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nanometer
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 12:39 pm    Post subject: Front seats Reply with quote

Hi all ....... My front seats are shot. Rather than have someone rebuild them I thought there might be some sellers out there that have reproduced them (probably imported). I would prefer some without the high backs. Any ideas ?
Thanks Sad
Important edit: I forgot to mention that the springs are broken in the center of
the drivers seat. Ouch


Last edited by nanometer on Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:18 am; edited 1 time in total
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Wildthings
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:03 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

Your year and model/cab layout would be helpful.
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nanometer
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:23 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

Wildthings wrote:
Your year and model/cab layout would be helpful.


Sorry about that - It's a 71 Day Camper
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aeromech
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 7:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

Nope.
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OB Bus
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 7:35 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

Lots of folks in these forums like the Chrysler Stow-and-Go middle seats. Google it.
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Wildthings
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 9:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

At times some shops have done rebuild exchanges. Maybe do a search online or buy a VW specific magazine and go through the ads.
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sooonice
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:20 am    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

-repair or have some one else repair your seats, springs, padding, covers etc...
-find good used ones

stock seats are quite comfortable, i dont think you will be disappointed...

there is no great aftermarket option(afaik), unless you hack in some seats from a newer vehicle.


-mish
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nanometer
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:20 am    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

aeromech wrote:
Nope.


More details on "Nope" ?
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mikedjames
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:42 am    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

There are upholstery Z springs that can be used to repair your existing seats. You can even wrap a broken spring in iron garden wire ( not galvanized) and weld it.

I did this to my old seats. Fixed broken springs poking through and a passenger seat flattened by the Worlds Heaviest Passenger.

Good enough in the end to sell them on when I went from pre 76 to post 76 with headrests.
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nanometer
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

mikedjames wrote:
There are upholstery Z springs that can be used to repair your existing seats. You can even wrap a broken spring in iron garden wire ( not galvanized) and weld it.

I did this to my old seats. Fixed broken springs poking through and a passenger seat flattened by the Worlds Heaviest Passenger.

Good enough in the end to sell them on when I went from pre 76 to post 76 with headrests.


I found that interesting. Thank you
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dodger tom
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:53 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

i brought my seats to my local auto upholstery guy. he was ready to replace springs and metal when necessary. i also brought padding and ready-made seat covers (original westy pattern), which was much cheaper than having him find and sew the fabric.
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nanometer
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

OB Bus wrote:
Lots of folks in these forums like the Chrysler Stow-and-Go middle seats. Google it.


This isn't too bad. Wonder what it costs ?
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nanometer
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:07 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

dodger tom wrote:
i brought my seats to my local auto upholstery guy. he was ready to replace springs and metal when necessary. i also brought padding and ready-made seat covers (original westy pattern), which was much cheaper than having him find and sew the fabric.


I'll probably have to do that. I don't know what they do with broken springs though. Maybe they can fix the one sticking out of my head Laughing


Last edited by nanometer on Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
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dodger tom
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

sewfine is one of the places that make seat covers for vw’s. if they don’t rebuild/repair the seats, someone in denver who specializes in doing classic cars does.
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richparker
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

Sew Fine is excellent, but they are kinda pricey. I used them for my branch/bed material and foam.

I used TMI for my front seats.
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61 BUS Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:29 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

I'd look for a used 71 front driver or passenger seat that has some good springs and do a transplant, using the good springs from the donor to replace the bad springs in your seat. A passenger seat will likely have better springs as it's not used as much as the drivers seat is.
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nanometer
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 9:20 am    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

OB Bus wrote:
Lots of folks in these forums like the Chrysler Stow-and-Go middle seats. Google it.


Good solution IF you can find them. They're not that old so auto parts yards don't have them. I'll probably end up buying seat materials from Wolfsburg West
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OB Bus
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 12:12 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

nanometer wrote:
OB Bus wrote:
Lots of folks in these forums like the Chrysler Stow-and-Go middle seats. Google it.

Good solution IF you can find them. They're not that old so auto parts yards don't have them. I'll probably end up buying seat materials from Wolfsburg West


I have not done this swap but I have seen quite a few of these for sale on eBay. My replacement seats came out of some kind of motorhome.
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

it is a 50 year old car and reproduction seats are not available. People have suggested how to repair the old ones. Some people replace them with other car seats but don't do it if you plan to sell it later on because to many it will be a downgrade. The factory seats work fine, I drove a 1971 for 600,000 miles and the seats lasted that long and longer - requiring only an occasional reupholstering. If yours are so shot you don't feel they are worth upholstering, and repairing, then go to classifieds here and watch for a pair near you so you can go get them. There is a pair of early frames and springs in Florence Colorado for sale right now in classifieds. You can buy quality burlap at Joanns or online, and the seat pads from Wolfsburg West. Several places sell TMI seat upholstery like the original.
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jtauxe Premium Member
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Front seats Reply with quote

You can search the classifieds for used seat frames that are not yet broken. Clean those up and paint or powdercoat them, then have an upholsterer rebuild them. If you are in the Denver area, you could use Sewfine, who will do an excellent job or provide you the materials to do it yourself (which you can do).

Do you and your passengers a favor and get seats from 1973-1975 which support head rests.
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