I have been thinking of buying the leather door arm rests covers and center leather console cover to go with my 2006 Pkg. 7 with leather seats. Has anyone ever bought and installed these? How hard is it to install the armrests? Do they look good? Appreciate any help on this. I am not mechanical and don't want to mess up my car that I have only had for 4 days. I love all the information this forum provides. Thanks
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prelector @ May 26 2006, 06:58 AM) [snapback]261281[/snapback]</div> I have both the door arm rests covers and center leather console cover, they are easy to install and look great.
I've got the center console cover and the door arm rest covers. I love the center console cover. I'm not too crazy about the door armrest ones. The center console cover was trivial to install. The door armrest covers take a lot more effort and I don't like how they look.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(riscky @ May 26 2006, 12:23 PM) [snapback]261339[/snapback]</div> www.priushoods.com
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ May 26 2006, 12:31 PM) [snapback]261345[/snapback]</div> I've also gotten the 'hood' for the MFD from Priushoods, and it really really helps on sunny days. And I can attest to the quality of the leather items like the console cover. If you have any questions about any of the merchandise in the Priushoods eBay store, Robin, the owner, is very prompt in responding to questions as well as to filling the orders.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ May 26 2006, 11:08 AM) [snapback]261335[/snapback]</div> Hi Marlin, Thanks for the quick response. What specifically don't you like about the arm rests and could you be a little more specific on how difficult it will be to install them. I am 62 and not that mechanical so I just need to know if I can tackle something like this. I know it is difficult to answer, but I trust this forum more than I do just reading how "easy it is to install". Understand Seatle is a beautiful area to live in. I live in Pensacola, Fl.
It is difficult because you have to use a creditcard to force the leather between the cracks. The corners are impossible to do but just enough to look ok. I wasn't happy with the buldging (due to velcro) look so I redid mine. I ripped off the door panels to get to the handles. There are six areas where the plastics were glued with a heat gun. I suggest removing only bottom three (or top three) because, to put them back together, you'll have to use crazy glue! I think it was worth my effort because it looks OEM. BTW, I used the leather purchased from Prius Hood. I just cut the velcro that was glued to the leather. Rear door arm rest: Front Driver arm rest: Front Driver arm rest side view: Front Passenger panel off: Front Passenger panel inside view. Eight highlighted (orange/red) areas are the plastic buttons that snap into holes in the door. The yellow highlighted one at the right most is what is holding the top and lower sections together. When you pull the panel off, be very careful not to rip that off. Front Passenger door handle inside view. Red highlights are just the top 3 places where glued with melted plastic. I did not want leather seats, just the arm rests (because the fabric was just horrible). I think I had enough fun and the results were beautiful. Dennis
Hi There, I also got a pkg 7 with leather seats. These were installed at the port of entry by SE Toyota ( I'm in Florida too) I really thought the leather looked great, but the fabric on the console and doors, although nice, looked odd with the leather. My salesman agreed and he ordered leather for console and doors. It arrived in 2 days They did not charge me anything additional and did install for free ,also. They needed the car for a few hours. It looks much better now. Talk to your dealer.
Dennis, thanks for the pics and the info. I've also got the pkg 7 with leather. I was interested in doing this, but after your report, I think I'll talk to my dealer, like Jennjay suggested! Your's looks really good, but I don't want to have to take my car apart. I haven't even had it a month yet
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarieH @ May 27 2006, 01:54 AM) [snapback]261675[/snapback]</div> You are welcome. I had my Prius for a little over two months now. I took the panel apart again just to take pics for brave souls out there. Before I did it, I searched the forum and didn't find any.... just some clues for it in Audio and Electronic section. I hope this becomes handy to others. B) Dennis
Dennis - Well done! The "look" of the arm rests is what put me off of them initially. In your other thread, you mention that you also did something more custom to the center arm rest (the console lid). Can you expand on that a wee bit? I'm never thrilled with Velcro (no matter how well I clean, the adhesive part never stays stuck). I was thinking of taking the top apart and trying to tuck in the leather as you've done on the doors. Would like to hear any of your tricks since you seem to have this down to a science. Ah... reading more maybe you were only talking about the door arm rests? Did you use the velcro on the center still?
