Seat Upholstery(before and after)

[Leonard124]

So this was my winter project which turned out to be twice as expensive as originally thought and taking 3 times the time originally planned.
I have replaced a soft top, but seat upholstery is a different ball game.

When I removed the old upholstery, I discovered cracked seat frames and worn out foam.

I replaced the driver's bottom seat foam and fixed the passenger seat frame. I had to replace the driver's seat frame as it was too far gone.

The hard part was pulling everything tight so that the seat has shape. the previous owner just installed the upholstery without pulling back the material and that is why the seat back looks flat in the before picture.

I just hope they wil last a long time as I do not want to do that again.

[donm]

You're right about how hard it is to pull everything tight although yours looks good. Where did you get the upholstery? I got mine from Vicks and it seemed a bit too big, even with new foam cushions. I had to make some adjustments which I don't think should have been necessary for a custom designed kit. I still have some wrinkles along the seat bolsters which I have to deal with.

[Leonard124]

I got them from Autoberry.
I really wanted them from World Upholstery, but their shade of tan was quite different than mine.

Autoberry matched the best under direct sunlight, but was not very impressed with their stitching.
Anyway hopes it holds up!

[Holshot]

Wow, I'm in the same boat as you and was on the fence with who to go with... I was ready to pull the trigger on the World set but then came across a pic of the insides and how Autoberry double stitch the rows with extra foam. I fired off a few emails to World but haven't received word back. If anyone reading knows what Worlds' insides like like I would love to know. I'll include a pic of what I'm talking about with the Autoberry. I'm disappointed to hear your troubles with the Autoberry as I've heard they are very nice and good fitting.

Please don't take this the wrong way and not at all an insult on your abilities as an installer but could this be installer error for not getting a nice tight fit? If there are pics that you can show with the stitching you were unhappy with I would greatly appreciate it! Again I was on the fence on who to go with and would like to make the best decision with all the information possible. The world kit is actually cheaper but only by 50 bucks or so and not a make or break but ultimately I want the best fitting and quality product.

Thanks!

[Holshot]

Here are the pics I was referring to with the Autoberry kit and how the ribs are double stitched with form... Can't get a straight answer as to if the World kits are the same?

[Leonard124]

If I am not mistaken, all seat cover sets come with the foam sewn in the center section.
This is where I was having trouble with the stitching, some stitching was loose and Autoberry actually used some glue in some areas on the backside to keep it from unstitching.

When viewing samples, the material from World Uph was smoother and more stretchy and less like plastic compared to Autoberry, but their shade was quite different than the original. This was an issue for me as I was only replacing the front seats.

This was my first attempt at upholstering and I am sure a professional installer would have done a much better job.
That being said, the panel that came up the best was the driver's seat bottom, and this was where I replaced the seat foam. It was a real bear to install. I am sure it would have been a tighter fit if all the foam would have been replaced.

Good luck

[Holshot]

Thanks Leo! I really appreciate your input and I think I'm just going to pull the trigger on the World set on Monday and the AR door cards... Hopefully they will match. I'm sure they use different vinyl so my biggest fear is the shade and pattern will not match. John Erskine recommended the World stuff highly and I think they will work out fine. I really wanted to go the leather route but they quoted me $1,300 for the covers, YIKES! Seemed a little excessive but that's just my opinion. If they would have been 7/800 I would have pulled the trigger but 1,300 was a bit much just for covers. Thanks again I really appreciate the feedback!

[80spiddy]

I bought World's and was a bit dissatisfied with their stich alignment from top and bottom pieces. The width of their sewing does not measure the same and is off.

[4uall]

I think you did a great job I do not have the skill set or patience so I got an upholstery shop do mine. Maybe I will try the door cards myself