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Reupholstering my early CJ5, Need seat foams

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by honeywells41, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. Dec 21, 2014
    honeywells41

    honeywells41 Member

    Auburn, Washington
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    I have new upholstery for my 1970 CJ5 Renegade1 & I want to replace the seat foams at the same time. I have been searching the net & looking at the forums for sources or to see what others have done. so far no luck. Recommendations?
     
  2. Dec 21, 2014
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    If you not taking it to a upholstery shop . then look online for foam suppliers . and cut and shape the foam with a electric carving knife . hint: spray blade with silicone spray or it won't cut right
     
  3. Dec 22, 2014
    honeywells41

    honeywells41 Member

    Auburn, Washington
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    I wonder if I could contact Rugged Ridge or one of the other manufacturers that are currently making replacement seats?
     
  4. Dec 22, 2014
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    I'd just visit a local seat upholstering shop. That's what I plan to do when the day comes.
     
  5. Dec 22, 2014
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    :iagree:

    We went to a foam supply place, they recommended the firmest stuff they had so that's what we bought.

    H.
     
  6. Dec 22, 2014
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    I made my rear seat with matrass foam heavy density, it is perfect and cheap. Easy to cut with a good blade, just cut slowly.
     
  7. Dec 23, 2014
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Know the difference between "closed-cell" and "open-cell" foams.

    Open-cell will crush down to nothing.
    Closed-cell can feel like sitting on a board.

    Closed-cell over a sprung base might give a good compromise.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2014
  8. Dec 23, 2014
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    In our case there are springs-

    [​IMG]


    The best foam to use would be temperfoam but it's $$$.

    H.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2014
  9. Dec 27, 2014
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Man, that looks great Howard! When I get to that stage I doubt I'll be too concerned about the cost of a few sq. feet of foam. I'll buy the best I can get for the application!
     
  10. Dec 27, 2014
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    If your reupholstering your seats..........Now is a good time to install Seat Heaters........normally under a $100 bucks for two seats and your butt and back will love them!
     
  11. Dec 28, 2014
    honeywells41

    honeywells41 Member

    Auburn, Washington
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    Great suggestion Tarry99! I am still watching this string for more ideas. I have made contact with a local foam & upholstery shop. He suggested bringing my foams in so he could make replacements. It just seems that if Smitty Built, Best Top & others can make the seats then someone is making the foams.
     
  12. Dec 28, 2014
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Bert,

    I don't think those guys are building seats here..........I think all that stuff comes in as components and they just assemble.........

    If your going just back to a Stock looking seat and want some firmer foam , A good upholstery person with a hot knife and the foam can in minutes re-shape your seats to anything you want.

    Look at these which were 70's style low back CJ seats and frames that I stuck in my old 65 CJ years ago after taking out the 60/40 seat. According to my upholstery guy who is also a member here says that foam is important but the suspension under them like springs, coils is much more important for a better ride.


    These went from this:

    [​IMG]

    To This:.......These were re-done early this year , he added a firmer foam to the edges to create a more form fitting seat and changed the pattern to something more modern. These also have Seat Heaters in them.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Dec 29, 2014
    stich

    stich New Member

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    Anything is possible, right Terry

    from this:
    [​IMG]


    to this:

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Dec 29, 2014
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Hi Stich.........glad you chimed in! For all you Jeepers out there that have never met "Jack" aka Stich or "old guy with a flatty" , this guy who is in the upholstery business in Northern California can turn garbage into a work of art......or anything in between.............not only very talented he is a Great Guy!
     
  15. Dec 29, 2014
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    Beautiful work. Just need to know the right guy.
     
  16. Feb 28, 2016
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Was the bottom on these era seats open like this? My 58 has had a metal bottom added to it, which happens to have been homemade. I can tell because of the ruff edge of the metal where it was cut with snips.
     
  17. Feb 28, 2016
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Yep, Stock spring suspension just like the picture..........Jack aka Stitch says that working with the old suspension is much better than using just the memory foam as is now the current method most aftermarket seats employ!

    The rationale is that back in the day when there was really no good riding car suspensions, the seat suspension did an important job to calm the ride down and add passenger comfort........fast forward 5 decades and now car suspension systems are allot more advanced in both ride and handling and thus no longer require as much seat suspension to add comfort.

    In a Jeep I would guess that most would need a good seat suspension.
     
  18. Mar 5, 2016
    Wenaha

    Wenaha Member

    West Coast
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    You might check with Mona at New Life Canvas. She supplied me with a complete kit to recover my 2A stock seats. And Made them from some medium weight tan, waxed canvas that I sent her. SHe was easy to deal with and delivered on time.
     
  19. Mar 11, 2016
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I've taken my seats to several places for quotes and I'm getting a huge range. For the 2 front seats and a rear, which is actually a drivers seat out of a Willys wagon, I've gotten $650, $800 and $1100. All using marine grade vinal and 1 inch high density foam over pad over burlap. Seems like a big spread. What numbers have others had?
     
  20. Mar 11, 2016
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    $250-300 per seat is pretty average for a good job. But, It really depends on the fabric , design , stitching and how much rebuilding is necessary to your frames.
     
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