Driver's Seat Rehab

[bmerr98]

Original Poster: bmerr98

Difficulty: 2 out of 10

Time to install: I took about 2 hours start to finish, including sporadically entertaining my 9 year old...

Disclaimer: The Ranger Station.com, The Ranger Station.com Staff, nor the original poster are responsible for you doing this modification to your vehicle. By doing this modification and following this how-to you, the installer, take full responsibility if anything is damaged or messed up. If you have questions, feel free to PM the original poster or ask in the appropriate section of The Ranger Station.com forums.

Brief Explanation: My 1998 Ranger has leather seats and center console from a 2000 Explorer Sport. Not sure how long since the swap was done, but there are 232,000+ miles on the odometer, and the last almost 100K have been with my big behind in the driver's seat. I'm 6'4" and way closer to 300 lbs than I ought to be, so my driver's seat has a full plate you might say.

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The leather could use a better patch, but what's been bothering me lately is the wire framework that holds the bottom seat cushion and the majority of my weight. I've got a couple of broken wires down there, and tried to nail it back together some, but I decided to try and just make a new, beefier one to take its place.

Tools Needed: There will be some variation based on materials, but I used...

-Phillips screwdriver
-15mm socket
-10mm socket
-appropriate drive ratchet
-various pliers
-Vise Grips (for installing seat springs)
-file
-tape measure
-scrap 2x4 - 2 ft long should be plenty
-4 nails
-hammer

Parts Needed: Again, some variation is a given. I just used what I had around the house.

-4 wire hangers (Mommy Dearest, anyone...?)
-scrap piece of carpet
-1 ft piece of garden hose
-2 ft of heavier round stock. I had what I think were some old seat back springs.

Step 1. Remove seat by removing 4 15 mm bolts and detach the seat rail from the bottom of the seat by removing the 4 10 mm bolts. My pics would not load, but I'm going to guess you all can figure this part out. As a side note, slotting the rear holes is the only mod needed to put 2000 Explorer seats in a 1998 Ranger Super Cab.

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Step 2. Raise the seat cushion and see the carnage from years of holding your butt up.

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Step 3. Measure your net. Mine was 11.25" square.

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Step 4. Remove old net.

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Step 5. Make a jig so all your wires are bent to the same length.

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Step 6. Run your wires through whatever hose you use. Poke holes approx 1" apart to accommodate the number of wires. I had 11.

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Step 7. Mark the end pieces and file a small notch in it at 1" intervals to keep the new wires from slipping out of place.

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Step 8. Crimp your thicker end wires into the wire end hooks formed in the jig. Finished product should look something like this.

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Step 9. Re-install your new net.

Step 10. To prevent the wires from continuing to cut into the bottom of the seat cushion, I put a piece of scrap carpet between them.

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Step 11. Reassemble your seat and re-install it in your truck. Enjoy sitting up like a big boy in your Ranger again!