[Sudarshan]

This is about how I made the seats in my Jeep .

The original were the 118 NE type seats came with the Jeep , these lasted many years . With time they went bad , but meanwhile I got the taste of the Land Rovers & this subject of repairing / replacing took a back seat as the LR became my primary ride .

Two years back I Purchased a commercial sewing machine for some sample making purposes & then I thought about doing the seats the DIY way & I did it .After that I did the Landy front row seats too .

These are basically a Coir + Foam seats based on half inch waterproof board using the existing seat frames .

With the Original seats , I used to have pain in my neck few times if the driving exceeded 4/5 hrs . but now tested these for some 5 hrs driving & the neck pain is gone . Tested these on off roads too & they proved worth the effort .

Have a Look



















This is my Work Mate , the partner in seat crime




Sudarshan

[DeClutch 4X4]

@ Sudarshan ji,

Appreciate your effort, it looks pretty decent as well. Hope you are having a decent ride comfort as well. just a quick question, any particular grade/quality of foam used?

I guess, ribs/lines could have enhanced it appearance. does it requires any pressing/fusing to get ribs/lines?

I have a seat frame to test out too. let me try to replicate!

Ride in comfort
Deepak

[Sudarshan]

Originally Posted by DeClutch 4X4

@ Sudarshan ji,

Appreciate your effort, it looks pretty decent as well. Hope you are having a decent ride comfort as well. just a quick question, any particular grade/quality of foam used?

Thanks for the compliments, the Coir used was 4 inches thick & the foam was 1 inch thick. I need to search files for the bills to check the specs of both. Don't remember the correct specs now. Bit confused as I remember the coir of 100 density & the foam 60, but will confirm later.

I used common sense to select the foam & coir in the shop by taking the 'feel ' of the material, had no other guidance.

I guess, ribs/lines could have enhanced it appearance. does it requires any pressing/fusing to get ribs/lines?

I have a seat frame to test out too. let me try to replicate!

Yes there is a lot of scope for improvement. You can get this done by a professional cushion maker & it will be a 100% perfect Job. (& a great looker too)

I just did what I observed these guys do. I took the easiest way out. I can just run the machine, that's all. I don't have professionals skills yet.

Attaching here the pics of the Land Rover Series 2a front row seats, which I did later. This was a bit tricky job as the supply of material fell short & had to use some old coir at the last moment, leveling took some time





Sudarshan

[GTO]

Good one, thanks for sharing.

Exactly how cheap . Can you please share the cost of material?

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by Sudarshan

Yes there is a lot of scope for improvement , you can get this done by a professional cushion maker & it will be a 100 % perfect Job.

For your off-roading, seat belts are must. You didn't keep any space for that I see from the pictures. Or I'm missing something?

[Sudarshan]

Originally Posted by DeClutch 4X4

any particular grade/quality of foam used?

Coir 100 density , foam ( sponge ) 60 & 30 , used different grade for seat & back

Originally Posted by GTO

Good one, thanks for sharing.

Exactly how cheap . Can you please share the cost of material?

Spent some 3500 Rs for the material including the seat leather/cloth ( whatever ) , made 10 seats ( 5 pairs , a seating portion & a back )

Did not calculate my own workmanship . Spent some 18 hrs in all .

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

For your off-roading, seat belts are must. You didn't keep any space for that I see from the pictures. Or I'm missing something?

Yes NO seat belts there , but why off roading only , seat belts are necessary .

Originally these vehicles did not come with Seat Belts or any provision ( body threads ) for that , but space is there . Have collected material for that & its in the pipeline . Need to think properly before execution

Thanks for reminding , this is a must thing , though these are HT vehicles .

Sudarshan

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by Sudarshan

Yes NO seat belts there , but why off roading only, seat belts are necessary.

Thanks. Yes seat belts are must. Especially during off-roading and at so called slow speed too.

Hitting head, shoulder and what have you seems to be pretty common.

[DeClutch 4X4]

@ Sudarshan Ji,

Thanks for inputs on foam grade and coir used. I guess, it makes a good idea to sort all your DIY's efforts in single thread. At least for me it will help a lot to find most of the information in one place. Are you contemplating any thoughts to release a book on this?

18 hours, good lord! i know its too much of time but worth the sense of accomplishment achieved.

More DIY's from your end please

Regards,

[Sudarshan]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Thanks. Yes seat belts are must. Especially during off-roading and at so called slow speed too.

Absolutely , No doubt about it .

Hitting head, shoulder and what have you seems to be pretty common.

For the time being have made cushion padding where the head hits frequently
But seriously , there is a strip near the roof top where padding was originally provided .It was not there in my first landy ( someone throw it away ) , then I thought I need something . I discovered it in my third Landy (few pieces of pading were still there ) & restored it . So I am ok now

Originally Posted by DeClutch 4X4

== Are you contemplating any thoughts to release a book on this?

Sir thanks , Family has re accepted me in the house on one condition , I will not write anything on DIY

18 hours, good lord! i know its too much of time but worth the sense of accomplishment achieved.

More DIY's from your end please

Regards,

Yes it takes a lot of time as you take more time than the professionals of the trade . But the results stay there for lifetime .Work is often back breaking , but one has a guarantee of a good night sleep .


Will post some more as & when I find time to

Sudarshan