Bench Seats, Having them Reupholstered

[blazer2007]

Originally Posted by blazer2007

I didn,t think I worded it right ,I will take a pic

In my brain it made sense lol

[blazer2007]

Found my washer, only one. Was wondering where they go on the tilt arm from the upper seat arm or am I missing some and where to get them

[blazer2007]

forgot a arrow

[TKCR]

The washer goes between the upper seat arm and the seat bottom. It acts as a protection for the vinyl on the seat bottom, from the seat arm tilting back & forth. I usually just clean up and reuse the old ones. But not every seat instrip down has them.
So I have bought a box of those washers, to use when I don’t have any of the originals to use. They are the exact same size overall, and the hole opening. But they are slightly thicker. I could not find replacements as thin as the originals. I can send you a couple of the new ones. Just PM me your address. Otherwise you can just look around at your local hardware stores, you might find something close.

[blazer2007]

thanks , I wasn,t sure if there was 2 per side ,one on the fabric side and one between the the hinges. Thanks for the offer but I,m sure can snoop in the bins at H. depot and find something.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by blazer2007

thanks , I wasn,t sure if there was 2 per side ,one on the fabric side and one between the the hinges. Thanks for the offer but I,m sure can snoop in the bins at H. depot and find something.

Nope, just 1 per side. Between the hinge arm and seat vinyl.

[oldgold70c10]

So, the 73-80 seats will bolt right in and work in an 81-87 truck?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by oldgold70c10

So, the 73-80 seats will bolt right in and work in an 81-87 truck?

Yes

[71gmcC15]

What is this. I realy like it. Would go great with my interior. Rather then this blue tweed.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

What is this. I realy like it. Would go great with my interior. Rather then this blue tweed.

That is a 77-80 bench seat in Camel Tan. I’ve done a couple this color

[TKCR]

This is an 1981-1987 Black Velour Deluxe. Bench seat has been fully restored and was rebuilt using a new seat bottom foam. This one is staying here in Ohio.

[rodstored-72]

HOLY COW!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

HOLY COW!

Yep, pretty NASTY!! These have been my worst. A lot of this ended up at the dump. Not a whole lot that can be saved when they are this bad.

[GOPAPA]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Yep, pretty NASTY!! These have been my worst. A lot of this ended up at the dump. Not a whole lot that can be saved when they are this bad.

Them are awful ,,please keep them a far distance from any Mahogany Seat Belts please ,if you know what I am getting at ..
You are one of a few ,,that will make something out of what a lot of people wouldn't take up their time with ,, you know that don't you ? hats off to ya

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Them are awful ,,please keep them a far distance from any Mahogany Seat Belts please ,if you know what I am getting at

You don’t have to concern yourself about that. Most of these nasty seats was some time ago. And when I strip these seats, I immediately take what needs to go to the dump right away. The most recent were the the CrewCab seats I just posted. And those were just ate up with rust. Yes, they had been sitting in someone’s barn with the chickens, but it was the rust issue more than anything.

When it comes to the seatbelts, each set is in a box on the other side of the garage. And most of them are out in the heated insulated shed. They are stored out there with the restored seat frames.

[GOPAPA]

Originally Posted by TKCR

You don’t have to concern yourself about that. Most of these nasty seats was some time ago. And when I strip these seats, I immediately take what needs to go to the dump right away. The most recent were the the CrewCab seats I just posted. And those were just ate up with rust. Yes, they had been sitting in someone’s barn with the chickens, but it was the rust issue more than anything.

When it comes to the seatbelts, each set is in a box on the other side of the garage. And most of them are out in the heated insulated shed. They are stored out there with the restored seat frames.

Thanks for the photos of your very nice organized work shop,,enjoyed seeing it all .. """hope you know I was only kiddin ya""" ..I feel that any one who does very neat and exact workmanship as you do ,,and also you have shown to us...I will tell you ,,many ,,, many more times than not ,it will be is a very clean place to work..

[LT7A]

"When it comes to the seatbelts, each set is in a box on the other side of the garage. And most of them are out in the heated insulated shed. They are stored out there with the restored seat frames."

Yes, but is there natural light and ready access to food and water?

Haha, that's quite an operation TKCR. The setup looks as good as your finished products.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Yes, but is there natural light and ready access to food and water?

Haha, that's quite an operation TKCR. The setup looks as good as your finished products.

I have natural light and access to food & water in the garage I didn’t mention what up in the attic above the garage. I do have a few parts up there, but that’s where I store pretty much all the foam. It’s not heavy, so it’s easy to put up there and get down.
My problem is, I’m severely OCD. So everything has to have its place, and I like to know what I have and where it’s at. Although that’s not how it goes sometimes.

[TKCR]

A good set of Hog Ring pliers and good hog rings are a must, for installing covers. That first set is probably my favorite. That one helps to pull the cover, to hog ring it in place. That is, if it is a well made cover. Some of the pre-made aftermarket covers that people get from LMC or Classic Industries, they vary too much in size. They are mass produced by ACME, so the focus is more on just that, quantity versus quality.
When I first started dabbling in restoring seats, I used a few covers from LMC, because I had no knowledge of sewing up covers. Nor, did I have the room. Well I can honestly say, that the quality is just not there with these covers. Most of them were made too big, which made for a lot of excess material. And the sewing techniques were awful, way too many puckers. He are a few examples.

[TKCR]

For quite a few years now, I have someone that makes my cover for my seats. The quality is A++++! Better materials, thicker padding and they are made to fit nice and tight.
Here are some examples.

[JJH Jimmy]

You do great work Tina! And I appreciate you taking the time to show us how you do it and the good and the bad of the products out there. I was just about ready to order the Silverado interior kit for my build from USA1 and was wondering if you have installed any of their seat covers and what the quality was like? Thank you!

[69Tom]

Posting this for your future info/not trying to hijack the thread. After this seat, I'd say buy upholstery from SMS but don't let them make your cover. The back fit quite well, but the bottom dimensions are so off, this is with adding 1" foam on top, and some foam in the front part of the seat. I'm sure someone with your experience could have probably done a better job, but I think you might have even struggled with it. I think as most know, adding that 1" of foam is unwanted height to the seat, especially under the steering wheel (luckily I have a tilt wheel). I should have known I was in trouble when they contacted me after 8 months and said they hadn't started on it yet because they didn't have the pattern for the cover.

Aside from that, it does look nice and the fabric is great. Hope it holds up. Once I get this truck back together and driving and save up some cash, I'll probably take the seat to an upholstery shop, buy a new bottom foam, and have them cut/fit/resew the bottom cover so I don't have to use a bunch of extra foam.

In any event, if you have the $, just have TKCR do your seat. They turn out much nicer.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 69Tom

Posting this for your future info/not trying to hijack the thread. After this seat, I'd say buy upholstery from SMS but don't let them make your cover. The back fit quite well, but the bottom dimensions are so off, this is with adding 1" foam on top, and some foam in the front part of the seat. I'm sure someone with your experience could have probably done a better job, but I think you might have even struggled with it. I think as most know, adding that 1" of foam is unwanted height to the seat, especially under the steering wheel (luckily I have a tilt wheel). I should have known I was in trouble when they contacted me after 8 months and said they hadn't started on it yet because they didn't have the pattern for the cover.

Aside from that, it does look nice and the fabric is great. Hope it holds up. Once I get this truck back together and driving and save up some cash, I'll probably take the seat to an upholstery shop, buy a new bottom foam, and have them cut/fit/resew the bottom cover so I don't have to use a bunch of extra foam.

In any event, if you have the $, just have TKCR do your seat. They turn out much nicer.

I think it looks nice. To me, I just looks like it needed a lot of handworking. It can get frustrating, to say the least. But I will say this, putting a cover on a non tilt seat can be a bit of a handful. I’ve only done a few. I don’t even get core seats anymore, unless they tilt. No one wants them anyways.
Your seat bottom foam, is it a full foam or a poor mans foam?

[69Tom]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Your seat bottom foam, is it a full foam or a poor mans foam?

Full foam. I have a 74 Cheyenne Super. That's the correct seat cover for the truck. Which sadly, no one reproduces.

[HOTFUN]

The seat 74 style fabric looks great and actually not far off a factory fit job back in the day. Did you install new storage pockets on the lower front edge door panels or are they the originals? They sure look nice. I was wondering if anyone had used the reproduction door pockets that USA1 Industries sell in all the original colors or tried to dye original ones?