Bottom Seat Cushion Replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 85
From: Richmond VA Everyone should have a VetteGuard
Bottom Seat Cushion Replacement
I'm getting organized to do a bottom seat foam replacement - drivers side. My leather is all good, but the cushion is getting flattened out. I have seen somewhere that there's the direct replacement foam, and also a thicker or more firm replacement anyone have any feedback on either and/or any info on which might better? Also I thought there was a vendor on the forum who sells the foam seat cushions, anyone have that name. Lastly and more importantly when doing this project were you presented with any surprises or things you found out that I should be aware of that could make this go smoothly. Thanks 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
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From: hamilton alabama
i got my foam from a vendor here that does leather cover packages but cant remember the name but know the foam is nice and pretty reasonable
but far as the swap it was pretty easy 
Rick
but far as the swap it was pretty easy Rick
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You can get some replacement seat foam from Matt at Vette Essentials. Good quality stuff and a fair price.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
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From: Madison Wi
Matt is the man. Call him first, he'll hook you up.
I got mine from Matt. It was less expensive to get a passenger side foam and use that in the drivers seat. The only difference between the passenger side and driver side bottom foams are the 2 quarter-sized holes in the foam for the child seat anchors. No big deal, the leather covers up anyways and you'll never notice.
Matt will explain it better than me. The price was really reasonable too, like half the price I saw anywhere else.
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http://www.shop.djmotorsportaccessor...2&categoryId=7
I remember reading an earlier thread where a member also cut out a square piece of dense memory foam to fit into the square section at the bottom of the seat to help provide additional support and rigidity.
Another tip is to use trimmed burlap or a trimmed rubber/foam yoga mat to cover the springs before applying the foam. That prevents the springs from working their way though the foam over time.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
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From: Madison Wi
Yup, I cut up one of my wife's old yoga mats and put a square between the foam and the springs on each seat. It firmed up the seats a bit too.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 153
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From: bay city mi
I just installed the firmer seat foams in the passenger seat as a trial. Turned out to be way to firm for my wife and myself. The vender gladly took back the unused foam. The foam that I installed was not returnable due required modification to provide relief for seat adj. switch panel. The OEM had right and left versions with the relief molded in, current replacements are a single foam that have to be modified for right and left.
Andy
Andy
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Oro Valley AZ
The DJ foam is the ticket, but--
Be sure before you button the whole thing up that you have trimmed enough to allow the plastic housing for the seat adj switch to fit on. The firmer foam and any stuff Ya put over the springs makes the cover fit very snug, this makes it a bit of a trick to get the flimsy plastic switch cover on. If Ya force it the post in the front will break off either when you are putting it on or soon after.
I also used a big curved needle and very strong thread (125# braided fishing line) to attach the spots that org had the "hog rings". With a couple of passes of line thru the holes it allowes ya to pull on the ends to draw it up tight then tie it off. With the tight fitting cover ya don't have enough hands to use the rings, I also think there is less chance of tearing out the holes in the cover.
I also used a big curved needle and very strong thread (125# braided fishing line) to attach the spots that org had the "hog rings". With a couple of passes of line thru the holes it allowes ya to pull on the ends to draw it up tight then tie it off. With the tight fitting cover ya don't have enough hands to use the rings, I also think there is less chance of tearing out the holes in the cover.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Richmond VA Everyone should have a VetteGuard
[QUOTE=416 Rigby;1576310253] The firmer foam and any stuff Ya put over the springs makes the cover fit very snug, this makes it a bit of a trick to get the flimsy plastic switch cover on. If Ya force it the post in the front will break off either when you are putting it on or soon after.
Sounds like I may be better off with the standard foam (OEM) vs. the thicker material for both fit and comfort. Thanks for the tips.
Sounds like I may be better off with the standard foam (OEM) vs. the thicker material for both fit and comfort. Thanks for the tips.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 157
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From: Wellington FL
I recently bought the complete driver's seat foam from Matt at VE. I had the foam replaced by a local upholstery shop who also replaced two of the vinyl sections in my seat back. I was lucky because the stitching was tearing through the vinyl, but not the leather. I also purchased a new plastic switch trim panel because the plastic pin had broken on the original one. That was replaced at the same time. The upholstery shop also installed a piece of thin carpeting between the bottom of the foam and the springs.
Additionally, I provided some plastic tubing which I slit and the shop installed that over the outer edge of the back frame when they installed the new foam on the upper portion of the seat.
I was amazed at how comfortable the seat was after the foam replacement. The entire job cost me $450 including the seat foam, plastic trim plate and the bill from the upholstery shop.
2001 Pewter Convertible
Additionally, I provided some plastic tubing which I slit and the shop installed that over the outer edge of the back frame when they installed the new foam on the upper portion of the seat.
I was amazed at how comfortable the seat was after the foam replacement. The entire job cost me $450 including the seat foam, plastic trim plate and the bill from the upholstery shop.
2001 Pewter Convertible
Last edited by Mr. Clean; Dec 26, 2010 at 06:03 AM. Reason: Additional information
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I recently bought the complete driver's seat foam from Matt at VE. I had the foam replaced by a local upholstery shop who also replaced two of the vinyl sections in my seat back. I was lucky because the stitching was tearing through the vinyl, but not the leather. I also purchased a new plastic switch trim panel because the plastic pin had broken on the original one. That was replaced at the same time. The upholstery shop also installed a piece of thin carpeting between the bottom of the foam and the springs.
Additionally, I provided some plastic tubing which I slit and the shop installed that over the outer edge of the back frame when they installed the new foam on the upper portion of the seat.
I was amazed at how comfortable the seat was after the foam replacement. The entire job cost me $450 including the seat foam, plastic trim plate and the bill from the upholstery shop.
2001 Pewter Convertible
Additionally, I provided some plastic tubing which I slit and the shop installed that over the outer edge of the back frame when they installed the new foam on the upper portion of the seat.
I was amazed at how comfortable the seat was after the foam replacement. The entire job cost me $450 including the seat foam, plastic trim plate and the bill from the upholstery shop.
2001 Pewter Convertible