I've racked my brain on trying to get my seats attached to the bucket tabs. Anyone know of a trick, like maybe holding my feet differently, or a dance I'm supposed to do first, or something like that?

 

I assume that you are talking about the 79-82 seat backs. If so I have the trick. In your tool box get out an old crappy flat blade screwdriver with some body to it. No short handles or thin blades. The blade needs to be wide enough for a notch and the width of teh seat cushion wire. Then grind a notch in from the side using a cut-off wheel. Make sure that you leave just enough of the tip so it won't break off but yet not so much that it will keep you from being able to get the wire under the clip. Once you have made your notch, which should take about a minute, test to make sure that it will snugly slip on the wire in the seat cushion. Then install your screwdriver tip into the seat so the opening of the tool to face torwards the clip or outwards. Press down to force the wire into the seat back frame and roll back the cushion so you can see what you are doing and when the wire is at the area of the clip, pull the screwdriver to the clip and pull the wire into the clip. When the wire has been secured, twist or carefully push the screwdricer tip in the opposite direction and remove. The notch in the screwdriver tip you will now see is important, if to much metal is at the tip, grind it away. My tool has about 1/16" at the end and I have used it for years. Seat cushions are now a one man job and install in about a minute once you get the hang of it. Good luck.

 

EXCELLENT!!!!
Never thought of that. So simple and sounds like a killer fix.
Thanks.

 

I've made the same tool, but also put slight bend in the screw driver shaft to push up the seat cushion and provide a better view of the wire and clip. It works like a charm, and makes it an easy job. I can't imagine how it can be done without a tool.

 

I'm getting ready to try this next week. I've read on here to get some 1/2 inch copper tubing. Cut a piece about a inch long and then cut it long ways so it will fit over the tab. Now with the tool, push the wire over the copper tube and it should pop around tube and into the clip.

 

I can envision how the tube would act as a guide to position the wire. My thought is that with the screwdriver-based tool, you probably won't need the tube. It actually might just get in the way. Still, it's a simple device to have around just in case.