Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Good news is that I am starting to look at my seats ('69, stock with built in headrest) and thinking of putting them back in once the interior is complete. The bad news is that I think that the foam on the seat bottom has rottened with age and perhaps the straps on the bottom need to be replace too. The straps seems like something that any upholstery shop could do. However, I would think that replacing the foam would require access to the OEM part? Or is this something any auto upholstery shop can handle. I couldn't find replacement foam from the usual set of Roadster suppliers.

I am in the SFO bay area (actually Moraga), so if there are anybody with local recommendations, that would be nice.

Thanks

Mark

Any good shop should be able to replace the foam.


They cut and form foam from sheets and blocks.

Phil

I use Top Notch upholstry in San Jose for all my work. Tony does good work for a reasonable price. Been using him for over 15 years. He did my roadster and fully rebuilt the seats with new strapping and foam.

Mark

Great, I go down to San Jose all the time. Will disassemble the seats this weekend and drop them off when I am down in the valley.

Mark

Or you can get some reproduction seat covers from vendors and buy foam pieces in any density from a foam shop. You can carve it with an electric knife.

Linda

My seat covers are in perfect condition (I was fortunate to find two seats that had been recovered back in 1994....) Unfortunately, I feel like I am sitting on the floor when I sit on them (and no, I am not that heavy....)

Mark

markjhatch wrote:Good news is that I am starting to look at my seats ('69, stock with built in headrest) and thinking of putting them back in once the interior is complete. The bad news is that I think that the foam on the seat bottom has rottened with age and perhaps the straps on the bottom need to be replace too. The straps seems like something that any upholstery shop could do. However, I would think that replacing the foam would require access to the OEM part? Or is this something any auto upholstery shop can handle. I couldn't find replacement foam from the usual set of Roadster suppliers.

I am in the SFO bay area (actually Moraga), so if there are anybody with local recommendations, that would be nice.

Thanks

Mark

If you discover that the foam itself is still ok, you can tighten the straps by unhooking them, unbending the metal that secures the metal plate that creates the "loop", and punching new holes (assuming the straps are still intact and stretchable). Reverse the process to create the loop and re-attach. Just did this on mine, much better. I also put some new cloth material between the foam and the straps, as the burlap bag stuff was coming apart. I used an old sheet and just cut out a panel.

I'm cheap! Seats are great however and I have more money for jets!

Depending on how badly degraded the foam is, you can glue it to a block of new foam about 1" think (new foam on bottom) and tighten the seat straps.

No carving and a nice comfortable seat. Worked well for me on 69 seats.

I also laid and glued a piece of leather from an old sofa over the foam before putting the seat cover on to try and stem future wear...not sure how it's working...

markjhatch wrote:My seat covers are in perfect condition (I was fortunate to find two seats that had been recovered back in 1994....) Unfortunately, I feel like I am sitting on the floor when I sit on them (and no, I am not that heavy....)

Mark

That sounds like you just need new webbing......

fj20spl311 wrote:

markjhatch wrote:My seat covers are in perfect condition (I was fortunate to find two seats that had been recovered back in 1994....) Unfortunately, I feel like I am sitting on the floor when I sit on them (and no, I am not that heavy....)

Mark

That sounds like you just need new webbing......

Ditto on that. New webbing = new life for these Datsun Seats. They will feel like new. I did mine and it is an amazing change. I did not change or even look at my foam.

Solex68 wrote: Ditto on that. New webbing = new life for these Datsun Seats. They will feel like new. I did mine and it is an amazing change. I did not change or even look at my foam.

I did the straps on the 66, huge difference, but the foam was shot. Just quickly cut a piece of 1.5" foam and put it in at Watkins Glen, worlds better. still need to trim and shape it, but the 250 miles home was easier.

dbrick wrote:

Solex68 wrote: Ditto on that. New webbing = new life for these Datsun Seats. They will feel like new. I did mine and it is an amazing change. I did not change or even look at my foam.

I did the straps on the 66, huge difference, but the foam was shot. Just quickly cut a piece of 1.5" foam and put it in at Watkins Glen, worlds better. still need to trim and shape it, but the 250 miles home was easier.

That's good to know. I have some fresh skin to put on my seats and I will assess the foam at that time. 1.5 inch....ok. Cool. Thanks for the info.

If I could buy it ready made, I would, or other option, find or borrow a set of good seat foam, get the measurements and make some. The memory foam you can get now would make a nice thin pad with good support. I'm surprised someone doesn't repro it. Lots of new seat upholstery being sold and put over crap foam

Hey Dave, I put that piece of foam under my seat for the ride home and what a difference it made. Time to tighten the straps.

Should be picking up my seats from Top Notch tomorrow. New foam and webbing @ $125/seat. Given what I paid for seat belts restoration, this looks like a real deal...

Will let you know how they look.

Mark