Dash Designs seat covers?

[DonnaJaneMontero]

Hey all,
Has anyone ever ordered the supposed custom seat covers through RockAuto? Says the brand is Dash Designs.
I went to the DD website and it all looks legit, but would like to see if anyone's tried them. Cost seems similar to CoverKing (I'm looking for neoprene), but CK doesn't have the pattern for a Montero, and based on a thread found here, it appears no one loaned their Monty to them in Anaheim so they could get a pattern. I'm not even sure if cost would stay similar from CK; I used my Tahoe seats to get an idea for 2 bucket covers from them.

This is for a Gen 2.5 with the power driver's seat

For reference:

Dash Designs

FITS: 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SEAT DESIGNS SEAT COVERS 1ST ROW BUCKETS

FITS: 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO

www.dashdesigns.com

CoverKing

CR-Grade Neoprene Custom Seat Covers

Custom tailored fit for your car, truck, or SUV. Water resistant, genuine wetsuit material with extra neoprene layer with a 2 year repair/replace warranty.

www.coverking.com

Or does anyone have suggestions on custom-fit seat covers that aren't crazy expensive besides these?

 

[nwoods]

The Cabellas seat covers are excellent, but a light canvas rather than neoprene. They are easy to clean, and quite comfortable in the desert. Here are some photos of my 2.5 with these on. I think they were under $50. Excellent value. Link: https://nwoods.smugmug.com/Vehicles/Montero/mods/Seat-Covers/

 

[Herksute]

The Cabellas seat covers are excellent, but a light canvas rather than neoprene. They are easy to clean, and quite comfortable in the desert. Here are some photos of my 2.5 with these on. I think they were under $50. Excellent value. Link: https://nwoods.smugmug.com/Vehicles/Montero/mods/Seat-Covers/

Cabellas are well made and great value, I have owned almost a dozen sets now ( buckets and bench ) they have great adjustments, yes not neoprene but they are not hot in summer or cold in winter. Pretty neutral. I put these in all my Land Rovers, Disco I and Disco II, my Fzj80, gen 2 Monty, 2nd gen Trooper, Honda Element, Jeep Commander, and soon my Gen 3 Monty. Even the bench seat ( 2nd Row had fit well. They have plenty of (slits) on various places to allow for seat adjustment handles, seat belts etc.
I have even had to "modify" tyem slightly, and the material once cut doesn't seem to weaken much.

 

[DonnaJaneMontero]

I saw those in my search through the forum, and will definitely pick up a set if I can't find a custom fit pair. They do look great! But I can spare enough for the $180 to $250 range so I'd like to find something more tailored, if I can.

 

[snakeyjake]

I saw those in my search through the forum, and will definitely pick up a set if I can't find a custom fit pair. They do look great! But I can spare enough for the $180 to $250 range so I'd like to find something more tailored, if I can.

After doing some research online I ordered a custom set of Escape Gear seat covers in their original canvas. If you search them on youtube and instagram you'll get plenty of info. They have a great reputation in the overlanding community. They are a South African company. Starting to get a nice following online. Mine are being custom made as they had me take photos and measurements because there are some subtle differences between our Gen. 2.5 Montero's and the Parejo's down under. Looks like right now they are offering 10% if you look them up on instagram. Mine were about $400 and they are being manufactured as we speak. I'll report back when I receive them.

 

[Herksute]

I had a set of Escape Gear covers in the 1995 Disco I when I bought it, they are nice. Mine were already broken in ?

 

[montero.life]

Hi Guys,

If anyone is interested, I just replaced the seat covers on my 1999 Montero and plan to put the old ones up on ebay soon. They are used and have a few tears and stains here and there but are still in much better shape than my original seats.

They are not real leather but leatherette. The 4th picture shows a color comparison with original seats. Overall they fit pretty good (not perfect). As you can see in the last picture the passenger side third row seat fits a little short.

I hope to package them up by the weekend to get an idea of how much shipping would cost. As soon as I place the ad I will let you know.

Best!

 

[DonnaJaneMontero]

Hi Guys,

If anyone is interested, I just replaced the seat covers on my 1999 Montero and plan to put the old ones up on ebay soon. They are used and have a few tears and stains here and there but are still in much better shape than my original seats.

They are not real leather but leatherette. The 4th picture shows a color comparison with original seats. Overall they fit pretty good (not perfect). As you can see in the last picture the passenger side third row seat fits a little short.

I hope to package them up by the weekend to get an idea of how much shipping would cost. As soon as I place the ad I will let you know.

Best!

Are those headrests still the donut style but with a solid cover over them?

 

[DonnaJaneMontero]

After doing some research online I ordered a custom set of Escape Gear seat covers in their original canvas. If you search them on youtube and instagram you'll get plenty of info. They have a great reputation in the overlanding community. They are a South African company. Starting to get a nice following online. Mine are being custom made as they had me take photos and measurements because there are some subtle differences between our Gen. 2.5 Montero's and the Parejo's down under. Looks like right now they are offering 10% if you look them up on instagram. Mine were about $400 and they are being manufactured as we speak. I'll report back when I receive them.

Is that cost for just the front, or front and second row? Are they keeping the pattern for other US-sold 2.5s?

 

[snakeyjake]

Cost includes second row. I was originally only going to do the front's but decide to go all in. They are supposed to be incredibly durable. They will have my specs and photos on hand. . As you can imagine they don't get many ordered from the US for older Montero's. In the states they sell quite a few for Land Cruisers.

 

[montero.life]

Are those headrests still the donut style but with a solid cover over them?

Yes they are still the donut style underneath.

 

[DonnaJaneMontero]

Update- Pulled the trigger on the Dash Designs covers. 2-tone black n light grey neoprene. Ordered directly through DD, not RockAuto.
Verdict- ....not completely worth the money so far. The only redeeming factor will be how they stand up to use.
They do look good, feel good, sit tight and don't really slide around. Install was a ********** because you have to close all the S hooks onto the straps with pliers. I came away with a tiny sliver of a fingertip missing from a particularly bad slip of the pliers, and got blood on my nice new cover, but at least it's in a hidden spot. Headrest covers also don't fit right- I may reach out to DD and see if they can fix that at all. For the money, they should.
Also, no armrest covers, nor holes/slits for the armrests.

Overall, from pictures y'all have shared, I'd stick with the Cabella's covers, or Escape Gear, if that's an option.
I was dead set on neoprene for the feel but didn't really get what I was expecting. I'm.. satisfied, but not thrilled. But I may have also set the bar high as I've never seen any custom covers for the Montys and was just excited

 

[Salonika]

Doesn’t look terrible. How bad were the seats?

 

[Inyo_man]

I've thrown the Cabellas in both of my kid's rigs (Toyota p/u, Geo Tracker).
They are an excellent value imo.
(I'm not a big fan of neoprene covers...if I'm wrapped in rubber, I'd rather be surfing!)
Cheers

 

[DonnaJaneMontero]

Doesn’t look terrible. How bad were the seats?

Not the worst out there, but not great. I was anxious to get them covered to try to keep them from getting too much worse.