'72 front seat re-cover/ foam

[steffan]

Full disclosure, I am no expert at anything especially upholstery so don't take this as the correct way to do things.
Just a rundown on how my front seat restoration is going along in case it helps someone along the way.
Here is the driver's side bottom - sandblasted and primed with 2k epoxy, then painted - with the epoxy primer on everything, I didn't feel the expense was warranted to paint the springs etc

 

[steffan]

I went with SOR's kit (not affiliated etc) only because it seemed to have decent reviews and was the most complete for this model year. Again, no expert and no previous experience to judge with the quality of materials etc but seemed solid. the foam is a softer yellow and then a firm/ hard insert that is supposed to wear better against the springs

 

[steffan]

I went with some extra heavy duty poly material for spring cover. I went about this several different times. I tried taping the material and then placing the foam - that didn't work. ultimately, placing the material in the foam and then placing the foam worked the best

 

[steffan]

Once I had the foam and material set I was confronted on how to put the cover on. Naturally, when I attempted to put the cover on over everything, it all fell apart in once big jumble. In the end, I turned the cover inside out, laid it on the table, then placed the seat with the foam and material on top of it and then pulled the cover up and over there seat. With the cover slipped on, it held together enough to place it in the sun to soften it up to where I could stretch it out and work everything together smoothly. A couple holes had to be punched out for the mounting bolts.
The kit came with some cord to hold the cover tight but it didn't provide a nice hold to the material so I ended up with some electrical wire to pull/ hold the front and then stainless welding wire for the rear before screwing it all down.
I forgot to mention: the blue towels - those are on there because I put about 85lbs of weight on the seat to compress everything while I pulled the cover up and on. You could probably do it without by working from one side to the other but this made it really easy to even everything up/ make sure it was straight.

 

[steffan]

how it came out

 

[steffan]

originally, the seat had these plastic spacers that went between the main seat and the slider assembly/ base. once side survived but the other had disintegrated. I just put a couple of washers on each mounting bolt

 

[steffan]

some pictures of the sliders, springs and base going on

 

[steffan]

back where it belongs. maybe someone can help me with this: the mounting plates for the seat came with only a straight pin to hold the seat? it seems that would be too unsecure to hold it in place? I place some old spring clips on there for now until I can decide otherwise

 

[405]

Nice work! Looks like you’re doing a great job

 

[Eddieboy3]

That came out nice man! Are you happy with the Spector material, color, craftsmanship?

Also, the pink poly material you used between the foam and the springs…was that included or did you need to add? I assume that serves as a material to keep the springs from eventually eating thru the foam?

Again, looks great, send more updates when you assemble, complete that backrest

Ed

 

[PidgeonGuggolo]

Very nice! Thanks for documenting in such detailed manner.

 

[timmyisinthewell]

Really nice job! I have Jan. '72 so I'll be following for the complete bench restore. See attached pic from my truck.

 

[charliemeyer007]

FJ40 Upholstery, Cushions and Hardware - Specter Off-Road

Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...

www.sor.com

 

[MDH33]

Looking good! I used the SOR covers on my 69 as well.

Here's what I did to compress the springs to screw cover to frame, worked well:

I have noticed wear on the driver's seat bottom after only a few hundred miles, which makes me worry about the durability. Time will tell I guess.

 

[steffan]

That came out nice man! Are you happy with the Spector material, color, craftsmanship?

Also, the pink poly material you used between the foam and the springs…was that included or did you need to add? I assume that serves as a material to keep the springs from eventually eating thru the foam?

Again, looks great, send more updates when you assemble, complete that backrest

Ed

Like I said, I don't have a lot of experience in this area but the material and stitching seems well done. Working with it, I never worried about the seams pulling apart or tearing. Per the SOR website: "Qualex 1 inch top foam, backed with 3/4 inch layer of polyethylene pad pan filler which provides support and keeps the springs in place and not coming thru the upper foam, Qualex outer border that skirts the seat, allow for extra layer of padding and also prevents the springs and wires from cutting thru the sides of your new upholstery."
The poly did not come with the set... their statement seems to allude that no buffer material is needed? I guess I'm a little wary about metal on foam regardless of the claims - probably ok but I didn't want to chance it? Thanks for the compliment

 

[steffan]

Looking good! I used the SOR covers on my 69 as well.

Here's what I did to compress the springs to screw cover to frame, worked well:

I have noticed wear on the driver's seat bottom after only a few hundred miles, which makes me worry about the durability. Time will tell I guess.

Thanks - it's all helpful!

 

[steffan]

moving on to the passenger/ bench seat. same as the driver side but getting a little faster

 

[steffan]

A few more shots of the process. Took 350lbs to get enough compression to easily hold the cover. I took a pencil and marked the holes so that I could easily find them under the material. Before I made a hole with an awl, I rubbed on it with the handle and it was easily to see where the indent was.. if that makes sense.

 

[steffan]

Again, I wasn't happy with the way the supplied chord was holding the material so I used more of the 1/16" stainless welding rod.... a small clamp to support the wire on the backside. There was a factory hole there otherwise I wouldn't have put it there. Not sure how the factory covers fit so that it would be utilized.

 

[steffan]

here are the screws I am using - sorry, don't have the box for the washers. both from amazon