Hi, I'm new to the forums. There seems to be a lot of knowledge and info here, so thought I'd post to ask for some help.

My son (Brett) just turned 16 and we're fixing up a 1994 Ford F150 4WD for him. He's been really involved in working on it, and the truck is in great condition mechanically and body, just needing some cosmetics. We've painted the wheels, bumpers, etc. and they look new -- can't believe what a difference that made.

The seat is what we're trying to tackle now, as the vinyl is cracked in a few spots. (This truck has one of the full bench seats with the integrated adjustable headrests.) Our options are to purchase new seats (he wants a console in the middle with drinkholder/storage), or to get a nice cover for the seat and one of the consoles that attaches in on the center seatbelt.

We've been looking online quite a bit, as well as searching these forums. He really wants something leather and has money to purchase, but definitely want to stay under $1,000, and the less money, the better.

I found some replacement seats that looked nice for a good price on discountvantruck.com but couldn't find any reviews on them online until Brett found some complaints on a "ripoff" type site. So, purchasing from them is out of the picture, unless some people here have good experience with them?

Our other option (which we're strongly leaning towards, due to not having to remove seat, etc.) is to purchase seat covers for the existing seat and a separate console (like I mentioned above). It seems like the options on the seat covers are pretty infinite, with just as many infinite opportunities to get ripped off by purchasing from a less than reputable company, and the prices for the same items seem to be all over the place.

Can you suggest which option we'd be better off with:

1. purchase new seats and replace existing seat (suggestions?)
2. purchase nice seatcovers and a separate console (suggestions?)

What brands of seats and seatcovers (as well as online sources) are the best for the money? I found one (can't remember which company) recommended on this site, but they don't make the leather seatcovers for a 1994.

Sorry for the long post, but would appreciate any thoughts, advice, etc. He's worked hard for the money that he is using to fix up this truck, and I don't want him to get ripped off!

Thanks so much!!!

Kathy (Brett's mom)

 

First a tip of the hat to you for taking the time in helping your son on the truck. Another option would be to get a seat from the junk yard. Some of the seats in the 92-96 Broncos and full size trucks are pretty nice. I have had good luck on craigslist in finding various items too.
I have a bench seat that I put a "contractors" console on and I change the saddle blanket seat cover as needed. I saw one setup that has the console attached to the front of the seat that would be nice if you don't have a stick shift.
BTW pulling a bench seat isn't that hard (just dirty!) if the truck isn't rusty.
regards
rikard

 

Thanks so much!! We'd thought about doing the junk yard thing, too. Any ideas on how we can find out what year trucks have the same bolt pattern?

He does have a stick, so we're going to have to do one of the "contractor" type consoles...

Thanks again!
Kathy

 

Seats from an 87-96 F150, 87-97 F250, or 87-96 Bronco are a direct bolt in without any modifications.

Scott

 

yea i took the bench out of my 94 250...got one out of a 92 350 ...its actually a 3 seat set-up...buckets and a center seat slightly smaller that folds down and the back had nice storage and cup holders....by far ,,,its my faverate upgrade i have done to it ,,,even though the seats are grey and the rest of my interior is red....it makes all the difference when driveing....so much more comfortable, and i got them for like 150 bucks,,,,they all sit on a platform that unbolts from the truck in one piece seatbelts and all ...i think i got it out of an XLT.

 

Another option, which I used, was to get the seat recovered and refoamed by a local shop. Cost me $300. You could price a leather recover while you're at it.

The cloth recover was a good middle of the road solution that looks original.

 

300? Why so expensive? Was it to have it recovered? I paid $80 to have mine "filled" (the driver's side butt and lower back were caving in). It's been a year or so later and it's starting to cave in already.

 

rikard got it right. The junkyard is the way to go (least expensive anyway). I did one yesterday. 2 dollars to get in and 10 dollars for the seat. The seat is in perfect condition. Seat bolts are fairly easy. Do the two in the front, then slide the seat forward for easy access to the 2 in the rear.

 

LMC Truck has the saddle blanket seat covers that don't look to bad for $60.00.

 

lmc also has leather bench seats to,what color is the interior,i have a camoflage seat cover on my bench seat i paid about$40.00 for mine

 

Recover and restuff, had it done about 3 or 4 years ago. Still going good.

Might have been a little expensive but shop had a good reputation and did a good job.