Seat repair - Foam / Upholstery replacement

I've just been so lazy to go buy more C25 shielding gas for my MIG. I tried to replace it during Hurricane Irma but all the Argon supply was being rationed because of it.

 

Need the bench seat for the girlfriend and dog, otherwise I'd already have swapped.

 

Wonder if the Recaro "racing" seats will last 20 years... my stock bucket seats are now 20 years old. Only the material around the piping on the driver's seat is worn. It all depends upon the usage and the care one gives them.

 

@Matic went you said steamed?? Would that work out . Aim on the same boat i have bucket leather seats driver side is almos done .

 

It will do wonders, especially if the foam is very dense. The foam loses its ability to rebound over the years from direct pressure. I've seen some foam come out 4-5 inches after being steamed.

You can find a good upholstery steamer online for relatively cheap. Remove your covers, get the steam good and hot and slowly go over every inch of the bottom, sides and back.
Also...you can purchase foam in different thicknesses to add to areas for more support if needed. Foam cuts great with an electric carving knife.

Steam it all out and add foam with some contact spray glue and build your seat however you want.

You will be amazed at how much the foam is rejuvenated by steaming it.

 

Or just take it to a trim shop and have them steam them and tell them where you want it reinforced.

 

I think I'll take a stab at this in the spring.

 

Trim shop ??

 

Trim shop= automotive upholstery shop.

 

LOL tnx for the info

 

$160 for my 1997 4Runner Swap. I wanted cloth seats with lumbar support. Little fabbing needed (circled leg), which I took off my stock bucket seats and sold them. After selling my seats this cost me $40 to upgrade and a few hours on a weekend.

 

@ironslippers

How did u do it ? Was it easy

 

Those look good 99super not bad on the cost too

 

Thanks, I think it matches the interior quite nicely and I was going for a "stock" look.

 

Looks great. How did you find seats in the that great of shape? BTW, we have the same interior pdl/pw and all (except you have the seat upgrade).

 

I checked craigslist regularly for wrecked 3rd gen 4runners, and found a scrap place selling the pair for $200 or $225. I negotiated it down upon arriving and seeing they were filthy. I used chemical guys fabric cleaner, a wet vac, and went to work. I can't recall how many buckets of blackish water were dumped from the wet vac, but it was a night and day difference. So long as you think or know the stains are not permanent, do not be afraid of some grime and some elbow grease.

 

How does one remove the seat covers - aren't they stapled on with "hognose" staples? (I would check mine but right now I'm somewhat incapacitated.) I have bucket seats in my TRD.

 

I did the exact same thing, except I only paid $20 for mine because they were 'torn'. It was just a busted seam and I sewed it back up (or tried).

 

Good deal!

It would significantly raise the cost, but they do sell replacement real leather bottoms on ebay for I believe $150. May not be worth it, but I'm OCD and would probably do it since your total cost would still be $170