FJ40 Seat Foam

[Wadesters]

Just reviving an old thread. Anyone have insights on seat foam? Seems a lot of people are manufacturing hard to find parts now, what about seat foam? I do not mind paying for a good product but the current source is $210 for one seat bottom and then ridiculous shipping.

 

[smtdvm]

Just reviving an old thread. Anyone have insights on seat foam? Seems a lot of people are manufacturing hard to find parts now, what about seat foam? I do not mind paying for a good product but the current source is $210 for one seat bottom and then ridiculous shipping.

I made my own using high density foam, sculpting, gluing, a little trial and error. They ended up pretty firm but work for my needs Foam is expensive and there was a fair amount of waste. I used Cruiser Outfitter’s upholstery and they went on well and looked very good. Given the time it took and the uncertainty associated with the build, I concluded that it would have been worth the cost to purchase the good ones, if not for shipping scalping. I should add, that Cruiser Outfitters provided excellent service and very fair shipping.

 

[Pete]

Not sure if you're referring to Spector but they've been offering foam for as long as I've known of them, over 30 years. If you want to save a ton of money - and better yet, enjoy a feeling of personal accomplishment - get yourself some foam (try a local upholstery shop or a fabric store or Michael's or Hobby Lobby), some contact cement, and a sharp knife, or electric carving knife and have at it. What I did when I reupholstered some buckets several years ago (with ready-made covers) was to patch in come foam where the existing was torn or flattened, using the good parts as a pattern for how the patches were to fit. It's usually the bolster areas bottom and back that will need the patches.

I haven't checked but I'd bet there are YouTube videos on how to fabricate and patch in new foam. There are videos there for almost anything!

Good luck,
Pete

 

[jembourbe]

Did you mean Cruiser Corps?

 

[oregon fj]

What year 40 are we talking about here? Foam for '73> is far more involved in shape than the simple early seats. I have Specter foam in my '64, it seems quite decent and is only $80-85 per seat.

The molded foam for the later sculptured seats might be hard to DIY.

 

[smtdvm]

Did you mean Cruiser Corps?

Sorry. Yes, Cruiser Corps. I was in the middle of a very long flight home and not thinking straight. Reflection on Cruiser Outfitters, Also very good people.

 

[smtdvm]

Mine are a 78FJ40. I added some bolster to mine and beefed them up a little. They turned out fine for my first reform job but as usual with anything I start on the 40, it takes lots longer than I thought it would. 3M foam adhesive is very good stuff. Electric knife is great but I used a large non-powered aerated knife, kept sharp. Using plastic bag wraps and occlusional suction from a vacuum can greatly simplify foam fitting. 10-4 on Utube vids.

 

[smtdvm]

I used suction to shrink and easily insert a large firm block of foam between the seat pans and springs to give further support. I used what I could of the remaining decent parts of cushions and used some course heavy cloth and 3m to somewhat wrap and reinforce what I had. The pics don’t show everything but I added bolstering to the seats and backs experimentally until I had what worked. Rather than trying to work single sheets, I cut and glued various shapes and thicknesses. Due to the thickness of the foam in the centers of the seats, it was very tough to use hog rings there so I used some decent sized zip ties to kind of sneak things together st the center pull downs and seat bottoms.They also allow you to gradually draw everything tight evenly. I don’t know what their longevity is but I am guessing not as long as hog rings. In other areas I used hog rings. I’m sure a pro would have made quick and neat work of this but it seems to have worked for me.

 

[MaxFederle]

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I used suction to shrink and easily insert a large firm block of foam between the seat pans and springs to give further support. I used what I could of the remaining decent parts of cushions and used some course heavy cloth and 3m to somewhat wrap and reinforce what I had. The pics don’t show everything but I added bolstering to the seats and backs experimentally until I had what worked. Rather than trying to work single sheets, I cut and glued various shapes and thicknesses. Due to the thickness of the foam in the centers of the seats, it was very tough to use hog rings there so I used some decent sized zip ties to kind of sneak things together st the center pull downs and seat bottoms.They also allow you to gradually draw everything tight evenly. I don’t know what their longevity is but I am guessing not as long as hog rings. In other areas I used hog rings. I’m sure a pro would have made quick and neat work of this but it seems to have worked for me.

Sorry to being back a zombie thread, but those seats you put in look amazing. Are they Spectre Off Road seats?

 

[smtdvm]

Sorry to being back a zombie thread, but those seats you put in look amazing. Are they Spectre Off Road seats?

Nope. OEM 78 FJ40 seats, original to the truck. Cruiser Corps covers over self refurbished foams.

 

[MaxFederle]

Nope. OEM 78 FJ40 seats, original to the truck. Cruiser Corps covers over self refurbished foams.

My seats are in rough shape. I have a lot of mechanical things to sort out, but down the road, in your opinion, is self building the foam worthwhile? Would you do it again or buy foam? I've never rebuilt seats before, but it looks more affordable than buying a new set of aftermarket seats.

 

[letterman52]

Bestwayfoam.com has the best foam with the IFD you want for these seats. I use the 2.8 stuff as it lasts for years.

Seat Ultra - 2.8 LB density Upholstery Foam Sheets (Best) — Bestway Foam

Density: 2.8 lbs/cubic ft. IFD (firmness) options: Medium (35 lb IFD), Firm (45 lb IFD), and Extra Firm (60 lb IFD). Sheets measure 24” x 82” , and come in thicknesses ranging from 1 to 6 inches . FREE SHIPPING on all orders above $100.

bestwayfoam.com

 

[1969FJ]

Bestwayfoam.com has the best foam with the IFD you want for these seats. I use the 2.8 stuff as it lasts for years.

Seat Ultra - 2.8 LB density Upholstery Foam Sheets (Best) — Bestway Foam

Density: 2.8 lbs/cubic ft. IFD (firmness) options: Medium (35 lb IFD), Firm (45 lb IFD), and Extra Firm (60 lb IFD). Sheets measure 24” x 82” , and come in thicknesses ranging from 1 to 6 inches . FREE SHIPPING on all orders above $100.

bestwayfoam.com

Thanks for this link. Appreciated.

 

[letterman52]

Thanks for this link. Appreciated.

Great foam.

 

[smtdvm]

My seats are in rough shape. I have a lot of mechanical things to sort out, but down the road, in your opinion, is self building the foam worthwhile? Would you do it again or buy foam? I've never rebuilt seats before, but it looks more affordable than buying a new set of aftermarket seats.

I can be pretty hardheaded sometiomes. It probably would have been easier and quicker to just order the foam. Even going the route I went, the foam wasn’t cheap. Add in glue, time and uncertainty of it working well, it might be better to just bite the bullet and order the foam.

 

[coinoperated40]

I just replaced the inserts on my couch and now you have me thinking if I should hang onto this stuff. I do not know the density, but still feels pretty firm. Might give someone ideas on finding cheap foam.

I am thinking it could be make into seat bottoms with some creative knife work.

 

[TexFJ]

Bestwayfoam.com has the best foam with the IFD you want for these seats. I use the 2.8 stuff as it lasts for years.

Seat Ultra - 2.8 LB density Upholstery Foam Sheets (Best) — Bestway Foam

Density: 2.8 lbs/cubic ft. IFD (firmness) options: Medium (35 lb IFD), Firm (45 lb IFD), and Extra Firm (60 lb IFD). Sheets measure 24” x 82” , and come in thicknesses ranging from 1 to 6 inches . FREE SHIPPING on all orders above $100.

bestwayfoam.com

Did you get the 4" and extra firm? Curious.

 

[letterman52]

Did you get the 4" and extra firm? Curious.

1” and 2”. Extra firm

 

[TexFJ]

So use the 2" as base and use the 1" for shaping the side supports?

 

[letterman52]

So use the 2" as base and use the 1" for shaping the side supports?

Yes