SOR Seat Covers

[Waterboy]

I’ve been driving my FJ40 daily since January. February I ordered SOR foam and seat cover kit. Fast forward to now. The edge of the driver seat is wearing through and will continue to get worse. I sent the photos to SOR and they say that there is clearly and external abrasion causing the wear. External abrasion is not covered under warranty. Am I expected to spend this kind of money on seat covers and have it wear through in six months?!?! I was outta of the country for a month and half this year also.

Am I wrong or is this poor quality?

Cheers,
Waterboy

 

[bhsdriller]

Does look like something abrasive but that is a quick amount of time to have it happen. Do you slide in/out off of it, probably accelerated the wear. I always try to somewhat lift myself up when getting in or out to prevent this

 

[Waterboy]

I just get in and out like I have all my vehicles in years past. I wear board shorts 90% of the time. Have never worn jeans in this 40. Even if do happen to slide here and there I still thinks it’s very premature wear. Maybe I’m wrong

 

[Catching Neutral]

I just get in and out like I have all my vehicles in years past. I wear board shorts 90% of the time. Have never worn jeans in this 40. Even if do happen to slide here and there I still thinks it’s very premature wear. Maybe I’m wrong

Best solution ever. Board shorts can solve almost any problem.
Does seem like the wear is premature

 

[Pitter Patter]

Isn’t every abrasion external? Sounds like some BS considering car seats should last for decades.

 

[smtdvm]

Yeah, I’m thinking that is some pretty flimsy vinyl. Maybe a bad bond or thin layer? My original seats, although trashed, didn’t show any wear like that on the edges after 40 years.

 

[middlecalf]

Almost looks like chemical damage of some sort along that seam.

 

[Waterboy]

I’ve wiped down once with conditioner. Nothing else.

 

[tls3601]

I was considering SOR as they offer the seat covers in the period correct dark grey for years ‘76-78, light grey came along ‘79 and later. Everyone sells the light grey. This post has me re-thinking that. Probably some Chinese junk like everything else here in US. Shame on SOR, they charge more than anyone and then deliver this sub par quality? Let us know how it plays out

 

[SteveH]

I hate to agree with SOR, but it does look like external abrasion - but this happened in 8 months? That's nuts. Is this a daily driver? I have installed SOR covers in several trucks and the fit and tailoring is excellent, but I haven't driven them so extensively to wear them out.

The times I have called SOR with a problem (with one exception), it's always been 'it's your fault, not ours' until I pressed a lot, lot harder for a resolution.

 

[Waterboy]

This is my daily but I can’t imagine paying this much money for covers and they fail this quickly. I was also out of the country for a month and half while my 40 sat covered up.

 

[middlecalf]

Another thought: did you use their foam kit? If not, what did you do to protect the edge of the seat bottom at the top?

 

[Pighead]

This is my daily but I can’t imagine paying this much money for covers and they fail this quickly.

You sound shocked. Is this your first time ordering from SOR?

 

[ar2stp48]

I agree it appears to be from an external abrasion; something from the seat area outward and down across the edge. Note the lower edge of wear shows the top layer pulled up from the backing much more than upper edge. Wear also extends to both left and right of the current exposed backing; badly scuffed No wear on the binding; it should show as much or more wear if abrasion is from you sliding out of the seat Looks like a very thin material to show this much wear in only months

Original seat covering in my '72 has some splits and wear but does not show this much wear in the corner area.. I likely do slide out of the seat and always in jeans

 

[Waterboy]

Another thought: did you use their foam kit? If not, what did you do to protect the edge of the seat bottom at the top?

SOR seat cover and their foam kit installed by a professional automotive interior installer.

 

[Waterboy]

I agree it appears to be from an external abrasion; something from the seat area outward and down across the edge. Note the lower edge of wear shows the top layer pulled up from the backing much more than upper edge. Wear also extends to both left and right of the current exposed backing; badly scuffed No wear on the binding; it should show as much or more wear if abrasion is from you sliding out of the seat Looks like a very thin material to show this much wear in only months

Original seat covering in my '72 has some splits and wear but does not show this much wear in the corner area.. I likely do slide out of the seat and always in jeans

I do slide out of my 40. I’m 5’8” and with a 2.5” Old Man Emu lift w/33” tires I slide out. The material is very thin. It’s only getting worse at this point.

 

[B y r o n]

Something definitely got dragged across the seat. Can't tell if this is additional damage or just debris.

 

[MDH33]

I have the same covers. Thanks for posting. I'll watch for premature wear. So far they're holding up. Installed this spring. I would hope they outlast me for what they cost.

 

[Waterboy]

Got a little side tracked when my third member took a poo. I will show updated photos when I start driving it again. SOR has offered to assist with the repair but after paying $600 just for the install I think I’ll pass and get a local to make new ones. Not sure I want the same quality material being used again.

 

[NYIronPig]

i have the same front cover set on my 72, and have had zero issues with them. Good quality IMO, but year expensive with the foam kit. Everything at SOR is expensive, but he has a lot of hard to find bits and pieces.