I have to fix the seat in my 54 F100. The vinyl cover put on in 1977 is OK but the zig-zag springs under the drivers seat are broken and I really sit low when I drive. Horse hair and decomposed foam is falling out also.

So, my question is, what thickness of seat foam do you recommend? Mid-Fifty sells 2", 3", and 5" foam. I know the standard cabs had minimal foam originally and the deluxe cabs had thicker foam (the thickness escapes me now). Plug for Mid-Fifty: I stopped at an auto upholsterer yesterday and showed him Mid-Fifty's prices for foam and he said he couldn't get it for that price!

I don't really care to make it 'original' I just want something that is comfortable, supportive and not too cushy and soft. I would love to have the original herringbone woven vinyl..... but SMS Auto Fabrics charges $125 per yard for that, so I want to find something close.

So what thickness have you guys used and do you like it? Thanks!

 

I can tell you from our sales that we sell more than twice as many of the 3" ones as the 2" and 5", and the 2" and 5" ones sell about the same

Also if you end up getting it from us, we are doing $9.99 flat rate shipping starting Saturday

 

I have the request in for fabric samples. Interested in what the tweed actually is. Should be getting my samples any day now........Wonder if tootsie rolls come with free sample swatches?

 

Oh, yes, I plan on getting them from you along with rear fender patches. And I was thinking about getting the 3" foam. Thanks for letting me know about the sales of it. Maybe I should ask for some tweed samples also.

 

Sweet!

They usually put some in all packages, if it was just sent in an envelope though they might not of though

 

Less foam is better, Foam does not give enough support. My back hurts so bad in my 56 bigwindow with the stock customcab seat, and I really think I could drive my panel or my other 56 from here to Europe (if there was a bridge) with the standard cab seats as they have way more support


I prefer the standard cab seats. If you need some springs I can send some to you to repair your seat. I think you'd be happier in the long run.

 

So what are you recommending, 2" or 3"?

I got some extra zigzag "springs" from a junked 56 in the yard I am getting parts from. They are rusty. I am hoping they are not too rusted and weakened. Thanks!

 

on a standard cab seat 2"

 

Abe, you might find those springs at a upholstery shop. I bough some from a place that was going out of business.

 

What about a 56 Custom Cab. I was thinking 5" to make long cruises a little more comfortable.

 

That's what I have now and its terrible, NO SUPPORT, you just sink in, not good for the long drive.

 

Glad this post came up now. I'm in the process of purchasing new foam and it may have just saved me some sorrow & expense. With the 5" foam I was just thinking of the ole rear end.

 

I'll second the motion to use stock-type springs, properly tied, with the padding that goes over them. There are How-To's on Youtube showing the importance of tieing them together. My upholsterer had plenty of springs on hand, replaced all the ones on the driver's side. No discomfort on my 3500-mile TS'13 trip.

 

I looked at my collection of dealer full color catalofs tonight. The 1955 catalog says Custom Cab seats had 5" foam in the seat.

Also, did you know that 55 Custom Cabs had two colors of seat upholstery depending on exterior color of truck? Red for vermilion, blue and black trucks and green for green and yellow trucks. The standard cabs just had the same pattern but only in a gray/brown color. Has anyone seen an original Custom Cab 55 seat? And what color was it?

 

I got my fabric samples from the nice folks at midfifty and the seat cover has been ordered.