Bench Seats, Having them Reupholstered

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by hatzie

the cobblers children go barefoot.

lol! 😆

[TKCR]

USA1 Industries used one of the seats I built for a customer, on their Facebook page. They are featuring the Hinge Garnishes. Kind of cool!!

[Danmcg]

That is cool! Did they ask for your permission first?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Danmcg

That is cool! Did they ask for your permission first?

No, I just saw it this morning. But I had posted that picture when they were featuring the part itself, awhile back. I wanted to show that I used them and they fit perfect. But they didn’t need permission, I’m fine with it.

[Bloodhound]

Amazing work.

[Hammered 77]

TK, nice work! What is the difference between the 73-80 and the 81-87 seat frames?

Rick

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Hammered 77

TK, nice work! What is the difference between the 73-80 and the 81-87 seat frames?

Rick

The 73-80 frames are a tad bit longer and about 10lbs heavier. Seat bottom foam is different too, between the 2 seats.
Pic 1, the picture is sideways, but the seat bottom frame is in the center.
Pic 2, if the seat tilts, they have a release before the seat will tilt.
Pic 3, this is the hinge garnish that covers the hinge mechanism. And the seat adjust is on the side of the seat.
Pic 4, is what the frame looks like from underneath.

[TKCR]

Now, for the 81-87 frames:
Pic 1, again the picture is sideways, but the 81-87 frame is lighter and has a grid with springs, that hold it to the frame.
Pic 2, almost all the 81-87 seats tilt. The exceptions are, the Suburban & Crew Cab front seats. They are fixed.
Pic 3, the hinge cover that cover the tilting mechanism. And the adjuster is in the front.
Pic 4, what the frame & grid looks like from underneath, on the 81-87.

[TKCR]

Getting some sandblasting done on the hardware for the seats. Also getting some organizing done. Made up some packets, that contain the hardware for 1 seat. Saves me time, just grab and go!

[nekkidhillbilly]

i never knew 73-80 frames where different. are they longer as in wider?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

i never knew 73-80 frames where different. are they longer as in wider?

About an inch longer. So the seat cover has to be correct for the year. A lot of people have made that mistake.
Also the tracks have to match the the seat frame. But they will all bolt up to the cab floors, 73-87.

[Pontiac1976]

The 73-80 bottom (firmer) is thicker I be leave then the 81-87 (not as firm bottom as 73-80) or is that just the spring that do that mostly.
TKCR You Really got Good at doing the seats great detail, Your growing knowledge of the differences in these seats great. Keep up the good work I know so many will miss you when give it up.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Pontiac1976

The 73-80 bottom (firmer) is thicker I be leave then the 81-87 (not as firm bottom as 73-80) or is that just the spring that do that mostly.
TKCR You Really got Good at doing the seats great detail, Your growing knowledge of the differences in these seats great. Keep up the good work I know so many will miss you when give it up.

The 73-80 seat bottom foam is different than the 81-87. It’s made slightly different. I have never thought to measure the thickness, but I could just to see. The springs are definitely what make the 73-80 feel more firm. The “grid & springs” on the 81-87 tends to get stretched over 40 years of being sat on. That is why I replace a lot of those springs, that are stretched or broken. I also have the availability to replace the “grid” if needed. But replacing the springs will tighten the grid back up.
The 3 photos show how loose the grid can be when the springs are missing or broken. The 4th photo is of the 73-80 seat springs. The end spring, which is circled, is usually the only spring that breaks. That is easily replaced.
Last photo is a pic of a new grid for the 81-87 seat.
I don’t plan on giving this up anytime soon. I really enjoy what I’m doing and giving people what they deserve, when replacing their bench seats, and that’s the best quality restored seat.

[TKCR]

Spent some time getting some Hinge Garnishes & Seatbelt Bezels ready.

[TKCR]

Well you win some, and you lose some. THIS is why I don’t JUST cover a seat, like most Upholstery Shops do. Took this seat in as a restoration, but instead, it’s going to the scrap yard. The seat bottom frame is rusted completely thru, and the grid has broken spots also. The seat looks fine, it had been recovered at one time. I am able to use the foam (maybe). The seat back and tracks, will all get sandblasted and repainted. The seat bottom and grid will be put to rest at the local scrap yard. This is the reason why all my seats get stripped down to see what’s hiding.

[Big Chip]

It looks about right if it came out of that truck behind it! Has anyone started reproducing the 70's cloth that's at least close to the original look?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Big Chip

It looks about right if it came out of that truck behind it! Has anyone started reproducing the 70's cloth that's at least close to the original look?

It did come out that truck. I don’t get very many that are that bad, that I have to junk them. Most can be sandblasted & repainted, and they are good as new.

Depends on what 70’s clothe your talking about. Do you have a pic? There is some original fabric that can be gotten from SEM, but it’s god awful expensive.

[Big Chip]

Originally Posted by TKCR

It did come out that truck. I don’t get very many that are that bad, that I have to junk them. Most can be sandblasted & repainted, and they are good as new.

Depends on what 70’s clothe your talking about. Do you have a pic? There is some original fabric that can be gotten from SEM, but it’s god awful expensive.

It's like the red seat a few posts up. Post #407

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Big Chip

It's like the red seat a few posts up. Post #407

That’s one of the ones that is very hard to get, if it’s even still available. If it is, SEM might have it, but it VERY expensive. But as far as repop, no one has so far. A close match but nothing identical.

[TKCR]

Just finished a 77-80 bench seat for someone in Minnesota. This is a fully restored seat. Frame, tracks and hardware are all restored. New Black Velour/Black Vinyl cover.

[hatzie]

That got the window down for years treatment.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by hatzie

That got the window down for years treatment.

Lol, yeah I believe your right.

[57NAPCO]

Catching a flight now outa Portland, ME,

wow, you talk about an empty airport !!

Picture doesn’t do the seat justice but it’s the only one I have. I will tell you this...the quality of the work is superb, I am very happy! Thank you again Tina.

[TKCR]

Just got this 75 Blue GMC bench seat and seatbelts. I’ll be retiring these for someone in Indiana. Using the Fabric and Vinyl, lower left.

[TKCR]

This 81-87 Black Velour Deluxe, is on its way to Maryland.