Seat Replacement/ Repair Options

[SteamerF18]

I have the standard time worn drivers seat and have been researching options to fix said eyesore. Options as I see them.

#1: Replacement foam/ cover from SOR $$$$
#2: Re-upholstery @ a local shop $$$$
#3: Locate BMW seats from 90's E36 $$$
#4: Try these: http://www.metaltech4x4.com/p-416-daily-driver.aspx $$$

I'm curious about fellow Mudders perspectives and experiences with the list above. Thanks in advance.

 

[TS888]

Land Rover Discovery II seats are a good fit, very comfortable, easy to install, and 6 way power with heaters. They come in tan that looks pretty good with a brown interior, and grey or black for a gray interior.

Because of the above, I have a pretty nice set of brown 60 seats gathering dust in the garage.

 

[Corgan]

I'm curious also, I just purchased a 89 FJ62 and the drivers seat is shot. This is my first must do on this truck.

 

[60Works]

The $or cushions are a perfect fit, firm, and seem to be good quality foam. I haven't used their covers but, since it's reused OEM material, it should be durable. If the rest of your interior is decent it would allow replacing just what you need.

There is no premolded repair for the seat back. It never had good lumbar support and, now that the foam has turned to powder with age, its like sitting inside Mork's egg spaceship. A good apholstery shop can rebuild it with layers of differing density of foam. I would still use $OR's seat bottom even if having a shop rebuild the back. Pulling the covers is a job. Buy a set of hog ring pliers, the angled ones, and do all of it yourself except the seat back foam.

Personal opinion: the Metaltech seats are a fitting style for a dune buggy or crawler, not a 60. (To each his own.)

 

[robustbambi]

BMW seats would probably be a pretty cheap option at a junkyard. Im sure plenty of them were wrecked by people who think they know how to drive

 

[SteamerF18]

BMW seats would probably be a pretty cheap option at a junkyard. Im sure plenty of them were wrecked by people who think they know how to drive

If that is the case then all I need to do is wait until I wreck the one I have in the driveway and then I get free seats!

 

[Bull Moose]

I have a service of the SOR replacement butt cushions and they are wrapped in the brown vinyl. The vinyl has begun to crack, and the bead on the seat bottom seam has broken off . they are comfortable enough, but I have started looking for replacements, as I am now finding the SOR deal is a bandaid, or a solution if you want to stay original.

I will be getting manual seats, not power. Land Rover seats are comfortable. I had a 99 range rover and those seats were amazing. However LR electrics are buggy at best, so proceed with caution on any LR products. In my opinion they bring down the value of your land cruiser. Lol.

 

[SteamerF18]

I have a BMW in the drive and have enjoyed the seats for the last six + years. That is as known a quantity as I have at the moment other than the grey hunk sitting in my rig that spits out yellow foam on a daily basis. I read an old thread recently where TORFAB mentioned the Bimmer seats and said that was all he was going to put in for customers. I'm paraphrasing so please don't quote me.

Tony the LR seats are intriguing, but I'm not electrically inclined so manual is where I'm looking most. I'll keep my eyes on CL and see what I can find on the manual side.

Juggernaught your viewpoint is appreciated as I certainly want to keep my 60, well a 60. I'm obviously deviating if I don't keep the stockers, but getting something more comfortable that won't erode at the edges is my goal. On the $ side it appears to be a bit pricey to re-foam and upholster the original seats. I say appears as I'm sure there are hidden costs with the "cheaper" options I proposed.

Bull Moose thank you for the feedback on the $or seats, seems that without reinforcing the original design I'll end up at square one.

Thanks to all and keep it coming Mudders, inquiring minds want to know!

 

[60Works]

The decision to stay stock or not is mostly dependent on personal preference. For me, the condition of the truck makes a difference. A truck that's already been heavily modified or badly tattered is much easier to continue changing. The BMW seats seem to fit the existing style better than the other options I've seen. They are thinner and don't look like overfluffed Lazy Boys.

Function matters too. For some, comfort is everything; soft, heated, electric trim.

A few months back a Mudder put PT Cruiser seats in his 60. They didn't look bad. (If you can get over putting PT parts in your Cruiser.) ;p

These are the $OR cushions under original fabric.

 

[TS888]

I have a BMW in the drive and have enjoyed the seats for the last six + years. That is as known a quantity as I have at the moment other than the grey hunk sitting in my rig that spits out yellow foam on a daily basis. I read an old thread recently where TORFAB mentioned the Bimmer seats and said that was all he was going to put in for customers. I'm paraphrasing so please don't quote me.

Tony the LR seats are intriguing, but I'm not electrically inclined so manual is where I'm looking most. I'll keep my eyes on CL and see what I can find on the manual side.

Juggernaught your viewpoint is appreciated as I certainly want to keep my 60, well a 60. I'm obviously deviating if I don't keep the stockers, but getting something more comfortable that won't erode at the edges is my goal. On the $ side it appears to be a bit pricey to re-foam and upholster the original seats. I say appears as I'm sure there are hidden costs with the "cheaper" options I proposed.

Bull Moose thank you for the feedback on the $or seats, seems that without reinforcing the original design I'll end up at square one.

Thanks to all and keep it coming Mudders, inquiring minds want to know!

I understand the appeal of manual seats. I looked for manual options, but then the Disco seats were given to me, so my wallet and my butt outvoted my head.

Maybe obvious advice, but look for seats as close to the dimensions of your stockers as possible. If the width of the rails is within 1.5" it will work, the length is more important to minimize fabrication.

 

[Mildot]

Just to throw another option in here. PT cruiser seats are a great fit and huge improvement from stock. See the post in my signature to see how easy it is.

I picked mine up of of Craigslist for $50 and they are leather!

Also they are manual they have a bar across the front makes for easy use right or left handed.

 

[mikekapelus]

i just did the pt cruiser swap, it was a huge improvement.

 

[Trapper50cal]

I bought a passenger seat in matching interior cloth and swapped brackets to put it in the driver position.

Passenger seats are most often in great condition because they aren't used as much and you are "reversing" the bolsters in that the inside, unmolested bolster, becomes the outside bolster.

 

[skhawley]

I just went through the same issue. Steal springs poking my.. butt anyway... I looked at BMW seats, and really like the idea of heated seats and all the options. The "committee" comes from a family of automobile restores that loves stock, so there was that issue. The seat issue came down to a few basic questions i had to answer.
Stay stock or not to stay stock.
Replace or rebuild
DIY or pay a pro.

I Kept my old seats, found a great shop in Tucson that rebuilt the seats and kept the same stitch pattern. I replaced the material with a durable vinyl and let go of the idea of stock. I love my new seats, and the new look of the old lady. I spent $400 on both front seats and the rear bench. and another $25 on a Map pocket on the back of the passenger front seat. Good luck on your decision.

 

[Trapper50cal]

I just went through the same issue. Steal springs poking my.. butt anyway... I looked at BMW seats, and really like the idea of heated seats and all the options. The "committee" comes from a family of automobile restores that loves stock, so there was that issue. The seat issue came down to a few basic questions i had to answer.
Stay stock or not to stay stock.
Replace or rebuild
DIY or pay a pro.

I Kept my old seats, found a great shop in Tucson that rebuilt the seats and kept the same stitch pattern. I replaced the material with a durable vinyl and let go of the idea of stock. I love my new seats, and the new look of the old lady. I spent $400 on both front seats and the rear bench. and another $25 on a Map pocket on the back of the passenger front seat. Good luck on your decision.

Those look great and it doesn't sound like they destroyed your wallet either...

 

[SteamerF18]

So I'll add PT Cruiser seats to my CL search list and see what I can find, the style seems quite appropriate for a LC. I also think we have to give some props to "Cruiser" being in the name and having some synergy being installed in a LandCruiser.

Tony, good advice on the fitment piece, I will file that away in my notes for my search.

Juggernaught those seats certainly look sweet and if I didn't have my eye on other goodies that is a well executed interior to emulate. Is that OEM replacement carpet or something else that you sourced? I'm not sure what route I'm going on floor covering. Looking to make this an expedition rig for family camping and thinking a bedliner would be best, but I would like to get the interior as quiet as can be had. Competing interests I know.

sk your seats are well executed as well. I'll have to see if I can find an upholstery shop that will do the same for similar cost. At least I have some pictures and a price point to offer and see what they come back with

Thanks Mudders, great advice and options as always.

 

[Mildot]

Also worth noting if you go something other then stock if your passenger seat is still good then you can likely sell it. I sold just the fabric from mine (cheaper to ship) for 25$ + shipping.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I've heard 4 Runner seats make a good swap. 1999 - 2005?? SR5 series. I just sat in a set, that are as of yet unavailable, and they are very comfortable. Being Toyota, I'd say it might be a very simple swap as well. I've got an old set of Subaru seats right now of unknown vintage, acceptable but not luxury!

 

[tucson_sailors]

PTLC Seats

i just did the pt cruiser swap, it was a huge improvement.

Did you have to fabricate new brackets/rails, etc? Most of the non-LC options seem to include that as a default, but just wanted to check. Pics if you have em of any mods needed would be appreciated.

Glenn

 

[Mildot]

See my signature you only have to mod the pt cruiser sliders and mount its an easy job