I am close to the point of putting the seat into my C cab. I plan on buying the lower springs for it since I have none. My question is about the upholstery. Has anyone had any experience with the kit that the suppliers sell? Does it install like the original with the thick welting that crimps into the metal frame? I would also like to know what is included (obviously seat covers, but is there padding, burlap, etc.?).
Another question is about top material. The little bit that was left of mine was a smooth texture as opposed to the heavy grained material that the vendors are selling. Is there a supplier for the correct material?
Thanks for any input.
That certainly is a nice looking C-Cab in your profile. My only suggestion is to minimize the thickness of the seat backrest...unless you are very thin. There is not much room for the body. Don't know the dimensions of the seat (lower springs) but that can impact the height at which you sit and potentially makes you hit the steering wheel.
Thanks John. I should fit in the truck okay since I only run about $1.60 soaking wet. I think I'm going to just go by the original seat back remnants and buy vinyl to match the original from one of the vintage upholstery dealers since it seems that there isn't much information out there on these seats. I have enough of the seat back left for a good pattern. There was a layer of burlap under the original seat material and possibly a thin layer of cotton filler under that.
I also have a small piece of the original top that I'll try to match. I see most C cabs out there have metal strips that cover the edge of the top material. Mine did not have metal, it had the wide vinyl welting that hid the tacks in the center on the front and sides of the roof. The back of the roof was held in place by a row of the large headed tacks which were exposed. This was original to mine so I'm going to put it back that way.
What's all this worry about "original" ? A big roll of brown and pink floral vinyl can be had for cheap and you will certainly BE original in doing your truck with it !
I installed a kit a few years ago from Snyder's. It had everything needed. Yes, it crimps in the frame. Dan
Justin,
The closest thing available now that resembles the original top material used by Ford, is called Colonial Grain Top Material. It comes in wide width for use on tops. Do not get Cobra grain. Cobra Grain was used on Model A's and was the only top material available for many years.
I believe it is available from Classtique. Call Elizabeth with your dimensions and she can probably send you out what you need.
You'll need to put down a layer of unbleached muslin or light weight canvas duck first over the wood slats. Then a thin layer of cotton or Dacron for padding. DO NOT USE POLYFOAM! Polyfoam or urethane foam upholstery padding does not look or feel right.
Make sure the padding only slightly runs over down the sides. This will pad the sharp edges and corners of the wood and sheet metal. If you have too much padding on the sides, you get the awful "muffin top" look.
When you contact Elizabeth, you might want to get some "hidem" welt for the bottom edge of your top also.
PM me if you have more questions.
Mike, thanks for the tips on the roof. I was unsure of exactly what should go under the roof covering.
Dan, do you happen to have any pictures of your seat?
Just to set the record straight, the top material is NOT colonial! That is the type of top material that was available before we got the almost correct TURF GRAIN made. The Turf Grain is available from Langs, and Macs. I suggest you get it from Langs.
Not knowing much about C Cabs, is the bottom cushion in two pieces? In other words, is there a right and a left cushion?
Back to the top material, Eric, the maker of the correct top material tried hard to find the rollers for the original FORD GRAIN. He was unable to locate them, but what we have now is as close as we could get.
Thank you for the clarification Larry.
My mistake.
The bottom seat is two individual cushions. That is what the vendors sell. I have read about some one piece C cab bottom cushions but mine will be double. I have a fairly large piece of the original seat cover but the grain is a combination of mold and racoon feces...not nice.
I hope this helps. Dan
Yes, Dan, that helps. Thank you. That is a really solid looking truck you have. I like that it is original.
That is a nifty original truck, but I doubt that those seat covers are original. They are too nice to be that old. Apparently whoever redid them did them in the pattern of a Model T car, with sewn channels and buttons in the seat bottoms. I don't think the TT's were upholstered that way, but I'm open to being corrected if I'm wrong about that.
Probably Phil Mino would know. He has a few C Cab trucks.
Dan posted earlier that this upholstery was from Snyder's. I believe that the seams and buttons are also incorrect but they don't look bad.