Scored new leather skins for all my seats for measely $250... could anyone point me to a DIY guide?

[Adieu]

Thx.

PS i know the youtube stuff, but what about a writeup? Perhaps with a tools needed list?

 

[Habbibie]

Search YouTube man, they have all the tools listed but if I remember correctly you'll need

A tap puller or a wide flat head screw driver
Phillips screw driver
Small Flat head screw driver
Scissors
Either a 7mm or 8mm socket
A 10mm socket
A 3" & 6" extension
A ratchet, preferably 1/4" drive

Also if you can pull out the seats it'll save you a few hours of work and possibly a backache as well.

Here a video to get you started, they cover the hardest part of the job IMO

 

[Bedrck47]

A write up would put a unnecessary strain on your brain

 

[Flexpedition]

You'll probably want a pair of hog ring pliers. Don't get the $9 cheap pair at Home Depot, those are for chain link fencing and meat processing. You want the style for upholstery that have comfortable handles. Try amazon or ebay. I'd probably avoid the style that has a built in staple gun of sorts. If your seat kit didn't include hog rings, get a bag of 100 or so, half inch.

 

[powerboatr]

tractor supply also has hog ring pliers
fwiw
i just recovered my motorhome driver and passenger seats, they had about 12 hog rings per seat, so i went with the inexpensive pliers, not to bad on hands and they were small enough to get in the tight spaces

 

[Adieu]

I keep hearing something about using steam to get a tight and even fit, anyone know a good instructional video for that?

As to seat removal, the things I got in there ain't the original seats and I've experimented with a couple different configurations (currently running faux "captain chairs" by pulling middle of midrow for accessibility)...: that part is all familiar ground by now

It's the getting it on over the foam properly without screwing anything up that is new territory for me

 

[Extremistno9]

Thx.

PS i know the youtube stuff, but what about a writeup? Perhaps with a tools needed list?

What kind did you get and from where, if I may ask? I see the SeatShop has replacements, but just a bottom (perf for heated/cooled seats) runs $220. Also, does anyone have experience with replacements for heated/cooled seats that very durable? Our 2007 Explorer with regular leather seats and 215K miles, is showing no signs of wear. However, my 2011 Expedition with 66K miles, is showing significant wear (holes are starting to develop in the perf). I prefer not to just put a seat cover on. Thanks!

 

[Adieu]

What kind did you get and from where, if I may ask? I see the SeatShop has replacements, but just a bottom (perf for heated/cooled seats) runs $220. Also, does anyone have experience with replacements for heated/cooled seats that very durable? Our 2007 Explorer with regular leather seats and 215K miles, is showing no signs of wear. However, my 2011 Expedition with 66K miles, is showing significant wear (holes are starting to develop in the perf). I prefer not to just put a seat cover on. Thanks!

Not a "cover" like people put over mangy fabric seats, but actual fitted replacement leather....old comes off, new goes on.

Guy selling it called it a custom order from a local upholstery shop, but I suspect he's confusing it with the intended installers....seems like he paid for them to order the leather, and got vetoed by his pants-wearing wifey too late to get a refund.

By the rather familiar looks of the tags on em, I actually suspect the shop ordered them through official suppliers or Ford themselves (possibly the Lincoln division...cause the rear pockets on the front seats aren't cheapie vinyl like on the stock EB seats I transplanted into my SSV)

 

[Extremistno9]

Very nice deal although that should keep you busy for a little while. I will look around, I was thinking of doing just the driver bottom. The passenger is in decent shape and am thinking using leather conditioner on the other seats will keep them in decent shape longer. Has anyone found an alternative to leather that pereforms the same but lasts longer, not opposed to using some type of synthetic if it will provide a much longer service life. Also, in the same format of a complete tear-off and replace?

 

[Adieu]

Stock expy "leather" is almost entirely vinyl pleather...