Here are pics of the 56 Dealer Catalog. Custom Cab material was different than the Standard Cab and the vinyl boosters and facings were red or Coppertone depending on the truck color.

 

I took my seat to a couple shops to get estimates on recovering. They ranged from $400-$600. Not in the budget right now so I picked up a seat upholstery kit from Midwest Early Ford.


Didn't take any pics of the seat before, and what I ended up with wouldn't win any awards, but it will do till I can get it done right.

 

I would like to chime in. I went a different route and reupholstered my seat for $125 complete with materials. It's not for everyone I admit. But It's really comfortable and hold up well. Take a look at my thread:


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-56-f500.html

 

Figured I’d follow up, as I just finished today …

Ended up going with Cartouche cover kit from Mac’s (Eckler’s).
https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_t...1951-1952.html

Had frame media blasted earlier — some minor spring tweaks with welder and bailing wire plus rattle-can coating. Did buy some additional burlap (~$8) since there wasn’t really enough included to do seat back and bottom (and I elected to add piece to backside of seat back even though it isn’t visible).

Not too shabby if I say so myself! Bonus points: added seat warmers!

Thanks to Cougar54 and others (including LeBaron Bonney online instructional video).

 

Not bad for $180!

 

I was just looking at the kit. I guess yours is the "dark red"?

 

Well done! Good job.

 

No, dark brown (shot indoors in bad lighting with phone).

 

Looks great!! Nice job.

 

That looks like it turned out great. Hope you let us know how it feels/fits after you go for a ride & try it out.

Grant

 

Okay, I get it. Their website didn't show a dark brown because I was looking under 1953 F-100. These are factory colors and Ford didn't offer the dark brown in '53.

It looks great. The kit came with burlap (I know you bought more) and padding? All you needed was the frame/springs?

 

GoldCo, where did you find the seat warmers?

 

Yes. Also includes hog rings and pliers, though I took the advice I read elsewhere and bought some hog ring pliers from Harbor Freight which were much more substantial and only about $10.

 

I was just about to plunk down $75 (or so, if memory serves) for one seat heater from one of the usual F1 online vendors when I decided last minute to check Amazon, where of course I found a better deal (I think I paid $47 for two!). Realized this was a "universal" item and didn't need to be vintage Ford truck specific.

Hopefully this isn't one of those "you get what you pay for" lessons, as the kits looked pretty dang similar (I think there are only a handful of manufacturers).

Guess we'll see once it is installed and wired up!