The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Seats covered and installed

The seats were finally covered and installed today and I'm quite pleased. Rusty, my upholstery guy, is shown sewing up the new covers using material obtained from SMS Auto Fabric. I ordered 3 yards of fabric and as you can see from the photos it was just enough. Seat Upholstery

Don

The upholstery looks very nice, Don.

It also looks like the seats have firm padding. I wish I knew an upholsterer who would take an interest in doing an old seat properly.

Don, thats a nice, slick looking job. Smooooth. I sure wish I was that far along! Your have yourself one nice looking truck.

Hey guys, thanks. Although the seats do have firm padding they are still old wound spring supported seats, and I was surprised when I climbed in and sat down sinking further than I expected rather abruptly. While original may be a good thing this is one area where I may revisit. While driving home, after sitting on the "new" seat, I was wondering what it would take to redo them to at least make them as firm and comfortable as those in my F250.

All of the foregoing being said my guy did do a nice job working with what he had and trying to maintain the originality.

Don

Wow they look great... I too wish I knew an upholstery guy to make me some nice ones...

Way to go Don... lookin' good!

~Trev

Does SMS have a website? I posted recently about covering my seats with a kit but I have a really good upholsterer local if I can find the right material to match my 51 GMC, it is a very dark brownish black. He had tried to find a match but wasn't able to.

Tex,

Here is the link to SMS Auto Fabrics . They will send you a sample upon request.

Good luck,

Don

Don ,
Just tossin out an idea here ...what abought addin xtra support under the bottom of the seat say 1/4 X 1" bar stock ?....like slats under a box spring on a bed in the house ???? cant hurt to try ...that may Eleviate your SINKING feeling .
Tim

Tim,

I've got that sinking feeling.... You probably realize that the coiled springs are mounted on a solid stamped and stout metal support already which would have the same effect as using slats as you mentioned. Perhaps I need a Butt # seat, you know, just find your number and let the compressor do the rest.

Honestly, I was wondering if a foam place would sculpt some memory foam to the correct shape. Has anyone ever tried this?

The springs in my seats actually looked pretty good for old springs, but I was surprised at how quickly I sunk. Just like an old cheap bed, even had the skreek, skreek, sprong, ding, sounds. :whistle:

Don

I honestly think that the seat spring give was engineered as part of the suspension in these trucks for the purpose of passenger comfort. With new stock leaf springs all around in my truck, I am glad for the give in the seat springs, otherwise the ride would be a lot more jarring.

Don:
I am in the process of measuring seats to find one that will fit my truck. I have become spoiled to a middle armrest and am looking for a bench seat with one that is the correct width.
My father-in-law is in the boat upholstery business and from what I have witnessed over the years is how much a foam sheet will improve the firmness of a spring seat. I would believe an inch and a half of high density foam would correct the softness of your seat. You would, however need to rip out those pretty seams to install it.

Don,
On a previous ride I wire tied the springs to each other and it "tightened" up the way the seat felt. You don't have to upset you new upholstery, just flip seat upside down and start tying off. It may not work to your liking but may work. As always have followed your process and your truck looks great!
Dan

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess before I do anything I'll see if my butt will get accustomed to the ride; sorta like riding a Harley or horse - it takes getting used to.

Don

The Harley i understand very well the horse not so sure . Don you have a nice looking seat and from what i can see of the inside cab a nice looking truck. That cross between the orginal and a newer seat is interesting sound worth looking into. Earl

Thanks Earl. After yesterday's 50 mile ride I found the seat bottom bearable but noticed that lumbar support was a foreign word back in the early 40's. The way the seat back is constructed it practically forces you to drive in that slouching posture your grandmother tried so hard to correct. I guess I'll have to carry one of those granny pillows with me for the lower back.

Don

Am I dumber than a rock? Take another look at the seat installation and tell me that the seat bottom is incorrect. . I think my ace upholstery guy got the seat base backwards in relation to the springs. Take a look and let me know, although I more than likely will be taking it all apart tomorrow.

I've been told that these projects never truly end and now I'm rapidly becoming a believer.

Don

Is THAT the finished installation!?

It's hard to believe a pro would do that.

I'll be cruising up his way this morning to have a chat Alan. Hard to believe after all of this time I let that one slip by me, but today's another day with the punch list. I'm pretty embarrassed to actually have driven the truck with the seat installed arse backwards.

Don

Looks to me like the bottom needs to go back ... and the back needs to go up.

Well, I'm feeling somewhat vindicated and not quite as dumb as a rock. The PO apparently installed a seat bottom out of something other than the '41 - '46 vintage pick-up. Ain't know way is it going to fit no matter which direction I install it. The seat bottom is rectangular in shape and the seat fixed foundation is more like a isosceles trapezoid.

I just received confirmation from Zipper that the seat bottom depicted here is incorrect for my application. This is what I inherited from the previous owner 17 years ago and had always assumed it was original due to the remnants of Boatswain Blue paint on it. Dang if I remember what it looked like installed 12 years ago when I removed it and stored it in the attic.

One of the more difficult aspects of this restoration is sometimes not knowing what is correct and not. I'm not fortunate enough to have several parts trucks sitting around to compare with although I suppose my wife would not agree with that assessment. Fortunately for me there is this wonderful web site called Stovebolt.com which is populated by friendly helpful folks.

Looks like its back to the drawing board for the seat bottom. :confused_smile:

Don

So ... what's the plan, Don?

Are you going all original? In that case, you'll have to find the correct seat bottom.

Are you customizing? In that case you can just fabricate whatever you need.

Trying to keep it as original as possible so am in search of a seat bottom. Really not going back to the drawing board... more like back to the bank! It never crossed my mind that the seat bottom wasn't original until it was "re-set" and looked just plain ugly -- not implying that these seats were ever very attractive to begin with. The set up I've got now, while functional, just won't cut the mustard considering how far I've taken this project.

When I say original I'm not referring to "points" original as it was never my intent to show the truck anyway and just can't get too worked up about everything being exact. The seat is obviously something very visible so I would like it to look correct in the way it fits, and even perhaps feel somewhat comfortable.

Everything will work out eventually, just a bit more time and money.

Don

And so it goes, eh? Typical routine with restorations ... original or custom.

Once you get the correct seat bottom, will the seats you had made work (I hope)?