FJ40 seat install project

[michaelharrisco]

I'm starting a new project that will take quite a while to complete (both time and money).

PO fab up some awful seat rails and welded in some seats from if I'm guessing some mini van from the late 80s. This is the last element for me of pure embarrassment on my 40 (not to say the projects are going to stop), but PO did a lot of things that were so thrown together it killed me every time I saw them.

Anyways, my current status:
1) have oem seats from Adam
2) have all seat brackets now thanks to Brian

Next steps:
1) powder coat seat brackets and potentially the parts attached to the seat
2) get all new hardware
3) assemble outside of truck
4) may install seats as is until reupholster later on

Yesterday I ran into my first question in all of this when taking a closer look at the DS seat.

The area circled in red: does a simple nut - bolt fastener go through these "tabs" to keep the sliding rail attached? Hope that makes sense, but I'm looking at diagrams on sor and other places and can't quite tell. I want to make sure I have all the pieces and parts before I dive into this and could not tell if something is suppose to be attached here.



Anyways, I will repost pictures, progress and prices since a couple of you have asked about various steps I do and how much it ends up costing me.

There will probably be long stretches where I have no activity on this project just so you know. If you have any advice let me know; I'm ripping welded seats on the tub out and putting in oem on a CCOT tub.

 

[custyota]

Nice seats did u find anybody to redo the seats?

 

[JohnVee]

Yes, it's just a bolt to secure the two parts that wrap around the rail. I'd also recommend extending the seat track if you're 6' tall or more. I did it and now my right leg isn't so sore from the awkward foot angle on the gas. That was the biggest comfort mod I've ever done to a vehicle.

Some people span the mounts front to rear with the new metal strap but I used what I had for the time being and it works well for now. The full span would be safer, though. There are some threads on this. Hell, I might have it in my 40 thread. Here's some pics. The rear mounts get spun 180. I didn't use a height spacer to match the front and am fine. I also only did the drivers seat. I'll probably raise the seat when I redo the span piece (I have a smaller diameter steering wheel so I can probably go up an inch or so).

 

[michaelharrisco]

There are a few places in Raleigh that will redo them. I have it on the to do list to take them there for a quote and advice if I need to get sor seat foam or if they will handle all of it.

Anyone ever painted the back panels on the seats? I don't mind doing this myself, but would like to know a good color match if anyone has had good luck.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Make sure to let us know which upholstery shop you use and how they were. Do it up!

 

[Snowdogyyz]

I painted the backs of mine using Cruiser Corps pewter spray can. I think it came out great!

Check my build thread for pics,

Also used their seat covers which are really nice.

 

[michaelharrisco]

My mouth is watering! Great job.

I will check out their stuff and also probably consider the materials in comparison to letting a shop handle everything.

After seeing your pictures I think I'm going to take all my rails apart and powder coat everything.

Do it right

 

[Snowdogyyz]

My mouth is watering! Great job.

I will check out their stuff and also probably consider the materials in comparison to letting a shop handle everything.

After seeing your pictures I think I'm going to take all my rails apart and powder coat everything.

Do it right

Thanks! I bought the covers and had a local guy do the covering and foam repair. It was about $125, but it was done right. I did end up painting the seat rails/sliders so they look better than the pics I posted. I also used CC seat covers to finish the jump seats as well. Be sure to specify black covers unless you want grey ones!

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I did my 40 seats years ago. I got the material from Sor and went to town. I do not remember the price but they have held up great. If I remember it was the late 90's when I did them. Still look perfect. Least to me they do. I could use some new rear metal pieces but not really important to me.

 

[kulangot]

I too would recommend the foam and covers from SOR

They make them on site.

You can install them yourself. You just need the hog ring pliers.

As I type this, I suddenly am wondering who I lent mine to, have not seen them in a while as in a few years

You can also buy these cool seat brackets to raise up the seat and move it back

http://www.springtailsolutions.com/html/subpage45.html

I am not super tall but I have a bad knee. Was considering these for my next 40.

Nice because they are adjustable.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I made my own pliers with some regular pliers and a drill.

 

[michaelharrisco]

Started to tear apart the seats a bit today to prepare rails for powder coating. Ran into a few quick questions (# below correlates to picture):

1) do I need to get the DS rails separated for powder coating? Can't seem to figure out how to get completely separated other that some type of rivet since all nuts are removed. Any suggestions?

2) any concerns on leaving the plastic knob here for powder coating? How do I remove it if needed?

3) any tips on how to remove this assembly? Is this just a brute force rivet removal? Any concerns on reinstalling it? I'd like to remove if possible.

4) how do I remove this piece? Do I have to start removing the seat upholster to get to this?

Also, not numbered but wondering what thoughts are on using SS for this hardware. Is that a big no no due to softness of SS? Lots of rusty hardware in here so I usually replace with SS, but wanted some feedback.

Everything else is coming along and have the seats cushions off the rails ready for quotes or do it myself with sor or cruiser corp products.

 

[michaelharrisco]

In case #4 is hard to tell what the picture is showing , here is a picture zoomed out.

 

[custyota]

For being seats from a 78 the fabric looks pretty decent except for the front . Looking good

 

[michaelharrisco]

Thinking the same thing on how good of shape they are in... I'm going to consider having the shop just do bottoms, but color match could be a concern.

 

[custyota]

Agreed. He truck was originally a Nevada rig. Before we brought to Cali then nc

 

[michaelharrisco]

Update: I plan on ordering parts and doing this myself. Went to two shops (Surefit and Auto Interiors and Tops) and both quoted me $1300 -$1500 for both seats.

When I told them the option of ordering premade covers and foam already cut to shape they said they would go that route.

This is a nice option as well because it will allow me to powder coat all the metal guts of the seat as well.

Talked to Carolina Powder Coating and I'm going to get by there for a quote.

More to come, but thought I'd share those quote figures.

My plan on parts is:
1) covers from cruiser corp
2) foam bottom from sor

Anyone know any other options for foam?

 

[michaelharrisco]

Foam bottoms aren't as bad as I thought they would be.

Doesn't man-a-free or some other company make a "patch" kit that will fill in some if these bad spots? I searched, but did not find anything.

Let me know if you know of anything.

 

[JohnVee]

You can always switch the DS and PS foams so the wear spots are on the other side - popular method. I've always worried about crumbly 30+yr old foam, though. The new covers might last another 30 years but I'm sure the old foam won't. I'm eagerly watching this thread. Need to refoam and recover my Spitfire seats.

Now is the time to think about seat heaters if you're so inclined...

--john

 

[michaelharrisco]

I probably will swap the bottom cushions around, but don't think I will go for the heated seats.

I have my box full of parts do powder coating and will be dropping them off today at Carolina Powder in Cary.

As far as the bottom cushions, I've opted to go with self repair. I spent $12 in materials and the plan is to add a layer of foam on the bottoms where the springs hit the cushions (multiple shops recommended this), cut out the bad areas and fill in and cut to shape. Then put a layer of "Dacron" sp? on the bottoms between the foam and the seat covers. Several shops said this is a good way to fill in imperfections in old seats.

All covers and other parts for this job are on their way. Should be wrapped up soon, but doing this job as time allows so who knows when they will finally get installed.