has anyone redone their bench seat?

[edmccloughloch]

I want to redo my bench seat - I ordered new material from NPD. However, the seat foam is also shot....and I can't find anywhere specifically molded foam for the bench. Should I just go down to the fabric store and buy a big sheet of foam and cut it??? What have you all done with your seats?

[spartman]

I thought LMC carried new foam for these seats.
If not try dennis carpenter.

[dwpave]

i Just got seat covers from npd. My seats seem to be from a different year truck. I did the top part of the seat but it did not look as tight as i wanted. i think npd sells the top foam peice. good luck with your seat.

[mcarlson11]

I had mine done at an upholstery shop, it was only $220 and it looks very factory and he did a great job.

[ken's1971]

Need to get my seat done too, the spring is poking me in the butt

[shrektruck]

I had mine done at an upholstery trade school. I just paid for materials-about 85 bucks.

[edmccloughloch]

Well out of boredom I decided to take it apart myself last night. I kinda enjoyed it....so im going to just do it myself - going to get a sheet of high density foam and cut it out to fit, already have the seat cover. They sent me a pair of hog ring pliers too...so I think I'm all set. A tip the book said was to heat up the vinyl in the sun or with a hairdryer before installation so its more pliable...so the seat cover will be going out in the 100 degree heat.

[dcbullet]

Is it the foam or the springs that wear out on our seats? My bench where the driver sits isn't firm enough, it sinks down when I sit on it (only 185lbs )

I was wondering if it's the foam or springs?

[edmccloughloch]

Well, upon taking the seat apart, its a few things. First, the foam was completely shot - it had flattened out like a pancake. Second, two of the springs on the drivers side had come out of where they hook into the frame of the seat, which it why it was very bouncy. Also, the springs are linked to each other by what I think are hog rings - and it seems that in the higher wear places these have steched out, some are hanging off. In my opinion if these fastening rings were replaced, all the springs were hooked into the frame corrrectly, and the seat foam was replaced, the seat would be nice and firm again.

[dcbullet]

Well, upon taking the seat apart, its a few things. First, the foam was completely shot - it had flattened out like a pancake. Second, two of the springs on the drivers side had come out of where they hook into the frame of the seat, which it why it was very bouncy. Also, the springs are linked to each other by what I think are hog rings - and it seems that in the higher wear places these have steched out, some are hanging off. In my opinion if these fastening rings were replaced, all the springs were hooked into the frame corrrectly, and the seat foam was replaced, the seat would be nice and firm again.

Thanks neighbor! I'll have to put something else on the list.

[edmccloughloch]

Hey...walnut creek! that is close - have you heard of any good body shops in the area - I need to get my 69's paint and body work done. Already have a person lined up actually, but if you know of anyone let me know...

[dcbullet]

Hey...walnut creek! that is close - have you heard of any good body shops in the area - I need to get my 69's paint and body work done. Already have a person lined up actually, but if you know of anyone let me know...

Well I wrecked my daily driver a few months ago and Cooks Collision did a very good job. My guess is that they do mainly insurance work on high end vehicles though. That's the only experience I've got around here.

[edmccloughloch]

Cooks Collision---yep definitely only insurance work. They had better do a good job for what they charge your insurance for....and you know they are making a killing - what other body shop has that kind of a waiting room?? Haha. Anyways, good work...not for the out of pocket people though. Thank you anyways...

[edmccloughloch]

By the way I just finished the seat back - it looks sooo good! Ill be posting pictures tommorrow hopefully, but I have a few more hints for redoing the bench seat..

1. There is a liner that goes between the springs and the foam - what had hapened before was that the liner had deteriorated and the foam began to get between the springs...eventually getting cut up by whatever was behind the seat for 40 years. My advice - I used outdoor Canvas - very strong but still flexible and not too thick. It looks really nice from the back of the seat too.

2. Use a bit thicker foam than what gets taken out - The foam I put in was 2 inches thick - it looks about three times as big as what I took out.Now that everything is done, it seems to be just the right amount....but you have to be careful to not over stress the seams....two tricks took care of this
1. Heat up the vinyl you are streching to fit - it is way more easy to work with
2. When attaching the vinyl to the frame with the c-clips, attach clips evenly across the frame so stress is not put on one spot - before releasing the vinyl - its best to have a helper to strech the vinyl over the frame while you attach the clips.

3. The C-CLIPS that come with the seat cover(from npd) are not enough to do the entire seat and to attach the liner under the foam. I looked a few places to find more, but couldn't locate them. But, at Orchard Supply Hardware, they carry a product called pig rings. Its the same concept and tool that you need, but these are slightly bigger and much heavier. I like them a lot better than the clips i got with the seat. Also, the tool by the same manufacturer is way better than the crappy pliers I got... They are made by Seymour Manufacturing Co. and called Hill Pattern Pig Rings.


thats all I have....we should really get together a tutorial page for redoing the original seat...I know others have more hints and suggestions and different products to use....I think a lot of people think that it is too hard of a job and is better to send to an upholstery shop, but in my opinion it is really fun. Not easy by any means....but I have never reupholstered a thing in my life and I think my seat came out looking really nice.

[Joe Kriston]

Ed,does your new seat have a different type of insert,like a basket weave or something?....One thing I've noticed,even on a show condition Ranger,is that the insert seams and stitching lines never seem to line up between the bench and the seat back...