DIY Seat Skins

I recently bought new seat covers from Josh Mitsoki (Let me know if I spelled that wrong). I figured I could help out with some basic instructions for anyone wanting to try to install these.

This is for the drivers seat, the passengers seat is very similar, the bottom for the drivers seat has a kinda notch in it for the seat contols that the passangers seat doesn't have.

The only local place I could find hog rings is the tractor supply store, I bought 100 and ran out, had to finish with some old ones.

This is what I started with.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0177.jpg

First, you need some basic tools, a 12mm and 14 mm socket or wrench, a short extension helps, ratchet, some hog rings and pliers, razor blade, dikes, A philips and straight screw driver and some needle nose pliers not pictured.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0178.jpg

Remove the 14mm bolts and nuts holding the seat in.

Unplug any wiring harness's from the seat.

Tip over the seat and cut any zip ties holding the harness to the lower seat cushion.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0179.jpg

Disconnect any clips holding in the lower seat, then remove the 4 12mm bolts and lift out the lower cushion.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0182.jpg


Remove the two screws holding on the hard back of the upper seat. (If you have the hard back)
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0184.jpg

Use the dikes and cut any hog rings holding the seat cover to the frame.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0182.jpg

Pull back the cover and foam to get to the 4 14mm bolts holding on the upper cushion.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0188.jpg

Now the seat cushions are removed from the frame.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0189.jpg

Continued....

Roll off the clip holding the upper cover to the frame.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0190.jpg

If you look up under the upper seat, you can see the plastic holders for the head rest. You need to use needle nose pliers to get them to release.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0191.jpg

This is what they look like when out.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0192.jpg

The seat belt holder is held in by a clip, you need to stretch or cut the old seat to get to it, this clip can be released by a screwdriver. Make sure you put the clip back in before putting on the new cover. It is designed to allow you to push the holder in but not pull it out.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0194.jpg

Seat belt holder and clip removed.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0195.jpg

Pull back the seat skin to access the hog rings holding the cover to the frame, cut them all working your way from the bottom up.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0196.jpg

For the center rings, its easier to cut them from the back where they go around the springs.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0198.jpg

Continued....

Once the cover is off, remove all the rods, they will go in the new skins.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0200.jpg

For the bent rod on the top, its easier to just cut it out with the razor blade.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0202.jpg

For the power seat control, the knob just pops off, then reack up and squeeze the taps holdind on the trim panel to remove.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0203.jpg
Trim panel off.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0204.jpg

Move on to the lower cushion, cutting all the hog rings holding the cover on.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0205.jpg

Roll up the cover and cut all the rings holding on the cover.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0207.jpg

Use the rods from the old seats and install them in the new skins, the shorter rod goes in the front of the seat.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0208.jpg

Use the hog ring pliers and new rings to attach the new skin to the place the old came from.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0209.jpg

Continued...

Your new skins should look similar to this now.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0210.jpg

Pull through the wings and tightly attach them to the springs with hog rings.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0211.jpg
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0212.jpg

Wrap on all the plastic clips, I put a hog tie here to keep the plastic held at a bend.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0213.jpg
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0214.jpg

Use the razor blade to carefully cut a hole for the power seat control.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0215.jpg

The lower cushion is done.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0215.jpg

Its a good idea to add foam anywhere you notice it is badly worn. I didnt have any foam kicking around, so I cut some out of the original cover to add to the troublesome bolster.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0217.jpg

Continued...

Slide in all the rods from the old upper cover into the new skin, the bent one is a bit difficult but will go, you need to cut your own slot into the loop for it.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0218.jpg

Slide the new skin over the top of the seat, attach the new hog rings starting at the top. It is tight but it can be done. Work your way down to the bottom.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0219.jpg

Before ringing the rear of the seat, bolt it back to the frame. If you try to finish the upper seat before attaching to the frame, you wont be able to get to the bolts.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0221.jpg

Put one of the rods through the bottom flap of the upper seat, hog ring it to the bar, pulling tight.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0222.jpg

Use the hog rings to attach the skin to the rear of the seat, just like it was from the factory.

For the back panel, I went right over the old material and stapled it on.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0223.jpg

Attach the rear panel, you are done!!!
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0224.jpg
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0225.jpg

I hope this helps someone out there :)

Wow, those look fantastic, Corey...

The True Black really sets them off, golly gee.

Get 'em some heat and sun, they'll really like that. :)

They look great. Thanks for the write up too. I'll be doing this very soon once mine are finished being made.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CoreyB

The seat belt holder is held in by a clip, you need to stretch or cut the old seat to get to it, this clip can be released by a screwdriver. Make sure you put the clip back in before putting on the new cover. It is designed to allow you to push the holder in but not pull it out.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0194.jpg

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IF you are trying to save the old covers, the seat belt holders should not be removed until the rings are all cut and the covers are peeled back. Then you have full access to the clip. This also avoids risk of damaging the foam. You may want to add something about the passenger seat release lever. I had to cut a hole in the new covers and reused the plastic that was sewn around the opening on the old covers (this was around 2004 though). Did your covers already have this feature?

When I did mine. I did not seperate the seat bottom and the seat back.

I reskinned the seat back then removed the bottom and reskined it.

You don't have to remove the seat back, I just felt it was easier.