New Upholstery and Carpet

[tx65coupe]

We are going to freshen up the interior in our 97 Cobra convertible. We have new carpet and new leather seat upholstery. I am going to be removing the seats and taking them to an upholstery shop to have the new upholstery installed. I am going to replace the carpet while the seats are being worked on.

I'm not sure how to get the seats out, more specifically the rear seat. Also, is it hard to get the console out? What all has to be removed to install the carpet?

Does anyone have any tips on this?

 

[2BADSTANGS]

Rear seat comes out by hitting "release tabs" I use a medium flatblade screwdriver. You insert it almost directly behind the middle of the driver+ pass seat. ( Yes, there's 2 tabs.) You will insert the chosen release tool in the crack between the carpet and bottom of the forward facing area of the rear seat and apply rearward pressure on the tabs. You may need to " feel" for these tabs with the tool. As you hit the tabs, apply upward pressure to the rear seat. If you hit them correctly, the seat will release and slide forward. As far as the center console goes, it has a lot of retaining screws hidden behind trim, if you need a step by step, let me know. However remove the shifter boot and go from there, it is pressure -fitted and will pop out if removed correctly. You will be able to begin to see how the console is secured once that is out. Good luck with the carpet!!!

 

[tx65coupe]

Thanks for the input.

How exactly does the shifter boot come out. Does the black plastic trim that comes down from the radio and ac/heat controls have to come off?

The carpet we got is Ford carpet and not aftermarket, so I think it will fit well.

What holds the rear seat back on?

The front seats should just be bolts under the car right?

 

[RDinTN]

Uhhhhh...

Really recommend you stop by Advance Auto & pick up a Chilton's Manual for yr car. What you're undertaking isn't difficult (and will be truly rewarding), but answering yr questions could could be complex.

Once you check out the manual, all will be on the same sheet of music; then yr questions will be fewer & far less complicated to answer.

This would be a great time to investigate heat barrier/ sound suppression matting. Using it under yr new carpet will make a world of difference.

Don't count on a perfect fit or not having to trim yr new carpet. You'll find many good Internet "Tips & Tricks" for carpet installation. Here's a good article (no, you won't get cooties from reading a MOPAR article):

1970 Chrysler 300 Carpet Installation - Mopar Muscle Magazine

Good luck. Its going to be like a new car!

 

[tx65coupe]

Thanks for the tip. I'll take a look at that article.

We got a Haynes manual. I may pick up a Chiltons as well. I have both manuals for my 95 F150 and it is nice having both.

 

[tx65coupe]

The manuals don't say anything about what holds the rear seat in.

I found the tabs on the bottom of the seat. How hard do you need to push on them to get them to release? Do you push in towards the back of the car? What holds the seat back in place?