2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Replacement seat cushion - sit down for this one

[Tinman]

The driver's seat on the 01 is getting a little worn. So the other day I inquired at the dealer for a replacement seat cushion only. List for $1200 . You gotta be kidding. I just looked on Mopar Parts America and sure'nuf, same price. Is there any reasonable replacement available? Or should I just re-stuff the cushions with 20 dollar bills and save $$$?

 

[SRath]

They say the dollar is pretty soft right now...

 

[Mishkaya]

I didn't even think you could get a replacement cushion any more. I took some furniture seat foam and carved it out to match the original seat foam, then stuffed it back in the truck. Time will tell how long it will last, but it is much more comfortable than the original setup (at least to me).

#ad


While it doesn't look pretty all naked, once stuffed back into the cover it looks just fine.

 

[WilsonF]

Check out this link it made my seat feel like new.

3rd Generation Dodge Front Seat Thin Padding Fix

Floyd

 

[georgej]

I just had an upholstery shop restuff my bottom cushion and patch a small hole in the leather for $90. Remove four bolts and the seat lifts out of the frame (have something to sit on if it's going to take a couple of days).

 

[budnate]

there are no second gen seats left in the country at a dealer, others have checked and I even had it done again search came back zero.





you can re-pad your cushion but you want to do it from the top to fix the left leg lumbar that sags in second gen trucks, its really easy I rebuilt my seats this last summer some 1" thick hi density foam is the trick and 3M spray glue, also you will most likely find the wires supporting the foam to be broken, I found that using the commercial 1/2 wide ductwork zip ties was a fast way to replace the broken wires and you can tension them just right.



also the trick of switching seat bottoms from driver to pass sides is a slick deal to get back on some low mile foam and the old driver seat cushion will get pushed back into shape if its not to bad by the center console.



peace, B.

 

[AMink]

I found on my 06 that there is no reason to remove the seat to get to the foam. The cloth (don't know about leather, but I guess it is similar) is just clipped to the frame underneath the seat.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-seats-o-how-i-hate-yeee-but-not-anymore.html



What I did starts on post 35. It is better than what it was, but I might go back in and do some more adjustment. I think the bigger problem is in my back, not the seat. :{

 

[SRath]

This is amazing! I have my '96 seats out right this minute trying to fix them (the cable release and tracks have always been broken on the passenger side and the brackets are terribly rusty).



My seats also lack enough padding. Looking at the underside, I saw how the wires were cutting into my otherwise perfect foam. Dumb design, but I have had experience with recliners that were the same way. I was going to slip a piece of 1" foam and then heavy canvas in between them and the factory foam, but I like the carpet idea better. I always hoped I packratted those carpet remnants for reason!



Good link, WilsonF!

 

[Tinman]

there are no second gen seats left in the country at a dealer, others have checked and I even had it done again search came back zero.

Well I guess it doesn't matter what they cost then.





[/QUOTE]also the trick of switching seat bottoms from driver to pass sides is a slick deal to get back on some low mile foam and the old driver seat cushion will get pushed back into shape if its not to bad by the center console.

[/QUOTE]



That may the ticket. That'll be about 20yrs of service.

 

[SSolderitch]

My seat foam was replaced by previous owner and is nice and firm. I guess age + milage just ware them out...

 

[SRath]

Low-bidder foam.

 

[BK]

I had a local car upholstery shop redo the foam in my 95 GC that fell apart.
It was about 200 bux in total. I dropped the seat off at his place.
We selected the foam for the side bolsters and bottom for my weight... had it for about 7 years and it never gave way or fell apart, was 10x better than the stock crap.
Then the GC got was totaled this fall.

 

[Tinman]

Sad thing is I only weight about 145lbs. The outside edge of the cover also has a small tear developing.

 

[WestTN]

The reason for that price is that they never offered individual parts for the seat. You had to buy the entire front seat assembly!

 

[HHhuntitall]

Hmm, I've had several seats redone at a competent upholstery shop in Decatur, Tx. Matney's upholstery. He's really talented. He completely redid the seats in one my '95s with cloth, and it cost me $450 for both seats. He redid the foam in the driver seat, too. He told me the materials were the most expensive parts, and he said he won't use poor quality materials because in the long run it reflects badly on him. I realized right there that this was my guy... ... . He redid those seats and it's been several years of ranch work, getting in and out for fence, gates, feeding, hunting, etc, and they've held up well. The truck also has a 6" lift with 38" boggers on it, so I know even my butt drags getting into the seats! And my butt ain't little!! He's also recovered the seats in several of my tractors, and on one he didn't do a very good job, so he wouldn't charge me. I at least insisted on paying for the material, but the seat has held up great! Close to 1,000 hours on that first one, and no signs of any real wear. Good material is the key!!

 

[BK]

My GC set was a mess when I bought it used.
Rotted, looked like a squirel was nawing at the bottom, turns out that the wire mesh/springs were acting like a cheese grater, and cutting into the foam, and making a mess on the floor of the GC.

I weighed in at about 300 or soo...
I drove it for about 7 years or so, held up great under my big butt.
So it was only about 7 years old when I bought it with the messed up seat cushion.