installing willcox seat covers '81
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Azusa California
installing willcox seat covers '81
Finally ordered my seat covers today after almost a year of procrastination.....
In talking to the Willcox guy, he said I could leave the seats in while removing/replacing the seat covers... Any thoughts on this or suggestions appreciated.
Followup question - do I need to remove the seats to install a new radio? (remove instrument console etc)
Thanks
Steve
In talking to the Willcox guy, he said I could leave the seats in while removing/replacing the seat covers... Any thoughts on this or suggestions appreciated.
Followup question - do I need to remove the seats to install a new radio? (remove instrument console etc)
Thanks
Steve
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Heck, even I’m confused now.. 
What type of cover did you order? I think there might be some confusion but I'll answer this when I know what cover you bought. Then I can tell you how to do it…
What type of cover did you order? I think there might be some confusion but I'll answer this when I know what cover you bought. Then I can tell you how to do it…
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Oct 4, 2006 at 11:15 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 196
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From: Burlington WI
You don't to take the seat frame out the the foam pieces you have
to take out. To get the center console cover out it is easier to take
the seat frame out to get at the carpeting screws. I took my radio
out thru right side and that seat is help by for nuts from top side.
Nuts or Bolts, can't remember.
to take out. To get the center console cover out it is easier to take
the seat frame out to get at the carpeting screws. I took my radio
out thru right side and that seat is help by for nuts from top side.
Nuts or Bolts, can't remember.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
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From: Boca Raton Florida
Pulling the seats has a couple advantages, you ca completely clean and paint the buckets, clean and lube the rails, clean the carpet and fix up the side panels on the console while your at itNew Seat Covers call for makin it look like new
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From: Azusa California
thanks
OK, sorry for any confusion.
I ordered the mounted "driver leather" seat covers from Willcox...
And if I need to or should take the seats out, I figure I should do the radio at the same time.... otherwise I can hold off on the radio for while (it works but the display is screwy!)
Thanks
I ordered the mounted "driver leather" seat covers from Willcox...
And if I need to or should take the seats out, I figure I should do the radio at the same time.... otherwise I can hold off on the radio for while (it works but the display is screwy!)
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 151
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From: Newark CA
Now I am confused: What the heck does the radio have to do with the seats? In the '81, and I am guessing any C3 the radio is in the upper center console area, and comes out with removing 4 screws, and disconnecting the harness, and a couple of other wire connections. You will have the center console piece in your hand, and ready for the radio change. The question then becomes do you cut your exsistng console piece to install an aftermarket radio, buy a "look a like radio" with some of the modern capabilities, or do you buy an already cut piece, and save the original?
The seats should be removed as stated above, so you can clean & repaint the old frames & plastic pieces to make the job look really good. You could probably remove the foam pieces and do the job in the car, but removing the seats is very easy, 4 bolts each.
The seats should be removed as stated above, so you can clean & repaint the old frames & plastic pieces to make the job look really good. You could probably remove the foam pieces and do the job in the car, but removing the seats is very easy, 4 bolts each.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 13
From: Palmdale Ca
Originally Posted by snilloc58
In talking to the Willcox guy, he said I could leave the seats in while removing/replacing the seat covers... Any thoughts on this or suggestions appreciated.
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From: Azusa California
Gary, I read in another post that it might be easier to remove the seats to get better access to the instrument console:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=342048
You're right, it doesn't seem strictly necessary (or intuitive)
Augie, thanks for your opinion removing the seats, I think I will do so. Did you have any trouble at all with the process (maybe alignment) that I should watch out for?
From what I read, the process is simply: remove front nuts, slide seat forward, remove rear nuts, tip seat to remove wiring, remove seat. Seems too easy
Thanks guys
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=342048
You're right, it doesn't seem strictly necessary (or intuitive)
Augie, thanks for your opinion removing the seats, I think I will do so. Did you have any trouble at all with the process (maybe alignment) that I should watch out for?
From what I read, the process is simply: remove front nuts, slide seat forward, remove rear nuts, tip seat to remove wiring, remove seat. Seems too easy
Thanks guys
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
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From: Palmdale Ca
Steve, mine were that simple. Four bolts and the wire (I forgot them). I bet I could take them out quicker than the wife can paint her nails. You can't screw up the alignment either. After seeing how easy they come out I can see me taking them out in the future for any work under the dash or God forbid I have to do the heater core again. Hope I didn't just jinx myself.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 151
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From: Newark CA
Originally Posted by snilloc58
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=342048
You're right, it doesn't seem strictly necessary (or intuitive)
You're right, it doesn't seem strictly necessary (or intuitive)
Thread Starter
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From: Azusa California
Originally Posted by garycr14
Mine didn't have any lower console screws that attached anywhere. I would try the 4 screws first, and see how it goes. You definately want to disconnect the battery, as it is very easy to short something in the dash, I speak from experience, bad experience!
I *am* goiing to have someone else do it, but I want to give them instructions (like disconnecting the battery!)
Related question - will "standard" 4x6 and 6x9 speakers fit OK? If so, I can get those put in at the same time.....
Thanks all for your help
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Mundelein Illinois
I installed new seat covers in my vette. I bought them with new foam. All you have to do is slide the metal strip on the seat cover over the metal clip on the fiberglass seat. I had to remove some extra foam on the seat so the metal strip could clear the metal retaining clip on the seat.
The radio is a little easier with the seats out because you can remove the side panels totally, otherwise you bend them out of the way.
The radio is a little easier with the seats out because you can remove the side panels totally, otherwise you bend them out of the way.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
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i just covered mine on tuesday wih 100% leather seat covers out of the corvette america book, i took the seat out, taking the seat out is really easy you just have to slide the seat back, take the front 2 bols out, then slide it forward and take the back 2 out. mines a 74 so i dont know if yours is different but the process took 3-4 hours
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From: Azusa California
Thanks guys, I have decided to have Circuit City install the stereo (for about $80). I will replace the speakers myself....
Now -my mounted seat covers arrived today. Appreciate advice on removing the old and installing.
I found the following:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...s/seatspg1.asp
Comments appreciated on the usefulness and accuracy of this article, and any other ideas.
Thanks
Now -my mounted seat covers arrived today. Appreciate advice on removing the old and installing.
I found the following:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...s/seatspg1.asp
Comments appreciated on the usefulness and accuracy of this article, and any other ideas.
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Newark CA
Originally Posted by snilloc58
Hi Gary, I am a bit unclear which 4 screws you mean, do mean the four that are around the radio itself? Can you please clarify?
I *am* goiing to have someone else do it, but I want to give them instructions (like disconnecting the battery!)
Related question - will "standard" 4x6 and 6x9 speakers fit OK? If so, I can get those put in at the same time.....
Thanks all for your help
I *am* goiing to have someone else do it, but I want to give them instructions (like disconnecting the battery!)
Related question - will "standard" 4x6 and 6x9 speakers fit OK? If so, I can get those put in at the same time.....
Thanks all for your help
If in fact you do have to remove the side panels of the lower console, you will need to remove your seats, which is a 10 minute job, no big deal. I think that you will find that anytime you need to work on something under the dash, it is easy enogh ot remove the seat to give yourself more room.
The dash speakers are a bit smaller than 4X6, I think they were something like 3X5. I bought Pioneers, as they were what I could find locally to fit (Best Buy store). The 6X9 fit in the rear, although I had to work a little to get them in place as the magnets on the back of the upgraded speaker are quite a bit larger than the stock Delco's.
I hope this helps.
Gary
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 151
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From: Newark CA
Originally Posted by snilloc58
Hi Gary, I am a bit unclear which 4 screws you mean, do mean the four that are around the radio itself? Can you please clarify?
I *am* goiing to have someone else do it, but I want to give them instructions (like disconnecting the battery!)
Related question - will "standard" 4x6 and 6x9 speakers fit OK? If so, I can get those put in at the same time.....
Thanks all for your help
I *am* goiing to have someone else do it, but I want to give them instructions (like disconnecting the battery!)
Related question - will "standard" 4x6 and 6x9 speakers fit OK? If so, I can get those put in at the same time.....
Thanks all for your help
If in fact you do have to remove the side panels of the lower console, you will need to remove your seats, which is a 10 minute job, no big deal. I think that you will find that anytime you need to work on something under the dash, it is easy enogh ot remove the seat to give yourself more room.
The dash speakers are a bit smaller than 4X6, I think they were something like 3X5. I bought Pioneers, as they were what I could find locally to fit (Best Buy store). The 6X9 fit in the rear, although I had to work a little to get them in place as the magnets on the back of the upgraded speaker are quite a bit larger than the stock Delco's.
I hope this helps.
Gary
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Azusa California
Thanks Gary for your advice.
Back to seat covers. So far I have found that removal is a snap, but installation is far from easy.
Spedaleden, any more tips on would be great.. The seat backs are a PITA.
What's your secret method for installation?
Back to seat covers. So far I have found that removal is a snap, but installation is far from easy.
Spedaleden, any more tips on would be great.. The seat backs are a PITA.
What's your secret method for installation?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Azusa California
Update
Final resolution: I couldn't get the seat covers installed myself, so I found a shop that would install them.
Took them (seats and covers) in Friday, got them back Sat morning, must not have been too hard :-)
Anyways, I got them in, looks great.
Thanks
Took them (seats and covers) in Friday, got them back Sat morning, must not have been too hard :-)
Anyways, I got them in, looks great.
Thanks