Leather Covered Tranny Tunnel

[BrewCityCobra]

So one of the upgrades I was hoping to implement in my build was a leather covered tranny tunnel cover.

1) Is there a good build thread showing how it could be done?

2) For those who have already done it - were you able to match the leather of the seats or did you have to get both re-covered together?

I ask because I had ordered the vinyl seats but was starting to think that was a mistake and I should upgrade to the leather seats - but I only want to do so if I can match them - otherwise it seems like it would be a waste of money.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Brew

[Chris @ Forma]

Hey Brew,

We are in the process of doing a custom interior for a client. He has already applied real carbon fiber to his dash and tunnel cover. We are tasked with finishing the balance of the interior with leather. He has selected black and gray light pebble finished leather. Our challenge is the transition between the leather on the side of the tunnel and the carbon fiber on top. Additionally, he wanted a panel with a cubby in between the tunnel and the dash. I'm 3D printing the parts that I designed tonight and will upholster them in leather with a French seam and contrasting stitching I should have this done in a couple of weeks though I'm not sure when we will get the car back as he is having someone else paint it. Anyway, I hope to have this mocked up on Thursday to review with the client. I'll send you pictures if you PM me.

As for matching the leather, it shouldn't be too hard. I rarely use FFR seats and haven't actually seen any, though I'm pretty sure we have a set at our shop. We probably have a hide or two that match. I've got several hides ordered that I expect in at the end of the week and I'm pretty sure one of them is probably a pretty good match. PM me and I'll let you know.

[GoDadGo]

Brew,

I did a removable transmission top that I covered in the same Marine Grade Vinyl that I used for my dash and stereo/switch pod.
Though my seats are leather, this particular material matched the grain pretty well, but Leather Would Be Way, Way Better!

https://youtu.be/ELFJDOVKb4g

The tunnel top came from FFMetal.com

https://www.ffmetal.com/

Also, I cut the tunnel back so I could lay carpet over the tunnel by the stereo and it is held in with 6 Allen Head Screws.

Hope This Helps!

Steve

[rich grsc]

Leather covered tranny, wait till the Bat finds out. :rolleyes:

[Bill_VA]

Shameless plug: The FFmetal tunnel top is .060 thick (vs the .040 stock) for extra strength on top of the tunnel where you'll push off of to get in and out of the car. And, it doesn't have a hole - this allows you to use any transmission and shifter combination and cut your own hole to perfectly fit your setup. It's the same shape and dimensions as the FFR piece.

[edwardb]

I did a leather transmission tunnel cover on #8674. First discussed here https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18591-EdwardBs-Mk4-8674-20th-Anniversary-Build&p=243258&viewfull=1#post243258. Then scroll down to posts #330 and #339 where its mentioned again. This build had Factory Five leather seats, and a single leather hide from eBay on the dash, tunnel cover, and door cards. While not a perfect match, probably 95%. Not obvious they weren't exactly the same and didn't warrant recovering the seats. At least in my opinion.

[GTBradley]

Absolutely the easiest part of my build. I took the FF metal tunnel cover to a recommend local upholster, chose the leather, which matched the seats nicely, and the style of stitching and picked it up two weeks later. Expensive, but worth it I think. I did put sound mat on the underside and it makes it feel very solid and is, you could stand on it without damaging it.

[glastron351]

Leather covered tranny, wait till the Bat finds out. :rolleyes:
.....and so it begins ;)

[PACobra83]

If there is a Tandy leather store near you they often have a wide selection of hides plus tools to work the leather

[Papa]

I purchased a leather hide from an eBay seller (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Leather-Hide-Upholstery-Whole-Full-Cow-Hide-40-Square-Feet-Stunning/183270768574?hash=item2aabc9ffbe:g:blwAAOSwxu5ZJCu J) that is very nice quality and matched the seat grain very well. I had Herb make my door cards with it as well as a local upholstery shop cover my transmission tunnel cover. I used the heavier FFMetal cover (https://www.ffmetal.com/#ttt). I attached the cover to the car using 3M Dual Lock (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OXK1AK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), which works perfectly.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=95880&d=1540080964

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84714&d=1524445005

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84713&d=1524444900

[BrewCityCobra]

I did a leather transmission tunnel cover on #8674. First discussed here https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18591-EdwardBs-Mk4-8674-20th-Anniversary-Build&p=243258&viewfull=1#post243258. Then scroll down to posts #330 and #339 where its mentioned again. This build had Factory Five leather seats, and a single leather hide from eBay on the dash, tunnel cover, and door cards. While not a perfect match, probably 95%. Not obvious they weren't exactly the same and didn't warrant recovering the seats. At least in my opinion.

Thanks!

That sounds like the direction I may be heading!

[BrewCityCobra]

I purchased a leather hide from an eBay seller (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Leather-Hide-Upholstery-Whole-Full-Cow-Hide-40-Square-Feet-Stunning/183270768574?hash=item2aabc9ffbe:g:blwAAOSwxu5ZJCu J) that is very nice quality and matched the seat grain very well. I had Herb make my door cards with it as well as a local upholstery shop cover my transmission tunnel cover. I used the heavier FFMetal cover (https://www.ffmetal.com/#ttt). I attached the cover to the car using 3M Dual Lock (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OXK1AK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), which works perfectly.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=95880&d=1540080964

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84714&d=1524445005

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84713&d=1524444900

This is almost exactly what I was picturing. Seems like an upgrade to the leather seats is a must now. Appreciate the photos!

[Rdone585]

Come check mine out. Sorry, no pics of it being built. But I'll show you how I made it. The leather matches the dash. If interested send me a message with a phone # and we can figure out where to go from there.
135450

[Al_C]

I started out with a trans tunnel cover done in marine vinyl (as did GoDad). When I swapped out my dash (wood veneer) for leather, I covered the trans tunnel cover with leather from the same hide. I got my hide from Tandy Leather in Elgin - they have a 50% off sale every Black Friday. If you can wait until then it's a great value (and Elgin isn't that far from Milwaukee).

So the dash and trans tunnel match. The seats are leather, but you'd have to look very closely to see any difference. I used the original aluminum that came with the kit. The difference on mine was that I cut a new hole because of my mid-shift. I covered up the pre-cut oval with an oval that was also in the kit. The problem though was that the edges and rivets on the patch piece showed through the padding and vinyl. So on the leather upgrade, I smoothed out the edges with bondo before I applied the padding. In my case, I used 1/8" closed cell foam padding on both dash and trans tunnel cover.

[Walt]

I have ffr vinyl seats and ordered the same vinyl from them as thevseats and dash added another aluminum panel i made from scratch and covered the hump, still need to make a shifter boot from it .135451

[Rook]

Those tunnels look great!

Papa, did your upholsterer also make the leather shift boot?

[BrewCityCobra]

Come check mine out. Sorry, no pics of it being built. But I'll show you how I made it. The leather matches the dash. If interested send me a message with a phone # and we can figure out where to go from there.
135450

Excellent, appreciate the reach out- DM sent.

[Papa]

Those tunnels look great!

Papa, did your upholsterer also make the leather shift boot?

The leather shift boot is another eBay purchase. It's a boot for an Audi TT.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-TOP-GRAIN-REAL-LEATHER-MANUAL-SHIFT-BOOT-FITS-AUDI-TT-MK1-1998-2006/391958957620?fits=Model%3ATT%7CMake%3AAudi&hash=item5b42930e34:g:c04AAOSw-U1aVdad

[Rdone585]

I purchased m y boot from Redline (https://www.redlinegoods.com/FFRRoadsterMK4shiftboot.php). They will custom make your boot based on your selections for material, colors, style, and dimensions. The also have ebrake boots, steering wheel covers, and seat belt or harness pads you can have made to match.

[CFranks]

Replica parts makes a great shifter boot as well

[toadster]

I purchased a leather hide from an eBay seller (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Leather-Hide-Upholstery-Whole-Full-Cow-Hide-40-Square-Feet-Stunning/183270768574?hash=item2aabc9ffbe:g:blwAAOSwxu5ZJCu J) that is very nice quality and matched the seat grain very well. I had Herb make my door cards with it as well as a local upholstery shop cover my transmission tunnel cover. I used the heavier FFMetal cover (https://www.ffmetal.com/#ttt). I attached the cover to the car using 3M Dual Lock (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OXK1AK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), which works perfectly.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=95880&d=1540080964



I have to say that looks super clean! How tight is the fit with the 3M velcro tape? just an overlap before you get to carpet?

[Papa]

I used the 3M stuff along the top of the tunnel, nothing on the sides. That stuff is super strong...not going anywhere. The carpet is up to the top edge of the tunnel, but no insulation on the last inch or so up the sides. It's snug, but fits.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84729&d=1524445690

It only takes a couple of presses on the cover to lock it down. You don't need to lock the entire strip.

[RBachman]

This is almost exactly what I was picturing. Seems like an upgrade to the leather seats is a must now. Appreciate the photos!

Here's what I had done. I used a two-tone (black with blue holes) perforated vinyl material for the transmission tunnel cover and the center of my seats. The picture doesn't show the blue very well, but it's a darker blue than shows on my screen, and breaks up all the black nicely without a lot of over-bling.

I struggled between vinyl and leather. It wasn't a cost issue, but more-so an engineer (me) dwelling on details, functionality and longevity. With open cars the interior is subjected to more elements. Sun/UV, rain, cleaning all take a bigger toll on leather than vinyl, and modern automotive vinyls hold up better. Additionally, the perforations will provide some breathability and allows for forced airflow if I install seat cooler fans.


135497

[BradCraig]

Note that 520 Speedworks sells a cover that is a little bit wider to accommodate all the coverings\carpet\etc.

[BrewCityCobra]

Here's what I had done. I used a two-tone (black with blue holes) perforated vinyl material for the transmission tunnel cover and the center of my seats. The picture doesn't show the blue very well, but it's a darker blue than shows on my screen, and breaks up all the black nicely without a lot of over-bling.

I struggled between vinyl and leather. It wasn't a cost issue, but more-so an engineer (me) dwelling on details, functionality and longevity. With open cars the interior is subjected to more elements. Sun/UV, rain, cleaning all take a bigger toll on leather than vinyl, and modern automotive vinyls hold up better. Additionally, the perforations will provide some breathability and allows for forced airflow if I install seat cooler fans.


135497

I really like the look with the blue holes. Looks great!

You make a good point about longevity, I guess I didn't realize vinyl would last longer than leather. Definitely something to consider.

[Papa]

A lot of luxury auto manufacturers like Lexus, Mercedes, BMW are switching from leather to synthetic materials for those very reasons. I was a bit surprised when we were shopping for my wife's new car that the interior wasn't leather, but rather a synthetic. If you didn't know, you'd swear it was leather.

[BradCraig]

A lot of luxury auto manufacturers like Lexus, Mercedes, BMW are switching from leather to synthetic materials for those very reasons. I was a bit surprised when we were shopping for my wife's new car that the interior wasn't leather, but rather a synthetic. If you didn't know, you'd swear it was leather.

Right...I used a high quality Marine vinyl for console and Herbs door panels and it looks just like leather.

[RBachman]

A lot of luxury auto manufacturers like Lexus, Mercedes, BMW are switching from leather to synthetic materials for those very reasons. I was a bit surprised when we were shopping for my wife's new car that the interior wasn't leather, but rather a synthetic. If you didn't know, you'd swear it was leather.

DITTOS!!
I think it's called MBtext, and it's awesome. We have it in our ML550 and it's TOUGH! Doesn't scratch with the dogs toenails, cleans very easily, maintains it's color, doesn't stain, maintains it's shape and tightness, etc.. And you can't easily tell it from leather. It looks, feels, behaves like real leather, only much more durable. Now, here's something interesting. In the mid 80's a fellow USAF buddy purchased an old SL convertible (rag top version of the gull-wing I think.) It had the original vinyl/naugahyde seats (not MBtext) and they considered it an upgrade/superior product over the leather.

[egchewy79]

Just got my trans tunnel back from upholstery. I have matching door135518 cards as well

[RJD]

Just got my trans tunnel back from upholstery. I have matching door135518 cards as well

Wow! That is stunning. My wife thinks so too.

[JohnK]

DITTOS!!
I think it's called MBtext, and it's awesome. We have it in our ML550 and it's TOUGH! Doesn't scratch with the dogs toenails, cleans very easily, maintains it's color, doesn't stain, maintains it's shape and tightness, etc.. And you can't easily tell it from leather. It looks, feels, behaves like real leather, only much more durable. Now, here's something interesting. In the mid 80's a fellow USAF buddy purchased an old SL convertible (rag top version of the gull-wing I think.) It had the original vinyl/naugahyde seats (not MBtext) and they considered it an upgrade/superior product over the leather.

Yes, MB-Tex is definitely one of the nicer vinyl interior materials. We had it in one of my wife's previous cars and you really have to look closely to realize it's not leather. We had that car at the time both of our kids were still in car seats, and that back seat got barfed on and everything imaginable spilled on it, and it cleaned up like new every single time.

[Todd Baumann]

Here's what I did years ago in my coupe. Leather from JoAnn frabrics and drilled and nutcerted each stainless button head cap screws.
135560

[Mark K]

Marine vinyl from Joanne Fabric, sewn with orange outdoor string and batting (also from Joanne) using wife's standard sewing machine.

135568135569