Reupholster/cover seat?

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I'm wondering how much this would cost, mine is getting pretty ragged, specially the drivers side. And man does it sag. I don't want to spend the money on bucket sright now, and because they have deeper backs, I'm pretty tall I like the bench seat all the way back. Any body had theirs reupholstered?





Thanks, Steve

 

[Philip]

Last time I knew of someone having one done it cost him $175. It was a semi custom with added support and good quality material. But that has been a while back.







If you talk to a local shop. Look at the material they use. If it is thin with little backing do not use it. It will not last long. You want to use a heavy material. It will with stand a lot of abuse and wear and tear on it. A good material can even take holes being punched in it and not rip out during cold weather. Ask the price on the material they use. If they tell you under $25 per yard. Laugh and find a better material. A pickup bench set takes around three yards. The material is 60" wide on auto upholstery material. Also ask to talk to some of their customers. If they say no. I would suggest buying another seat from a junk yard that needs recovered. That way if their work looks bad. Leave the other seat with them and you still have your original seat. Junkyard seats frames only bring around $20 needing recovered.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I'd like to get it recovered in leather, is that a bad idea? it would be alot easier to clean.









Thanks, Steve

 

[Philip]

I have not priced out doing a leather seat before. But do a google search and see if you can find some prices on leather. You would need at least three full sides to do the job. Seat guality leather is expensive.



You might think leather would be easier to clean. But it also stains easier to. I prefer a good vinyl myself.



You stated your seat is sagging. Better find another set of springs. Most shops do not have the tools to repair bad seat springs. There are to many types on the market to even try to keep parts in stock. If you can find parts. Most OEM seats are made by outside company's. All the parts are made in house most of the time. and parts are not available outside the OEM channel. If you can get them there even.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

It may be the springs, but I know the foam is pretty dead too. Whereabouts would I even start to look for springs and the "leather". Isn't the leather option in newer trucks really vinyl? If so that is what I'm talking about. Thanks







Steve

 

[Philip]

The newer trucks is a leather. It has been tanned to a very high quality.



The springs you just have to hit the junkyards till you find a seat with good springs and bad cloth on it. The foam is not a problem. You can find 3" foam pretty easy. Or use dacron as a filler.



If you want to see some of the cheap vinyl I was talking about. If you have a chain called Joan's Fabrics in your area. Go in there and look at the cheap @#$%% they sell. I wouldn't even use it on a foot rest for use at a camp ground.



I case you are wondering. I do have my own sewing machine.

 

[fredflinstone]

Philip is right the newer seats are a good quality leather. To an extent at least, the plate which is the flat part of the seat is leather and the boxing which is the sides of your seat is actually a good quality vinyl. The cost of getting your seat redone in leather would be quite high. I was asked to recover a set of camaro seats and found that is was actually cheaper for me to go to GM and buy replacement seat upholstery than to buy the leather let alone charge for the labor. I would personally choose a fine quality vinyl and go for the durability , but if you get a fine quality product it will also feel like leather. But If you want just come on over and I'll let you on one of my machines. You can sew up your own seat and be proud to say you did it!!! Later Seth

 

[Philip]

the plate which is the flat part of the seat is leather and the boxing which is the sides of your seat is actually a good quality vinyl.

I hadn't even noticed that before. But with the age of the ones I have done. The only thing leather on them was the owners belt when he was sitting on it.



If you don't feel like driving out to the cornhusker state. You could stop in Indiana.

 

[JLEONARD]

If you buy foam make sure you get what is called "high density" foam. My wife has used this on our boat to re do and build a lot of the seat cushions, V berth cushions, etc. and it holds up very well... .

But she's never used vinyl as a covering... it's usually appolstery fabric... go figure.

Jay

 

[Philip]

For a boat fabric is better most of the time. It lets the foam dry out and this stops your plywood backing from rotting. I have done a few boat seats. Most were back in a year or so if they had vinyl on them.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Sounds like I'll stick with cloth. As far as seat springs do I need springs for dodge bench seats or are they all the same?







Thanks, steve

 

[Philip]

To make the seat easy to fit in find a Dodge seat. As far as I know anything above 1972 will work. Just find a complete seat to use as a replacement for yours.