Bench Seats, Having them Reupholstered

[flashed]

Do you do just new seat covers ? I need one for a 79 Big 10 Bonanza , Red Vinyl with plaid inserts .

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by flashed

Do you do just new seat covers ? I need one for a 79 Big 10 Bonanza , Red Vinyl with plaid inserts .

Normally no. All the covers are used on my seats that I build.

[flashed]

I understand , my seat is very nice and comfy , just not my style .

[allengator]

will a 81-87 seat bolt into a 73-80 truck?
specifically a 1980?
I like the 81+ seat upholstery better!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by allengator

will a 81-87 seat bolt into a 73-80 truck?
specifically a 1980?
I like the 81+ seat upholstery better!

Yes, all the 73-87 seats will bolt up to any of the 73-87 cabs. What you can’t do is switch the tracks amongst the seat frames. The tracks are specific to the frames. And they are:
73-76
77-80
81-87
So another words, you can’t take 81-87 tracks and bolt it to a 77-80 seat frame. But again, all the seats bolt to the cab floor, no matter what the year of seat.

[TKCR]

Looks like a decent seat core, correct? This is going to be a perfect example of bad repairs from someone. A lot of CORRECT repairs are needed on this seat, to make her whole again and ready for Restoration.
First, the seat gets stripped down to reveal all the problems that need addressed.
2nd common broken springs.
3rd seat back rail broken.
4th close up of the seat rail break. This will be welded back together.
Last pic, this was a poor attempt at repairing a broken grid. The grids are not repairable, it’s best just to replace them, which this one will be. All the broken springs will be replaced with new springs also. Once all the repairs are made, the seat frame-tracks and hardware will be restored. Then it will be ready to be rebuilt, and be as good as new!

[Danmcg]

Thanks for all your posts TK, I've learned a lot about seat repair from you.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Danmcg

Thanks for all your posts TK, I've learned a lot about seat repair from you.

[TKCR]

Got a bunch of tracks done this week, along with a few rear seat brackets for the Crew Cabs.

[TKCR]

The seat frame, from post #357, I got all the springs replaced and installed a good grid. Got it all sandblasted & repainted.

[TKCR]

I thought I would try something different, for the sandblasting. I got this from Harbor Freight, 40% off the regular price. Works pretty darn good. I was able to do all the tracks & rear brackets, from post #360 and a seat frame, in just a few hours. Before I could only do about 2 sets in a few hours. And my hands would be so tired after those 2 sets, so I was way behind on getting any tracks completed.

[DD1]

Hi, I was referred to your post by another board member. I have a 71 C10 and I regrettably disposed of my seat after getting a used one. The used seat turns out to be for a later model truck, and although I have not determined which type truck it is for as yet, your thread has been helpful.

I kept the tracks for the 71 seat. Do you know if I can modify the later model seat to work with those tracks?

Any suggestions you have on the best way to make this seat work with a 71 is appreciated. Or if you have some other options for me to consider, let me know.

Below is a pic of the seat. I can post a pic of the top of the seat later today if you would like.

Thanks,

Darien

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by DD1

Hi, I was referred to your post by another board member. I have a 71 C10 and I regrettably disposed of my seat after getting a used one. The used seat turns out to be for a later model truck, and although I have not determined which type truck it is for as yet, your thread has been helpful.

I kept the tracks for the 71 seat. Do you know if I can modify the later model seat to work with those tracks?

Any suggestions you have on the best way to make this seat work with a 71 is appreciated. Or if you have some other options for me to consider, let me know.

Below is a pic of the seat. I can post a pic of the top of the seat later today if you would like.

Thanks,

Darien

The seat in your photo is an 81-87 seat, Chevy Truck, and one that is in pretty bad shape too. You have a lot of missing springs and the grid looks to be damaged in places too. And because the mismatch of foam, I would say the foam is badly damaged too.
As for the tracks and the 71 truck. The tracks are totally different on the 67-72 generation of trucks. Even on the 73-87 generation, you cannot swap tracks. The track has to match the frame. They are as follows:
73-76
77-80
81-87
So another words you wouldn’t be able to bolt the 81-87 tracks to a 77-80 frame. The only way to use different tracks, on different frames, is to weld them. Also the 67-72 tracks have risers, they make the seat sit up higher. There is a thread on 67-72 board, discussing seat tracks.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ht=Seat+tracks

[DD1]

Originally Posted by TKCR

The seat in your photo is an 81-87 seat, Chevy Truck, and one that is in pretty bad shape too. You have a lot of missing springs and the grid looks to be damaged in places too. And because the mismatch of foam, I would say the foam is badly damaged too.
As for the tracks and the 71 truck. The tracks are totally different on the 67-72 generation of trucks. Even on the 73-87 generation, you cannot swap tracks. The track has to match the frame. They are as follows:
73-76
77-80
81-87
So another words you wouldn’t be able to bolt the 81-87 tracks to a 77-80 frame. The only way to use different tracks, on different frames, is to weld them. Also the 67-72 tracks have risers, they make the seat sit up higher. There is a thread on 67-72 board, discussing seat tracks.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ht=Seat+tracks

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I wish I had not tossed my original seat.

I’m not ready for a new seat yet; it would probably just get damaged. Do you tend to have 67-72 seats available?

Thanks!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by DD1

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I wish I had not tossed my original seat.

I’m not ready for a new seat yet; it would probably just get damaged. Do you tend to have 67-72 seats available?

Thanks!

I have one, 67-68. But it is already spoken for. They are extremely hard to find. The pick are when I got it, and then after I stripped it down and restored the frame.

[TKCR]

And then the tracks. They are 67-68, I have them marked wrong

[TKCR]

Took a little road trip to Cincinnati. Picked up a few seat cores and a set of Charcoal Seat Belts. The Blue Seat is a S10 Benchseat. I have gotten a few requests for those. So it will be my 1st time for an S10 Restoration.

[TKCR]

Here’s a better pic of the S10 Benchseat. It is very similar to the full size Benchseats, just not as wide. Got both or the seats torn down today.

[TKCR]

This will be the next seat to be built. 77-80 tilting seat. It will be going in a 77. Black Velour/Vinyl. More pics to come when I get it built.

[MikeB]

Just bought this seat upholstery from LMC and had it installed locally. Fortunately the seat base and back were in great shape.

[TKCR]

I got the seat built today, using the cover in the above post. This is a 1977-1980 Tilting bench seat. The frame, tracks and hardware have all been restored. Black Velour/Vinyl.

[rodstored-72]

tkcr,
great work.... I always check in to see what you have new to work on. I wanted to know how you like the HF blaster so far? Also I was wondering how you utilize it in relation to containing the "spray"?? do you have an inclosure? finally i was wondering if you are able/do bucket seats for our trucks? I have a '86 and looking at putting buckets in? I am looking into maybe doing a pair of late model (2013 newer) as well, just curious....

thanks for the "threads" on the seat rebulds...

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

tkcr,
great work.... I always check in to see what you have new to work on. I wanted to know how you like the HF blaster so far? Also I was wondering how you utilize it in relation to containing the "spray"?? do you have an inclosure? finally i was wondering if you are able/do bucket seats for our trucks? I have a '86 and looking at putting buckets in? I am looking into maybe doing a pair of late model (2013 newer) as well, just curious....

thanks for the "threads" on the seat rebulds...

I like the HF blaster so far. It does better than the siphon in the bucket. And I have a cabinet for the small stuff. It has enabled me to work faster. Before, then really bad stuff, I took to a friend that sandblasts. He has a big setup!! I just do mine outside, my friend has a extension off his pole barn, to contain his. It’s a room dedicated to sandblasting. He does a lot of big tractors.
I have done only a set of 1970 GTO buckets. They are further back on this seat thread. I get asked a lot about buckets. I can do them, but I need the seats. I don’t have a stock of cores, like I do the bench seats. And this I know from doing the GTO buckets, there is a lot more work involved in bucket seats.

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by TKCR

....And this I know from doing the GTO buckets, there is a lot more work involved in bucket seats.

I would guess so as well, I guess it is like doing 2 benches, just shorter distance I recently bought the smaller "grey" blaster from HF, it seems to work pretty good, I just need to figure out a "containment system". thank you for the reply.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

I would guess so as well, I guess it is like doing 2 benches, just shorter distance I recently bought the smaller "grey" blaster from HF, it seems to work pretty good, I just need to figure out a "containment system". thank you for the reply.

Nope, on the contrary, there are a lot of parts & springs. The covers a a royal pain to get on!! The bench seats are way easier to do. I would gladly do 10 bench seats, over doing buckets, lol. I’ll do them, but it’s hard work, and hard on the hands!! Those GTO buckets I did, took about 3 months. But I was still working too, I’m retired now. But I had to take them in stages to complete, and then there’s 2 of them. I took my time, I wanted to make sure I did them right the 1st time.