how do I (safely) separate the upper bucket (backrest portion) from the bottom (seat)?

hi all. Going to chuck my orig. 60/40 front seat in favor of some (free!) bucket seats b/c I can afford to buy seat covers for the buckets! Craigslist 'free' find-they're from a 97 4Runner and they are some of the _filthiest_ seats I've ever encountered. Yes, I'm going to get covers for them. Soon. Just not right now.
So I ask how to separate the upper from the lower b/c one of my former neighbors bought a Tacoma from some friends of mine - those seats were nasty and when the neighbor failed to get them satisfactorily clean himself he called some friends of his who do upholstery.....they came over, separated top from bottoms, removed the original upholstery (seat covers) and power-washed them at the car wash- with outstanding results. Unfortunately I don't have his current phone # and now live 1 1/2 hrs away so can't find answers there.
Looking at the seats I can see how they come apart but those _thick_ stout-looking coiled springs scare me. I already have a crippled useless finger and can't risk mangling another (or injuring an eye) trying to put the seats back together.
I did do a site search but didn't come up with much; one post (I think by keaker) that didnt seem to reflect my situation. Thanks in advance for reading and any advice/tips.

 

Try this. Not our forum but more insightful to dismantling

 

Thanks JaCado for the link.


...I tried to resist but I just gotta ask: is a "water janitor" the same or similar to a "pool guy" ?