Need to Replace Driver's Seat Back Cushion and Fabric

[Boaring1961]

I bought a used 2005 about a year ago and when I bought it the driver's seat has two tears in the fabric and seat cushion that is against your back. Basically right behind my hip bones when I'm seated. I have seat covers on the seats, but I still don't like the idea that they're ripped.



Where can I order new cushions and the fabric cover for this seat? Also, is replacing them hard to do?



Thanks

 

[cerberusiam]

The factory system is crappy for maintaing structure and time will just kill it. Probably the easiest thing is find an upholstery shop that will recover it and replace the cushions. A good upholstery job will make a huge difference in how comfortable the seat is.

 

[Boaring1961]

Could an upholstery shop match the fabric of the other seats? I don't want to spend the cash to replace all the fabric.

 

[cerberusiam]

Should be able to or something so close it really doesn't matter. The shop that did mine matched it so close it is hard to tell. About the only difference is it is newer than the other material. Might depend on colors also, all you can do is look and ask.

 

[jhenderson]

The fabric and foam are available from Dodge. I just replaced the bottom foam on my truck. No special tools are needed. The fabric is held to the frame with flat metal clips that slip over the flat portions of the frame. The bottom foam cost me a little over $100. For the heck of it I priced the factory cloth cover. It was about $275.

 

[cerberusiam]

I has the whole seat done, bottom and back, with new foam and fabric for $500. Much better than the stock cushions ever were.

 

[mwilson]

I would try a salvage yard and look for a passenger seat. I THINK it would work just fine, only thing would be making a hole for the lumbar knob if so equipped. I just had the seats tore down in the '06 and I am pretty sure that the framework was the same.



Passenger seats are usually in good shape.



Just a thought...



Mike.

 

[cerberusiam]

Framework may be the same but a lot of passenger seats don't have the lumbar control. Seat back tilt and skirts are also on the wrong side and they are stiched into the cover. By this time even the passenger seats are starting to deteriorate. When you satrt seeing pieces of foam falling out both sides are done. I happened to run across a shop that is redoing all the local Fire Department seats and settint hem up with better foam. That might be har dto do anywhere else.

 

[mwilson]

Framework may be the same but a lot of passenger seats don't have the lumbar control. Seat back tilt and skirts are also on the wrong side and they are stiched into the cover. By this time even the passenger seats are starting to deteriorate. When you satrt seeing pieces of foam falling out both sides are done. I happened to run across a shop that is redoing all the local Fire Department seats and settint hem up with better foam. That might be har dto do anywhere else.

Just the foam itself and the cover was what I was suggesting. On my '06 you would only have to poke a small hole for the lumbar knob, the recline and skirt are on the bottom cushion. I am only talking about the seat back.



I have read his first post a couple times and I think the seat back was what needed some attention in his case.



Usually the cushion is what fails first.



If I were a skinny debutante instead of a hefty ex-truck driver maybe mine would last longer..... :-laf



Mike.

 

[WalterJ]

I made the MISTAKE of searching long & hard for REPLACEMENT seat cushions. Very SS @ $400 with shipping. I since went to a local 'custom' shop that also offers auto upholstery repair & they quoted $150 max. to repair the only panel that was worn. Because the drivers back cushion was so difficult to find, I bought 1yd of the replacement fabric for any future 'panel' repairs for $70. I would suggest the same.

 

[Boaring1961]

Yes, it's only the back panel and foam that needs replacing. I still can't figure out how the previous owner wore such huge holes through the fabric and took chunks out of the foam. Both are spots right behind your hips. It was almost like he was wearing a gun holster on both sides but instead of carrying guns he carried scissors with the points sticking up and back.

I'm tempted to buy the panel and foam myself and give it a shot. I am thinking of doing the bottom cushion too while I'm at it.

I wonder if Mopar Parts Online has the better prices?

 

[Jbremount]

I had pretty much the same problem with my driver's seat and had a local car upholstery shop fix it for about $120. The areas of bad foam was replaced, bottom and top. The shop had some fabric from a donor dodge truck that matched almost perfectly. Everything looks original. Anyway, I am happy that I don't have foam falling out of the seats every time I exit the vehicle.

Since the upholstery fix, I learned to take the seat material apart and added seat heater to both front seats. I really like the seat heater as they put warmth on my sore back. It's pretty easy to do. Adding the seat heaters is fast as my seats came apart easy. Planning and laying the wiring took more time for me.