The 2025 Toyota 4Runner SR5 and many other trim levels come equipped with comfortable factory cloth seats. While cloth feels nice, it stains easily, especially if your 4Runner is a daily driver or sees heavy use, like trips to the gym. Sweat, spilled coffee, and soft drinks can ruin the original upholstery quickly. Installing a quality set of seat covers, like the EKR covers, helps protect your investment and makes cleanup much simpler. This guide walks you through the complete, detailed process for installing these covers on both the front and rear seats of your vehicle.

Purchase

Click here to purchase.  

Getting Ready for Installation

Installing seat covers requires a good amount of pulling, pushing, and tugging. Doing this work in a cool climate will save you effort and sweat. The overall installation is straightforward, but it takes patience.

Understanding the EKR Kit Components

When you receive your EKR seat covers, you will find that all of the individual components are clearly labeled for placement. This labeling is key to making sure you use the correct piece for the correct seat section.

The kit also includes installation instructions and a small, handy pusher tool. This tool helps tuck material into tight spaces.

Important Safety Tip: Be careful when using the pusher tool. The tip is not sharp, but if you apply too much force, you can accidentally poke a hole through the seat cover material. Use the tool gently to bunch up and guide the fabric. Sometimes, reaching with your fingers is safer and more effective than forcing the tool.

Why You Need Seat Covers

If you use your 4Runner daily, stains are inevitable. Whether it is sweat after a workout, coffee spills, or stains left by children in the back, cloth seats attract and hold messes. Cleaning stains from factory cloth can be difficult. Seat covers offer a protective layer that is easy to wipe down and clean, saving your original seats from permanent damage.

Installing the Front Seat Covers

The front seat installation involves several detailed steps for both the bottom cushion and the seat back.

Preparing the Front Seat

Before starting, slide the front seat all the way forward. This gives you maximum access to the area underneath and behind the seat.

If you have aftermarket rear seat footwell lighting installed, you may need to temporarily remove this to make room.

Locate the small strap underneath the seat and remove it. This strap holds the bottom of the seat back in place. Taking it out allows you to lift the seat back slightly. Lifting the seat back makes it much easier to reach underneath and pull the seat cover straps through to the back side.

Covering the Headrests

The headrests are the easiest part to cover and are a great place to start.

1. Tilt the seat back forward so you can easily access and remove the headrest.
2. Take the headrest cover. The zippered area should face the back.
3. Insert the headrest inside the cover.
4. Gently tug the material into place.
5. Start zipping the cover closed. If you feel tension, pull the material slightly to ease the strain on the zipper.
6. Once zipped, the headrest cover is complete.

Installing the Front Bottom Cushion

Identify the cover labeled "first row, right bottom." You will need to unhook all three straps attached to this cover before beginning.

1. Position the Cover: Place the seat cover over the bottom cushion.

2. Tucking the Sides: Push the sides of the cover (the "wings") down and inside the plastic trim as much as possible. When using the pusher tool, bunch up the material first to reinforce it, then push. You are wrapping the cover around the seat structure.

3. Pulling Through: Reach through the middle area of the seat. Gently push the material through to the backside. Once you reach it from the other side, pull the cover through. Do not pull too tightly yet; save the final adjustments for the end.

4. Securing the Front: You will notice some bunching near the front of the seat. To relax this, pull down firmly on the front of the seat cover. This should smooth out the material.

5. Using Straps and Hooks: You will have several straps and one hook to manage.

   • Front Straps: There is a center strap and two outer straps (sometimes called "wings"). These need to be pushed through the center gap to the back. Look underneath the seat to find a secure point to wrap these straps around for tension. They often come with a small zip tie loop to make grabbing them easier from the back.
   • Side Hook: On the outer corner of the seat, there is a small hook. Look underneath the seat and find a point to clip this hook to, pulling the material all the way across the bottom for tension.
   • Manual Seat Bar: If your 4Runner has a manual seat adjustment bar, make sure the straps pass above this bar.

6. Buckling in the Back: Once the three main straps are routed to the back, weave them through the corresponding buckles. Pull these straps as tight as you can.

7. Final Tension: Reach under the seat again and pull forward on the straps to ensure they are taut.

8. Bottom Straps: Use the final straps (the ones you pulled through) to wrap around structural components beneath the seat. This pulls down on the cover, ensuring a tight fit.

9. Adjust and Conform: Use your hands to smooth and conform the cover to the shape of the seat.

Installing the Front Back Rest

The seat back cover is identified by the pocket (which faces the rear) and the airbag tag (which faces the outside).

1. Throw Over: Toss the cover over the seat back.

2. Airbag Flap: The cover is designed to accommodate the side airbag by leaving a flap of material near the outside edge. You will tuck this flap in later once the main cover is pulled down.

3. Use the Zipper: Open the zipper along the side to make it easier to pull the cover down over the seat.

4. Headrest Posts: Guide the cover around the headrest attachment points using the provided holes.

5. Pulling Down: Continue pulling the cover down the seat back. Zip up the side zipper once the two sides meet. Tuck in any excess zipper material at the end.

6. Tucking the Center: Like the bottom cushion, push the middle part of the material all the way through the seat gap to the back. It may help to fold the "wings" in and push them toward the center before pushing them through. Once through, pull them out toward the corners.

7. Securing the Back: You will need to strap the cover to the hooks beneath the seat. Use the tool to tuck in all the extra material so it hides behind the plastic trim.

   • The felt padding/plastic tabs from the factory seat need to be removed or temporarily moved.
   • The EKR cover includes a plastic piece or tab that tucks into the plastic trim on both sides.
   • There is also a small hook string attached to the cover. You can hook this to the same mounting points used for the factory felt pad for security.

8. Final Adjustments: Do a final tug and push to ensure the material is straight, especially around the airbag flap. Reinstall the headrest.

Covering the Armrest

The armrest cover is the final front component. It often has a little foam padding inside.

1. Identify Front vs. Rear: The rear of the armrest cover has a visible seam running along the back.
2. Slip Over: Slip the cover over the armrest.
3. Securing the Middle: The cover has an elastic band in the middle. Put the armrest in the "up" position, and pull the material down and back through the bottom of the armrest opening.
4. Wrapping the Front: Loop the front material all the way over the handle portion. Pull all edges around the side to minimize the visibility of the elastic band.

Installing the Rear Seat Covers

The rear seats typically use a 60/40 split configuration. You will need to install the back rest first, then the bottom cushion, following the universal instructions.

Preparing the Rear Seats

If you have aftermarket seat back protectors, remove these before starting. Note that the plastic panels around the seats scratch easily, so be mindful of anything you are wearing (like watches or bracelets) that might rub against them.

Rear Back Rest Installation (Single Seat Side)

Identify the correct cover; it should be labeled "second row back rest." For the single seat, this is usually the driver's side.

1. Open the Zipper: The cover has a zipper on the side. Open it a little to gain some slack.
2. Position: The flat side of the cover goes to the back.
3. Headrest Mounts: Locate the two small holes on top and tuck the cover around the headrest mounts.
4. Tether Mounts: The cover needs to account for the tether mounts (if you use them). If you use ISOFIX tethers at the bottom, you may choose to leave the plastic covers on the top tethers and simply cover them up, as they usually flap down and tuck in.
5. Zipping and Tucking: Pull the zipper down to lock it in place. Then, tuck the bottom of the cover material toward the back, similar to the front seats. There is often more room here than in the front seats. Use your tool to ensure the corners are tucked completely.
6. Velcro: The cover has Velcro strips. There will be a strip of cloth covering the Velcro to protect it during shipping. Put this protective cloth below the Velcro or cut it off. Hide the Velcro strip by tucking it into the seat gap.
7. Final Check: Ensure all slack is pulled out and the cover is smooth.

Rear Bottom Cushion Installation (Single Seat Side)

1. Straps: Undo the straps on the bottom cover. These straps must route around and under the seat.
2. Pull Through: Push the straps through to the backside. Push the remaining cover material through the gap.
3. ISOFIX: The cover includes a cutout flap for the ISOFIX anchors. You will need to push a little more material through the gap to ensure the ISOFIX cutout sits correctly.
4. Seat Tethers: Be careful of the handles or tethers used to hold the seat up; do not pull them too hard, as they can be plastic and break.
5. Securing the Back: Lift the seat up. The cover will buckle behind the seat. Pull the cover material from the back side to take out slack along the sides.
6. Connecting Straps:
   • The bungee cord on the sides should be looped together underneath the seat. Make sure they do not interfere with the latch attachment points.
   • The remaining straps must be routed to the front. Run them through the buckles (the same type used on the front seats). Due to the tight space, the buckles might be slightly turned to the side.
   • Tuck the extra strap slack around the seat structure. Ensure the straps are not routed too close to the seat latch mechanism.

Rear Back Rest Installation (Larger Seat Side)

This side is larger and typically has two zippers.

1. Seat Belt: This seat cover must route through the middle seat belt. This is why the cover can be flayed open completely on one side.
2. Positioning: Get the cover around the headrest posts first. Ensure the seat belt is on the correct side.
3. Zipping: Zip the back up. Pull the two sides of the zipper together as you zip to avoid straining the zipper and causing a misalignment. If the two main zippers meet in the middle, zipping the inner one first may relieve tension on the outer one.
4. Cup Holder Flap: This cover includes a specific feature for the fold-down cup holder/armrest. You must pull the flap open and tuck the material down. The zipper covers this when stored.
5. Velcro/Tucking: Just like the other side, expose the Velcro and tuck the material securely toward the back. Decide whether to tuck or cut the protective cloth strip covering the Velcro.

Rear Bottom Cushion Installation (Larger Seat Side)

1. Straps: Disconnect the three straps (one for the middle seat, two for the outer sections).

2. Middle Seat Belt: This cover has a small Velcro opening to go around the middle seat belt buckle.

3. Pulling Through: Pull the straps out first. Push the cover material through the gap. Ensure the little lip of the cover is secured over the front of the seat before pulling too much slack through the back.

4. Connecting Straps:

   • Connect the elastic bands (bungee) on the sides.
   • Route the remaining buckle straps to the back. Use the buckles to tighten them.
   • The middle strap is the hardest to access because there is little gap in the plastic. You may need to pass it through a small hole or gap to the side and let it slip back toward the center for attachment.
   • The outer strap access is usually easy to see.

5. Final Tension Check: Check the front of the seat. You should see the gap between the cushion and the back rest become very small as you pull the slack out. This ensures a taut, professional look.

6. ISOFIX Access: If you plan to use the ISOFIX points, the Velcro flap must be pulled out. When not in use, the cover tucks deep into the gap, hiding the attachment points.

Rear Headrests

The headrests are the final step. All covers are labeled.

1. Middle Headrest: The middle headrest is squishy, so you will need to shape the cover as you install it to ensure the final look is proper. Notice that the stands are offset; ensure the cover matches this offset.
2. Outer Headrests: These are labeled "rear side." They fit either passenger or driver side. When installing, notice the factory seam is toward the front, with more material on the back. The EKR cover follows this same factory pattern.
3. Zipper Best Practice: When zipping any headrest, help the zipper by pushing the material together with your hands. Do not force the zipper to pull the material closed, as this creates a strain and can cause a wavy seam.

Final Review and Conclusion

The EKR seat covers are a worthwhile upgrade for your 2025 Toyota 4Runner SR5, especially if you have factory cloth seats. Once the full installation is complete, you gain peace of mind knowing your original seats are protected from spills, sweat, and stains. The detailed fit of the covers makes the interior look clean and finished.

If you are a frequent gym-goer or simply use your vehicle heavily, these covers quickly pay for themselves by saving your factory seats from permanent damage. The time spent on the installation process results in long-lasting interior protection.

EKR offers many patterns and fabrics to suit your personal needs. If you want more videos and information on the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, look for resources provided by StickerFab.