seat swap / skin

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 04 Jan 2021, 18:11

So close! I was at the parts yard today and found a 2004 S80 with great seats, same color as mine. But they are not the same as my 2001 V70 - different connectors, at least.. So how hard is it to skin a couple of seats?

Post by **Blacklab467** » 04 Jan 2021, 19:23

I did mine on a 2003 XC70 last summer, It's not too difficult. I probably have some pictures on my phone to help guide you if you need. The seat skins come off easily by snipping the hog rings with side cutters. It's a little difficult removing the headrests if you haven't figured out how yet. I put new bases on and new backs both off passenger side seats and they're both mint! The only thing is that I now have a lumbar cutout on the drivers left side of the seat but I put a cutout behind the hole and you can't even see it.
I reattached the bolsters with small zip ties to replace the hog rings, probably about 20 per seat as I remember.
Hint if you find some good ones in the boneyard: you can remove both the base and back skins without removing the seats. I would definitely take your seats out to reskin them. Job takes about 2 hours a side and a half dozen bandaids , take lots of pictures when you're removing those springs for the lumbar support so you know where to reattach them!
It was about the cheapest improvement for the best results, I think I paid $ 30 a seat for essentially new skins.
What colour is your interior?

Post by **abscate** » 04 Jan 2021, 19:50

Pictures in my maintenance thread for my 2005, Catherine, here

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=94473&hilit=Seat+v70

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 05 Jan 2021, 07:12

the plate says AA 81 - a light camel tan.
31
AA81
601-46

Post by **oragex** » 05 Jan 2021, 07:24

The skins and cushions are the same, the rest of the seat (rail, connectors, srs) are different.
It is easier - and perhaps enough - to swap only the bottom cushion with skin. You still need to detach the seat from the floor, so look first if you can access all 4 bolts. How hard it is? It depends on how skilled you feel The bottom passenger cushion fits perfectly on the driver's side. And blacklab is right, have blood perfusion bag ready but more important stay ready to clean any blood stains off the seats skin
.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 05 Jan 2021, 07:33

Thanks and sorry about the multiple images. I'm a newby at picture posting....

The parts yard seat is almost all the way back, so I don't know if I can get to the rear bolts. I like the idea of yanking the seat and seat back out and leaving the seat base in place..

I don't mind a little blood sacrifice if it works

Post by **Blacklab467** » 05 Jan 2021, 07:47

I was able to remove both skins easily with side cutters and a screwdriver to unclip the hog rings with seats in place and bolted down, even with the console in place. You will have to remove your seats to install the skins. The seat backs "unroll" from the bottom up, snipping hog rings and removing springs ( and taking pictures) along the way. Installing the seat back is done by turning the skin inside out and rolling it down from the top, reattaching springs and hog rings ( or zip ties) along the way.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 05 Jan 2021, 07:56

This is what you'll end up with if you put a passenger side skin on the drivers side, the lumbar hole hides behind the seatbelt and B-pillar, completely imperceptible. My side bolster was ripped and worn and the base was split so I had to change the seat base and back skin.

: Seat1.jpg (28 KiB) Viewed 4173 times

: Seat2.jpg (23.74 KiB) Viewed 4173 times

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 05 Jan 2021, 08:02

Thanks - I need both sides.so I won't have the L/R swap issue.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 05 Jan 2021, 09:04

I know but it's hard to find a good drivers back so you may want to take a passenger side back and stick it on the driver's side like I did.