USMC1188
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Posts
- 1,905
- Reaction score
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- Location
- SW Ohio
- Ram Year
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- Engine
- Truckless...
I don't know about a lot of you guys, but the driver's seat in my 07 had a HUGE tear in it. Me being only 5'9", sliding in and out of my truck, I wore a hole completely through the seat cover and foam, all the way to the seat frame
I did a little research, and here is what I did:
I purchased a "new" foam padding and seat cover from another forum that was parting out a truck
I then went to Hobby Lobby and bought some 1" foam, spray glue, and a yard of burlap.
What creates the holes is on the seat frame there are welds that have very rough bungs, that with the friction of you climbing in and out, wears through the foam creating the issue.
The first step then was cutting the burlap and gluing it to the bottom of the foam padding, giving the foam a protective layer between it and the seat frame.
I don't have any pics of this, but cover the entire bottom, giving emphasis to the two sides where the foam sits on the frame. (I used 2 layers in the circled areas)
The next step isn't a requirement, but it is definitely nice.
I could have just replaced everything at this point, but I figured that since I had it taken apart, I may as well add some padding.
I used the 1" foam and cut the shapes of the pads on the seat. (You kind of have to wing it, as there is no really easy way to trace them.) I just measured them and cut and trimmed until the were pretty close. I used a utility knife and a hot knife to cut the foam. Then use the spray glue to glue the new foam on top of the foam padding.
From here, I washed the cover, so that it went on clean.
After everything was ready it was time for the tear down. Pay close attention to how all of the clips from the seat cover are attached to the seat frame. I had a lot of trouble getting the front one back on, but eventually managed after fighting with it for a little while.
I have a power seat, so when you do this, make sure to get the correct seat cover for a manual or power seat when you purchase your parts. To get the cover off, you need to remove the covers for the controls, and the handle on the seat adjuster.
After I got the original cover and foam off, I took a hammer and a file to the welds on the seat frame and smoothed them out a little bit.
Instead of fighting with stuffing the new foam and cover back under the back of the seat, I popped the back loose and got it out of the way. It takes a Torx bit on both sides. Once the bolts are loose, just pull up on the back and it will fall back.
Make sure that before you put the clips back on the seat cover, to put the Torx bolts back in the seat back.
After that, it is all put back together the way it came. I was able to do it all myself, it is a pain, but manageable. You may need to stretch and pull on the cover to get it to sit right so you can clip everything back together.
My finished product DOES NOT look factory. The 1" extra foam definitely shows, but I purchased enough foam and burlap (1 yard will do both sides) to do both of my front seats, it will even out. It rides incredibly! It feels like I am rolling down the road in a 3/4 ton, 8,000 lb, diesel Rolls Royce!
I did a little research, and here is what I did:
I purchased a "new" foam padding and seat cover from another forum that was parting out a truck
I then went to Hobby Lobby and bought some 1" foam, spray glue, and a yard of burlap.
What creates the holes is on the seat frame there are welds that have very rough bungs, that with the friction of you climbing in and out, wears through the foam creating the issue.
The first step then was cutting the burlap and gluing it to the bottom of the foam padding, giving the foam a protective layer between it and the seat frame.
I don't have any pics of this, but cover the entire bottom, giving emphasis to the two sides where the foam sits on the frame. (I used 2 layers in the circled areas)
The next step isn't a requirement, but it is definitely nice.
I could have just replaced everything at this point, but I figured that since I had it taken apart, I may as well add some padding.
I used the 1" foam and cut the shapes of the pads on the seat. (You kind of have to wing it, as there is no really easy way to trace them.) I just measured them and cut and trimmed until the were pretty close. I used a utility knife and a hot knife to cut the foam. Then use the spray glue to glue the new foam on top of the foam padding.
From here, I washed the cover, so that it went on clean.
After everything was ready it was time for the tear down. Pay close attention to how all of the clips from the seat cover are attached to the seat frame. I had a lot of trouble getting the front one back on, but eventually managed after fighting with it for a little while.
I have a power seat, so when you do this, make sure to get the correct seat cover for a manual or power seat when you purchase your parts. To get the cover off, you need to remove the covers for the controls, and the handle on the seat adjuster.
After I got the original cover and foam off, I took a hammer and a file to the welds on the seat frame and smoothed them out a little bit.
Instead of fighting with stuffing the new foam and cover back under the back of the seat, I popped the back loose and got it out of the way. It takes a Torx bit on both sides. Once the bolts are loose, just pull up on the back and it will fall back.
Make sure that before you put the clips back on the seat cover, to put the Torx bolts back in the seat back.
After that, it is all put back together the way it came. I was able to do it all myself, it is a pain, but manageable. You may need to stretch and pull on the cover to get it to sit right so you can clip everything back together.
My finished product DOES NOT look factory. The 1" extra foam definitely shows, but I purchased enough foam and burlap (1 yard will do both sides) to do both of my front seats, it will even out. It rides incredibly! It feels like I am rolling down the road in a 3/4 ton, 8,000 lb, diesel Rolls Royce!