72 bench seat rebuild?

[wrwelton]

I have an original bench seat to rebuild for my 72 C-20 4x4 pickup, Truck is hugger orange and I would like the original seat put back in. It was black. I have been pricing from LMC. The new foam and vinyl and the cost is rather expensive, even if i do it my self. Any ideas?

[flatfoot77]

You could get the seat cover from LMC which would proberley be OK but don't buy the foam from them, I bought my 71 already restored and I got a packet of reciepts with it and alot of the parts came from LMC well the foam in the seat was really bad i found a company called American Cushion Ind. and they own the machine that GM used to make the foam when these trucks were new, my upholsitry guy ordered the foam from them and now my seat is like it was when the truck was built.
www.americancushionind.net go to their web site and you can contact them they are very good to deal with.

[claytonisbob]

Are those custom seat covers? They look pretty slick.

[CG]

There are several board vendors that sell reproduction seat covers, and some of them even offer them done custom to your liking. Same with the seat foams. Why not help support the board buy purchasing from a board vendor instead of LMC.

[leddzepp]

Take it to a local upholstery shop and let them work their magic. They can rebuild a seat for way less than it will cost you to buy new foam and covers.

[litew8]

Originally Posted by CG

There are several board vendors that sell reproduction seat covers, and some of them even offer them done custom to your liking. Same with the seat foams. Why not help support the board buy purchasing from a board vendor instead of LMC.

I wish there were a spot in which Vendors catered to us.
Example: Post a wanted and vendors reply with links/prices etc..., instead of having to go looking.
If I wanted a seat cover, how would I go about finding which vendor carries them??
I think your suggestion is easier said than done. Wish it wasn't.

[ryans69chevy]

Just make sure you go through a business! I had my seat redone by a guy who does it on the side and he did it good except the drivers side he put too unforgiving of foam in so it doesn't really sink down. It sucks to drive if your over 5' 8". I kept calling him to have him fix it cuz it isn't safe, but he never called me back. He got his money already...

[CG]

Here are two ... Truckseats is a board vendor that sells covers. Look up his name and find his posts, he has sold a ton of seat covers.

PICKMUP is a board vendor that also sells covers and foams. Plus he is extremely knowledgeable about our trucks in all ways.

Ive purchased from both of these fellas with no complaints at all.

[litew8]

Thank you CG. I've sent them both mail asking.

[wrwelton]

Thanks guys for all the advice. This site is great for us beginners. Nothing worse that trying to reinvent the wheel on your own. I reupholstered my 32 ford seat and it came out ok but cushion was too stiff. Think I will let a professional do it this time.

My project so far:http://www.flickr.com/photos/waltsprojects/

[flatfoot77]

The Houndstoot pattern was standard in some model's of that truck

[xludan]

I got my houndstooth cover from classic industries. I had a local upholstery shop repair the foam,refinish the frame, and install the new cover.They only charged me $120 which I thought was pretty good.

Before:

After:

[wrwelton]

Originally Posted by xludan

I got my houndstooth cover from classic industries. I had a local upholstery shop repair the foam,refinish the frame, and install the new cover.They only charged me $120 which I thought was pretty good.

Before:

After:

That was very reasonable and it looks great. I am becoming optimistic. Thanks

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Take it to a local upholstery shop and let them work their magic. They can rebuild a seat for way less than it will cost you to buy new foam and covers.

The upholstery shop charged $350 for foam, custom seat cover, broken springs and installation on another seat i had done. It turned out nice.

[bollybib]

If you are inclined to do your own work you might want to check out my Project thread Posts #211-218

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911

There I relate my recent experience doing this work along with a detailed cost breakdown.

[chuck3026]

Not sure if it holds true in your neck of the woods but here in the DFW area I had a local guy do mine...$100 and it looked brand new...

[chevytruckluver]

Originally Posted by chuck3026

Not sure if it holds true in your neck of the woods but here in the DFW area I had a local guy do mine...$100 and it looked brand new...

I am in DFW area, where did you go to get yours done?

[wrwelton]

Jim, that was a great write up on how to rebuild a bench seat. Thank you. You certainly are thorough. walt

for those interested in jims work on the seat it was view 9 of thread

[72tutone]

Check Athey's for your houndstooth. I reupholstered mine myself and it turned out great. The top has since worked itself out as it has been stretched and sitting now for some time.

[lil hoodlum]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Take it to a local upholstery shop and let them work their magic. They can rebuild a seat for way less than it will cost you to buy new foam and covers.

I agree!

I have to say, the pictures posted on this thread are some very nice benches.

I had mine done professionally also. I paid $350 but it did need some new foam work and the guy is a buddy of mine who has let me use some of his shop space a few times for various projects.

Take your bench and in to a couple of shops and see what they could do for you. I bet there is a local shop that does top quality work.

Keith

[blkcorvair]

My local guy wanted "up to" $600 in labor if plus the foan and cover. I must have had "idiot stampted on my head that day or they really were not interested. Took me 5 hours and two bloody fingers, and Im damn proud to say I saved "up to $600"!

[wrwelton]

Well done!!