Removing cloth upholstery

[Pyral]

I am going to add heated seats, I got the original switches, the elements out of a Rav4, and the fuse holders so I can add them to the fuse box.

I started today and immediately got blocked by removing the upholstery. I have the cloth seats with the vinyl sides. The seat fabric has a metal hoop sewn into the hem which metal rings go around to stretch it tight around the edges. The metal rings hold the hoop/upholstery to another hoop attached to the seat frame on the bottom of the seat to keep it stretched tightly around the whole cushion. This is not the arrangement I expected.

Since I’m not removing the seat, this arrangement isn’t easy to disassemble or reassemble. I was wondering if anyone has ever had to partially undo their upholstery and if so what was the best way?

 

[phattyduck]

I am going to add heated seats, I got the original switches, the elements out of a Rav4, and the fuse holders so I can add them to the fuse box.

I started today and immediately got blocked by removing the upholstery. I have the cloth seats with the vinyl sides. The seat fabric has a metal hoop sewn into the hem which metal rings go around to stretch it tight around the edges. The metal rings hold the hoop/upholstery to another hoop attached to the seat frame on the bottom of the seat to keep it stretched tightly around the whole cushion. This is not the arrangement I expected.

Since I’m not removing the seat, this arrangement isn’t easy to disassemble or reassemble. I was wondering if anyone has ever had to partially undo their upholstery and if so what was the best way?

Just remove the seat from the 4Runner. At that point, it is pretty clear what to do to get the upholstery off. Plenty of hog rings to remove, and there is no way to get to all of them with the seat in the vehicle.

The seat bottoms unbolt from the frame to make the process easier.

-Charlie

 

[T4R2014]

I second what was stated above. Only GM makes seats that come apart that easily. Get yourself a hog ring plier kit and take pictures to keep track of the original hog ring placement. Be careful with removing the side plastic, they get very brittle and may require some ziptie macgyvering or plastiweld.

 

[Pyral]

I second what was stated above. Only GM makes seats that come apart that easily. Get yourself a hog ring plier kit and take pictures to keep track of the original hog ring placement. Be careful with removing the side plastic, they get very brittle and may require some ziptie macgyvering or plastiweld.

You talking about the plastic by the reclining handle? That won't be an issue.

My bigger worry is snapping the other seat mounts off again. Last time I snugged up seat bolts I ripped a mount off, I don't know how the other 3 will treat me.

 

[calimobber]

Def remove the rear from the car and turn it upside down. It's been. while since I did this but I undid metal rings that came on it. I think I just cut a bunch off with good dikes. pull back the seat liner and put in the pad. I mostly used good zip ties instead of the metal rings. Made things alot easier since you can put it on and slowly tighten as everything is lined up. it's been over 5 years and everything been working since.

 

[Marasmus' Toyotas]

I am going to add heated seats, I got the original switches, the elements out of a Rav4, and the fuse holders so I can add them to the fuse box.

I started today and immediately got blocked by removing the upholstery. I have the cloth seats with the vinyl sides. The seat fabric has a metal hoop sewn into the hem which metal rings go around to stretch it tight around the edges. The metal rings hold the hoop/upholstery to another hoop attached to the seat frame on the bottom of the seat to keep it stretched tightly around the whole cushion. This is not the arrangement I expected.

Since I’m not removing the seat, this arrangement isn’t easy to disassemble or reassemble. I was wondering if anyone has ever had to partially undo their upholstery and if so what was the best way?

I hope you got some progress done, I stripped a pair of cloth seats not too long ago.

I suppose you could do it in a vehicle if you removed the console and unbolted the seat to maneuver it around in the car. As previous members have said it would be much easier to remove the seats from the car itself. If you want the service manual procedures just reach out to me (I've got the 2002 Service manual), or I can walk you through it.