NEED HELP with removing seat covers

[Airmaster]

I NEED HELP!!

I've started taking off the seat covers, I got the backrests pretty easily but the bottom parts are a pain.

HOW THE HELL DO YOU GET THE BOTTOM FABRIC TO COME OFF THE METAL SEAT BOTTOM?!?!?

I've gotten all those sharp clips out already(the ones that hold the seams). All that's left is the bottom corner, HELP PLEASE!

I need to finish this before 7 o clock, anyone who is on here please, PLEASE, give me advice, a tip, or just tell me how in the world it is supposed to come off, thanks.

BTW, it's a 2006 B3000, it that helps with clarification.

 

[Airmaster]

Somebody please

 

[adsm08]

where exactly is it stuck (photos would be helpful)

 

[Airmaster]

I got the passenger one off, i had to remove 4 bolts from the metal bottom but i have no idea how to take off the "60" seat, with the middle one.

H/O I'll get some pics, ASAP, give me a sec.

 

[Airmaster]

After getting the passenger bottom off..

Troublesome clip that i at first had trouble with...

Clips that hold the seams, annoying as hell...

The 60 seat which i do not know how to get off...

back of the 60 seat

I am gonna start simply cleaning my interior, I may not remove the 60 bottom, it seams like an even greater job full of cussing and anger, I may just use spray and wash and try drying it with a blow dryer....

 

[adsm08]

well for starters, its probably about 400% easier if you take the seats out of the truck. 5 bolts and 1 connector and they come out (except power seats, 2 connectors on power)

As for the bottom cover, there are just 3 more of those clips under the center part.

and 1 10 mm bolt by the back rest.

These picks are of 88 seats, but they should be pretty much the same as yours.

 

[kunar]

youre doing this in the truck?!? pull out the seats and it should be pretty straight forward.

 

[Airmaster]

WOW, I was under the impression that it would be harder, but yeah, I've already ran out of daylight so first thing tomorrow morning I will take the seats out, THEN remove the fabric covering.

Since I'm an aircraft mechanic I'm so used to working in really tight confines and not being able to just take out large equipment, I shoulda stood back for a second and realized how simple this could be by taking them out first.

I always seem to make things harder than they are...

BTW, are those sharp clip things holding the seams supposed to be so hard to get undone, they look like they are going to be a pain to put back on.....

Final question. Since I'm going through all this trouble do you think I should consider aftermarket seat covers. Maybe get some nice leather or better cloth. Are they any good or is this factory cloth best after it's washed and cleaned?

Thanks for the help...

 

[Hopman]

If you're going through the trouble to pull the covers off (and if you've got the money) go for the upgraded upholstry. Maybe do some custom stiching, like a "Ranger" or "Ford" logo in the head rests.

If you were in a cold climate, I'd also think about putting in an aftermarket seat heater, but since you're in sunny Miami, don't bother. Cold for you guys is, what, 60?

 

[adsm08]

Well those hog rings are supposed to be cut and replaced if you ever have to take the foam cushions off the frame. And there is a special tool to install them.

I guess the big question is: What exactly are you trying to do here?

 

[Ronv]

Those nasty clips you are talking about are called ,"hog-rings" and a crimper or pliers to install them is not real expensive if you decide to reinstall the new covers using them.

 

[kunar]

when i recovered the seats in my car, i cut the hog rings with some good wire cutters and replaced them with zipties... they make it so you can get each spot loosely tied down before you cinch them tight. i think for a beginner like myself it made things easier. keep in mind you will use a lot of them... i think i had about 70 or 80 in the pair i did. i threw the covers in the washing machine before i reinstalled them, on delicate they held up just fine.

 

[Airmaster]

Well those hog rings are supposed to be cut and replaced if you ever have to take the foam cushions off the frame. And there is a special tool to install them.

I guess the big question is: What exactly are you trying to do here?

I had some nasty stains, including rotted milk stains and quite a few months of solid sweat because i climbed in my truck immediately after all my workouts and never thought of using a towel. The cloth smells horrid and it was beginning to stink up the car. I tried using cleaners but they kept leaving stains and a mess, I finally was through with it and decided to take the cloth off.

During this removal I've found quite a bit of rust including rusted bolts and rusted metal. I understand much of this is normal but I'm still going to take the precaution of using some WD-40 to keep the bolts fresh so that I never have to do this project ever again, lol.

I didn't expect it to be so hard.

Oh and lunar, the zip tie idea sounds great, I'm definitely going to use that. Any other tips you got for me?

Does anyone say the hog clips are better than the zip ties? What tool would i need and how much would it cost?

Anyone have any websites leading to quality aftermarket seat covers? I'll consider it if they really catch my attention.

Oh and one more thing, has anyone washed their floormats in a washer machine with success? I have plenty of stains to get rid of on them too.

Thanks guys again.

 

[Hopman]

I'd look into taking the 'mats to a good upholstry shop. At the very least, the might be able to reccomend any products to clean it yourself.

I had some nasty stains, including rotted milk stains and quite a few months of solid sweat because i climbed in my truck immediately after all my workouts and never thought of using a towel. The cloth smells horrid and it was beginning to stink up the car.

I had a similar issue with a minivan ( a '91 Olds Shilouette) my family used to own. A 1/2 gallon of milk cracked open on the carpet. What FINALLY helped clean it out was some Arm & Hammer baking soda carpet cleaner like you would use for pet stains.

 

[adsm08]

Oh and lunar, the zip tie idea sounds great, I'm definitely going to use that. Any other tips you got for me?

Does anyone say the hog clips are better than the zip ties? What tool would i need and how much would it cost?

I have never tried using the zip ties. Never even thought of it actually. Sounds like it would work ok. Probably be easier for someone who isn't practiced at it because it can be a pain getting those rings in the first couple hundred that you do. If you do decide to go that route, I don't think the pliers are expensive. I actually had my set given to me by a co-worker.

He'd lost them and bought a new pair, then found the old ones while cleaning out his box one day and said I could have them if I wanted.