Bare seat frames? Got pics?

[6t8dart]

I was planning on making some minor mods to my F5R leather seats, but just wanted a quick peek at what the steel frame under the padding looks like. Does anyone have any pics of the seats without foam on them? I would like see the frames before I remove the leather. Thanks in advance.

[John4337]

There are some photos in this thread.

Hope this helps.

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/413801-another-seat-thread.html

John

[6t8dart]

Awesome! Thank you!

[John4337]

You'll need hog ring pliers to reinstall the rings. Use stout needle nose to remove them and if your careful, they can be reused. I took photos to get the folds back the way they were. The foam on the back of the seat is pretty brittle and tears easily, be careful.

What sort of mods are you planning?

John

[6t8dart]

I have plenty of hog rings, i have done upholstery in the past and have the tools.

I am planning to re-contour the back, flatten out the bolsters slightly, straighten the angle of the lower back, and increase the angle of the top 1/3, to closer match the reAr wall angles. I prefer a more upright seating position. I tested sitting in the car against the rear wall and I prefer those angles. I was hoping the seat was exactly like those pics, it is, I'm happy.

[John4337]

Very cool, sounds like you'll do great. I tore them apart on faith and just made it up as I went along.

All the best

John

[6t8dart]

I'll definitely take pictures and document it as I begin work. I have to start by building a wooden buck so I don't bend parts of the frame I don't want to. I'll probably strip one this weekend and get started.

[JIMOCO]

There have been threads about the unfinished materials used for the frame. Some have had rust issues after installation. I painted my frame as best I could before installing. I did not take the leather off and only painted the visible spots. When you have them apart it would be a great time to paint or powder coat.

[edwardb]

I've taken the seats apart for seat heaters several times in the past, and there were many hog rings to deal with. But I'll bet you won't find many hog rings in the newer leather seats from FF. Maybe the vinyl ones are the same way now. I put seat heaters in the leather seats that came with my Anniversary Roadster a month or so ago. I was very surprised (and pleased) to find the covers were held on with plastic channels sewn onto the covers and wire rails on the seat frame. They literally just snap on and off. There are still a handful of hog rings, but not necessary to remove. At least to install the seat heaters.

Pictures and details in my build thread here. Also shows the lower frame, but not any different than what you see when you lift the bottom cushion. I've never had one far enough part to see the back frame. http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18591-EdwardBs-Mk4-8674-20th-Anniversary-Build&p=227108&viewfull=1#post227108