out so that may be why. What I like about it is that you never have to use and cleaner or dressing on the dash and I RARELY ever even have to wipe it down with a damp cloth. It always looks nice and clean, even when it's dusty. Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Originally Posted by Dunk
I got the carpeted Niffy Catch Alls in my Lariat. I thik they fit better than the husky's. They sit in there nicely without using the screw downs that come with them. Makes it easy to take them out to dump them. I use a tan terry cloth towel on the center between the catch alls..
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Jersey
No pics, but they are slightly darker than the trucks carpet.. This pic came from http://www.truckperformance.com/ where I bought them. It's real close to what they are..
Last edited by Dunk; Sep 28, 2004 at 11:30 PM.
Elder User
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From: South Jersey