scole665 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 I have an '86 BRAT which I'm just about finished restoring mechanically. The next step is the interior (and finally paint). The interior isn't all that bad, but I would like to redo the seats. Does anyone know of a place that does something close to original (Blue vinyl with the "checkered" blue/gray cloth)? Anyone have any ideas for me to get this as close to original as possible? Maybe someone has some perfect seats for me! :-) Or any other tips? Thanks, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 Star Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I would be interested in this as well. I've heard of places that make new seat "skins" that look like the originals. Or maybe there is an upholstery place that will restore them. But yes, finding seats that are just in better condition will probably be less expensive and easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEECHBM69 Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 But yes, finding seats that are just in better condition will probably be less expensive and easier. Mid to late 90's model Escort seats are almost a direct swap. If you find the right color in the scrap yard you won't have to do much of anything. Original on the left, 99 Escort GT on the right. Installed Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scole665 Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 Mid to late 90's model Escort seats are almost a direct swap. If you find the right color in the scrap yard you won't have to do much of anything. Original on the left, 99 Escort GT on the right. Installed Dan They look damn good!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I am sure the Escort GT seats are nicer than the 25 yo orginals. But I can't imagine going through the trouble of purchasing nearly 15 yo torn seats and installing them. Most any Legacy, Forrester, WRX, etc Subaru seat is an easy fit. Just my feelings on the subject. A properly restored seat would still probably cost more than a very late model Subaru seat also. First the seat pattern would probably have to be custom made. Then you would have to refoam the seat frame and possibly even redo some of the foam suspension. When I decided to do this on my 87 Brat back in 04 or 05 I got new take outs from a 03 RS. Think I paid about $300.00 for them. Took me maybe 3 or so hours to install. Best $300 bucks I ever spent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I really like my Mitsubishi seats... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 don't know what they came out of but they look good in my brat:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djellum Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 look up upholstery in the phone book and see what is in your area. Its not ultra expensive, but it depends on what you want. many times they can save the center stripe of cloth and just replace the vinyl side pieces. myself I want to find some XT seats since they have the manual height adjustment. did any other suby's have the adjustable height ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallwelder81 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 turbosubarubrat! i have the same seats as you. even the color. i bought my car from craigslist. everett, wa. 1983 brat. the seller, jeff, had done a few things, seats, domelight, weber, and stereo. it was 2 andahalf years ago, but i BELIEVE he said the seats were from a mid-90s mazda. not sure what model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 i like the seats there alot better condition than the (original have 200k basicly on them) and the new ones seem more comfortable:headbang: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scole665 Posted August 4, 2012 Author Share Posted August 4, 2012 look up upholstery in the phone book and see what is in your area. Its not ultra expensive, but it depends on what you want. many times they can save the center stripe of cloth and just replace the vinyl side pieces. The cloth isn't all that great so I'm not sure it's worth saving. i have looked at 5 places and no one has exactly what I want. And, I have to say, I find upholstery people a little crotchety. Especially when i tell them I want 'this exact fabric'. LOL. I may have to cave in and get something a little different or look into other Subaru seats. I wanted to stay with what I had because I need as much clearance as possible. This car was designed for a much shorter person and i need the seat as far back as possible and then like 4 more inches. Hey, no harm in asking around, i guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallwelder81 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 how tall are you? im 6'3" and i wear a 32w/36L and the brat fits me fine. if anything, i dont even use the rearmost notch on the seat slide. but then again, ive always kinda preferred an upright and vertical driving style. hence my preference for trucks. i feel really weird when i drive a honda or saturn or whatever. my only CAR, car, is a 67 buick. and the factory original seats dont even recline anyhow. plus, even though it was considered a long and low cruiser, caddillac style, kinda, you know those 60s cars. kinda high off the ground compared to a car of the last 20 years. and a much more... firm and awake/alert driving position. even though the front bumper is usually in a different county than your butt. kinda gambling anytime you pull thru a blind intersection. by the time YOU can see the road you are entering, with your own eyeballs, your front bumper is 5 or even 5-1/2 feet out into the oncoming traffic. guess thats why they had a ton of 0-40mph guts. cuz theres no point even bothering to look. once you can see, looking is already pointless. just get out there and stomp that floor. LOL..... and dont forget to sit back, or you will have whiplash like a sunufa.... mine didnt even come with headrests, the seat just ends at my shoulders if i slump, my nipple-height if i use good posture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanical_misfit Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I also did these escort seat swap in my '84 DL. I would recommend doing that. I found some that matched my tan interior and only gave $35 for both of them. Now they are way more comfortable than the trashed oem seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scole665 Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 how tall are you? im 6'3" and i wear a 32w/36L and the brat fits me fine. if anything, i dont even use the rearmost notch on the seat slide. but then again, ive always kinda preferred an upright and vertical driving style. I'm 6'3". It's definitely small for my comfort but it doesn't stop me. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEECHBM69 Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I am sure the Escort GT seats are nicer than the 25 yo orginals. But I can't imagine going through the trouble of purchasing nearly 15 yo torn seats and installing them. Most any Legacy, Forrester, WRX, etc Subaru seat is an easy fit. When I decided to do this on my 87 Brat back in 04 or 05 I got new take outs from a 03 RS. Think I paid about $300.00 for them. Took me maybe 3 or so hours to install. Best $300 bucks I ever spent! I suppose it depends on your definition of trouble. Elongating one hole and straight bolting them in seemed worthwhile. Fabricating something was both beyond my ability, and beyond the limits of effort I wanted to put forth. And it was the best $60 I ever spent..... Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Well I guess I did have one unfair advantage. There was a late model Legacy sitting in the driveway I could pull a seat out of and check fitment! Fabbing was very minimal. I guess I have spent enough on my Brat already with two paint jobs over 15 years, windshield, carpet and many other things that $300.00 wasn't much to me. I guess it depends on the price of your local salvage yard and the condition of your ea81 vehicle. My orginal seats had grains of foam littering under the seat and I swear you felt metal when you hit a good bump. I felt they were shot for all intended purposes and not worthy of a rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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