Narrowing rear seat

Enzio · Mar 31, 2022

Not one but TWO refrigerators in the garage. Right On!

extra_stout · Apr 1, 2022

78 Mach1 said:
I’m actually thinking about borrowing my mothers better machine and trying to do the front seats in real leather.

What is the condition of your old front seats? I need just a upholstery of the bottom part (left or right), because one of mine is brittle and the seam broke... Would be nice to just get this bottom part exchanged with a better one.
By the way: nice work.

78 Mach1 · Apr 3, 2022

Finally got around to doing the lower back seats. Because of my custom made rear frame rails for narrowing the rear differential and tubs, there wasn’t any option to purchase these. Paying someone $1500 or doing it myself we’re my only options. I started by making my own patterns for the material. I used construction paper and straight pens to create the right shapes.

Then I cut the material to match my patterns.

Next I sewed foam to the top 4 pieces where you sit for more comfort.

From there it was just a matter of sewing everything together. I quickly realized that my daughters sewing machine was not sufficient for this type of work. I bought an industrial sewing machine for a great price on Market Place.

Then I’d was back to seeing. I was so excited how it was turning out, I forgot to take pictures. But basically I sewed everything together, including the metal wire for attaching the hog rings.

78 Mach1 · Apr 3, 2022

Here’s the finished product.

Notice the reliefs built into the outside edge of each seat. That is to clear the wheel tubs. Then the square relief on the front section is to clear my custom rear frame rails.

Here they are installed.

Here’s how they fit over my rear frame rails. And this is why I couldn’t just buy covers online.

I obviously still have to install the carpet. But I wanted to mock up to ensure fit. Now it’s just a matter of carpeting and redoing the front seats of course. I am very happy with how this turned out. I was quoted $1500 to pay a shop to do the rear seat upholstery. I spent $150 in materials and another $125 for a used industrial sewing machine. It took me a couple weeks working on it around my work schedule. But it was we’ll worth the effort. This cost was just for the rear seat. I’ll have additional material cost for the fronts. But I was quoted $750 for each front seat. I’ll definitely be less than that by far. I highly encourage anyone to give this a try if your interior is rough. I never sewed before this project. If I can do it, anyone can.

78 Mach1 · Apr 3, 2022

extra_stout said:
What is the condition of your old front seats? I need just a upholstery of the bottom part (left or right), because one of mine is brittle and the seam broke... Would be nice to just get this bottom part exchanged with a better one.
By the way: nice work.

I would definitely send you my fronts once I’m done making the new ones. But I’m telling you now, you won’t be happy with them. They are dried out and cracking as well. Plus, these were made by someone in the 80’s and they used the cheapest material on the market. The material I used to make my back seats is 100 times better quality. And it was only $30 per yard. Here’s a picture of my front seats current condition. I’ll be starting on these next week.

78 Mach1 · Apr 3, 2022

I also have my old rear seat lowers I’d give to anyone that wants them. But again, they are made of super cheap material. But these are in decent shape still. I have no idea how they survived all these years being such crappy material.

extra_stout · Apr 3, 2022

78 Mach1 said:
I would definitely send you my fronts once I’m done making the new ones. But I’m telling you now, you won’t be happy with them.

Thanks for your feedback. Your right, they are in a worse condition than mine and I thought they would be original...
Go on with your nice work

2Blue2 · Apr 3, 2022

Right on!
Always wanted to buy an industrial sewing machine.

78 Mach1 · Apr 3, 2022

I never thought I would need one. But now that I have it, projects are coming out of the wood work. Now my wife wants me to do leather interior on her 97 F350. And I’ve decided to do my 69 F100 in leather. Also a friend of mine wants me to do his van. Guess this machine will get lots of use.

78 Mach1 · Apr 3, 2022

Enzio said:
Not one but TWO refrigerators in the garage. Right On!

Yep. Ones for the beer, the other is a freezer to keep beef stocked up. I raise my own. So I need a lot of freezer space.

808hyperstang93 · Apr 13, 2022

That looks awesome....I would just leave it..lol!!

I just recently tubbed my Fox Notch and need to narrow my rear seats if I wanna keep um. So after getting quotted a ridiculous amount to narrow the rear seats I also decided to do it my self. Just finished with the bottom...it was a PIA but got it done.

78 Mach1 · Apr 13, 2022

808hyperstang93 said:
That looks awesome....I would just leave it..lol!!

I just recently tubbed my Fox Notch and need to narrow my rear seats if I wanna keep um. So after getting quotted a ridiculous amount to narrow the rear seats I also decided to do it my self. Just finished with the bottom...it was a PIA but got it done.

Yours is coming along good. I was so pleased with how the back turned out. I am now making custom front upholstery to match the rear. I feel this is something most anyone can do if they are willing to try.

78 Mach1 · May 6, 2022

I didn’t bother documenting step buy step on the fronts since this thread is about narrowing the rear seat after tubing. But just to bring this to a close. I did finish the fronts and they turned out pretty good for an amateur. I’ve never ordered the seat upholstery kit that they sell online, so I don’t have an exact comparison. But I can say these seats are the most comfortable seats I’ve ever sat in out of all the Mustangs I’ve owned over the years

Before

After

78 Mach1 · May 6, 2022

Here they are sitting in the car for mock up. I obviously still need to lay in the sound deadening mats and new carpeting. But I still have some welding to do for the ladder bar brackets. Once I finish that, the carpet will go in and the interior is done.

I’m sure there’s some professional upholstery guys out there that can find flaws in them. But keep in mind, I made these from scratch out of rolls of material with a 80 year old sewing machine. And this was my first experience behind a sewing machine. I’ve very pleased with how they turned out.

My next big project on this car is fabrication work to squeeze a 351 Cleveland in it. I will start a new thread for that. I’m hoping to get some advice from guys that have already done this.

2Blue2 · May 15, 2022

Right on, always wanted to try my hand at that.
Ya did alright.
I think you have a good learning curve going.

Looking forward to Cleveland swap

Narrowing rear seat

Enzio

Dang it. I was hoping mine would get 3 more inches

extra_stout

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will be trying this sex one when I can find it

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will be trying this sex one when I can find it

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Narrowing rear seat

Dang it. I was hoping mine would get 3 more inches

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will be trying this sex one when I can find it

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