Are Leather seats w/o moonroof possible with a new 3rd Gen

Hello. I’ve been searching the forums before trying to order a new 2023 Tacoma, and haven’t been able to find an exact confirmation to what I fear is true …

A moonroof comes in as part of one of the upgrade packages—and the same one that gives factory heated/leather seats—, so there’s no way I can upgrade to a higher model, like a TRD Pro, without a moonroof?

[I ask because I am 6’6” and the moonroof is out of the question.]

Thanks.

 

I believe this is correct.

There are some aftermarket leather seat covers that some people say are better than the OEM. You might consider this as an option.

 

Thanks @woodsy, I’m considering that as a last resort! My last SR5 just gave its life for mine in a head on collision, and I never cared for the cloth seats, so had been researching the aftermarket covers.

 

I wasn't aware of the brand my dealer used, but I ended up with katzkin black leather and I absolutely love them.

 

Thanks @HBtaco, those are the ones I was considering!

 

Had the same dilemma and went w/o a premium package.

OEM leather is okay for a few years. Don't confuse it with Lexus or other premium car leather. It will eventually start wearing out and the pattern - the squares - will begin to fade. Typically, I'd pay a premium for leather but not on a Taco.

If you don't like the stock seat color/fabric, you have a few choices.

Go with aftermarket leather. Search for Clazzio or Katzkins on these forums. If you go that route, don't install it yourself. Go with a pro installer and ask your dealership if they can install them for you. There is a dealer in North Carolina that offers custom leather install as an add-on.

Get seat covers. I went this route with Rough Country. You can install these yourself but take time. Take the front seats out and do a proper install so you don't drag fasteners across visible plastic pieces.

Get aftermarket seats like https://scheel-mann.com/. This is a complex install if you want to install a custom passenger seat. You'll have to get custom seat brackets and figure out how to use or fool the pressure sensors that turn off the pass side air bag.

 

I went with the cheap PVC clazzios for a different reason - I go camping with three dogs and I was tired of shampooing and vacuuming the interior after every weekend. I just wanted a hair and dirt control cover.

Surprisingly enough they hold up great. Nobody can tell that they are covers. I went through other cheap brands of "custom fit" covers, and not only was it easy to tell, but they didn't even do a great job at covering.

I had the seats professionally cleaned before installing the clazzios. Every once in a blue moon I pull a cover when I'm working on other things, and the seats still look brand new underneath.

The clazzios are a top-notch option if you want to DIY it. I knew that relocating dash buttons to make room for heat controls was something that no installer would put up with so I DIY'ed it. (Installers go the fastest route unless pay the hourly rate for the not-fastest route, and the fastest route on heated seat switches is to make new holes in the console. I wasn't willing to go that way.)

The katzkins are a great option for full leather reupholster, and those are probably best left to an installer. Some people on here have DIY'ed the katz, but it's involved.

I would personally choose either the clazzios or the Katz over factory leather any day of the week. Side by side by side, the Katz looks and feels the best, hands down, and the Clazzios look and feel better than factory. My 2 cents. Go aftermarket.

 

Thanks @jeezumcrow, good points and very helpful. If I know myself I would probably attempt the install myself LOL… I really appreciate the info!

Thanks @Rock Lobster, good points also and very helpful. Like I said above, I know myself as generally being a DIYer, even if it costs me frustration and just as much in the end LOL… I really appreciate the info! Your seats look really great btw!


I guess my added consideration is what else I won’t get if I can’t get the package the package that includes the moonroof. This time around I swore I’d go all in and go with a Limited, or more likely, a TRD Pro. But, with both those options only coming with leather, they’re out of the running, because I can’t do the moonroof!

 

If you want a full leather kit the other option besides Katzskin would be leatherseats.com. I replaced the Nappa leather in my 2011 Chrysler 300 with a different color, just for a change. I opted for the premium, full leather (no vinyl, even on the backs and sides) and I'm very happy with it.

 

Leather adds a moonroof with all trim levels of the Tacoma. You want leather without moonroof, get an Offroad or Sport with cement/black cloth interior and get aftermarket leather covers. OEM Leather seats aren't as comfortable as the cloth seats IMO.

 

I went with katzkins and did the install myself will I had a friend that helped but took most of a day the headrests were the most difficult part. I used prp for my Console cover. Prp makes a pretty good vinyl seat cover

 

Thanks for the feedback @TACO-TY, good to know about the comfort aspect too, as I drive a lot. I’m a little upset that the packaging scheme prevents me from getting a TRD Pro, but I’ll get over it…

Thank you @dklehman, I’ll check out pro… glad your DIY went well, your seats look great. I had been using some neoprene covers I got as Costco that looked pretty good and were super practical and washable with work
Concerns… This time I have my heart set on leather again though.


I checked out some nice Sports the other day, and ultimately spoke to my dealer about (trying) to order an Off-road model with a manual transmission—hoping I don’t regret the latter!. I just have to pick some colors now! I want to do the install myself, the only thing that may dissuade me is I also want to go with heaters (yes I’m in Florida but it feels so good when the back acts up!).

 

Same here. Way better than oem leather

I didn’t want a moonroof. So I had the dealer add leather and heated seats.

 

You in FL and you want leather??!

 

Absolutely! I ceramic tint all my vehicles and with air-conditioning I’ve never had a problem!

 

some good lookin' seats! I didn't think about heated seats when I got mine...but I live in TX and it's garaged.

 

Yeah man I actually hate heat blowing on me so I like the heated seats when it gets cold.

 

Thats partially why I purposely got a 2018 pro so I had the leather without the sunroof for the extra headroom.

 

@6MTPro, thanks… Yes that was my thinking, I was going to go with a pro for a bunch of reasons, but the dealer is telling me that they all come with the leather package and therefore with a sunroof.

Can anyone confirm that with the 2023 Pro’s you can no longer get a configuration without a sunroof? What model year did they stop that?

I was seriously considering trying to rework the bracket—there is plenty of room below—but I would be fearful of safety concerns. It’s sad how little headroom the Tacoma‘s give a tall person. The other big problem in my opinion is that the location of the sunroof is too far forward—so the top of ones head actually hits right behind the sunroof when I the seat is adjusted back all the way.

 

Can anyone confirm that with the 2023 Pro’s you can no longer get a configuration without a sunroof? What model year did they stop that?

Your only chance is to broaden your search. It is possible - although probably unlikely- you can find that configuration from a different regional distributor.

Does Toyota.com let you build it?
Did you try calling Toyota?