I just noticed on my leather covers that they don't come with the holes for the headrest brackets.

Did you just punch them out with a screw driver of some sort?

 

You will need to cut holes for the headrest posts as well as any levers/switches that are now covered by the new leather. Cut small slits big enough to put the plastic headrest guides back into the seat, they just simply slide down into the seat frame.


from the posted instructions, the link is now working for me.

 

^ Correct, however i did not do the passenger seat leaver, i think it looks cleaner this way and i dont think i have ever used the leaver in the back, i always reach and grab the leaver on the side to also hold the seat from smacking down, maybe its just me though =/

Regarding headrest holes, i first punched them though with screwdriver, then aimed the headrest as its supposed to go in, then used exacto knife to cut the holes bigger and bigger untill it was a tight fit,

dont over do it, best to under do it and do it few times and get it right. then f9ck it up the first time :P Good luck post results

 

Did you use a hog ring plier? I dont think i can get this done without. Spent an hour trying to put a hog ring and gave up...

Also which part are you attaching the hog ring on the leather covers? The seams have these white fabrics on them but they ripped out easily.

 

Hog ring pliers are cheap, just buy some. I got two pair from the Matco guy for like $35 I think. Trying to do it with normal pliers is just going to be frustrating.

The white seams should have metal rods in them. You may have to transfer the metal rods from the old seat covers to the new leathers. Don't rip them off, then you have nowhere for the hog rings to attach to the seat cover.

 

There is no metal rod that came off the oem cloth seats.

The metal rods are inbedded in the seat foam and the oem cloths had plastic rods on them.

I found some hog pliers for $15 at amazon.com

 

Then transfer the plastic rods. There has to be a rod in both the seat and the seat cover for the hog ring to hold.

 

I didnt transfer any metal rods form the old seats, the white cloth is enough to hold it in place, just dont clip the rings on the edge of the white fabric, clip them half or more then half the way and it will stay in place like a champ.

 

What eBay store did you buy these from? I have a pair very similar to yours, a little different, mine are black/blue. They look really nice.

 

I used metal cloth hangers worked fine...

 

Maybe that is why it appears loose. Plus, I'd be willing to bet the wear and tear of getting in and out of the car will be enough to pull the hog rings through the white cloth. Not to bash, just my opinion based on experience.

 

ok, i get it now, you can cut the plastic bars off the oem cloth seats and the way the leathers are designed is that it allows you to slide/slip in the plastic bars into the seams.

Just gotta wait till the hog pliers come and should be done. Besides the hogs, it took me 30~40 min to remove the seats out of the car and to remove the oem cloth covers.

I was surprised how light the oem seats where (manual, no airbags)

 

How are you guys finishing up the bottoms for both back and bottom covers?

OEM stretches long enough so you can hold them down with hog ring to where the cushion springs are but the leathers are too short.

Also how did you guys hide the excess zippers?

 

Do you mind posting a link to the ebay buyer again. Link is dead. I see some seats for 200 and others for 500. Mostly wondering if those cheaper ones are decent quality.

 

You can get hog ring pliers at Harbor Freight $4.99, I purchased a straight pair and a pair bent at a angle for ease of installation. On the OEM cloth seats just cut the white plastic rods from the old seat covers and put em inside the pockets on the new leathers. Mine came out sooo nice. I will post pics and maybe add to the DIY later.

 

I have thought about having the OEM seats modified / extended to be similiar to a Bride/Sparco seat. I would like to have the stock bolsters built up with additional foam then covered with leather. I was thinking this could be done to the side bolsters, thigh supports and back supports. Feedback??

 

^ Why not just get the Bride's. they are much lighter, stronger and they are what u are describing as your needs.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-03...Q5fAccessories

did you guys buy from this guy? So the seats install perfectly/tight? Can you list a all that is needed? (tools) Hog rings, hog ring cutters? pliers, adhesive spray? thanks

 

^ This is the seller I got my leathers from. I checked all of his current auctions and found a make an offer thread, I think I went $350.00 this included the shipping. They ONLY took 8 days to arrive & you can get hog ring pliers at Harbor Freight. I guess I really should post up some pics, I will be working on my car anyway.

Nice quality and leather.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissa...item1c107018cf

I'm getting these.