General Full leather interior swap

[Alexcubek]

Hi all, I'am purchasing a leather interior for my 500, mine has the under seat storage box for the passenger seat, the leather doesn't, is it possible to convert it? as I don't want the loose this feature as I keep my ipod in there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[typecastboy]

Can you remove the seat base? Turn the seat upside down. There needs to be a hole each side to accept the pivot mechanism. Have a look at your old seats you'll see what I mean, if not, presuming the seat frame is the same you should be able to drill the holes. From memory the holes are about the size of a pound coin.

Nice seats by the way. Don't forget to disconnect the earth terminal before you unplug the airbag leads.

 

[Alexcubek]

Can you remove the seat base? Turn the seat upside down. There needs to be a hole each side to accept the pivot mechanism. Have a look at your old seats you'll see what I mean, if not, presuming the seat frame is the same you should be able to drill the holes. From memory the holes are about the size of a pound coin.

Nice seats by the way. Don't forget to disconnect the earth terminal before you unplug the airbag leads.

I will have a look, thank you for the heads up about the earth terminal, as I would have just unplugged them. Is that so they don't get any error messages on reinstall? or so they don't deploy?

 

[typecastboy]

Both really. You should always disconnect it when playing with airbags.

 

[John202020]

Both really. You should always disconnect it when playing with airbags.

And also avoid any static build up, ideally a "shorting plug" should be inserted in the air bag end connector so there's no chance of static going through the firing mechanism. Honda used to put one beside each air bag connection.

 

[typecastboy]

And also avoid any static build up, ideally a "shorting plug" should be inserted in the air bag end connector so there's no chance of static going through the firing mechanism. Honda used to put one beside each air bag connection.

I've seen these on eBay but never bothered to be honest.

 

[John202020]

I've seen these on eBay but never bothered to be honest.

If you take the right precautions you're probably fine I agree it's just a second safeguard.

 

[muttleysdad]

It's fairly easy to do. I fitted the seats out of an Abarth into mine a couple of years ago. I changed the whole chassis on the passenger seat to keep the one with the under seat storage. It was a straight swap, a little fiddly but only took half an hour to do.

 

[306maxi]

Is that the interior you've ordered? Have you seen the damage to the seat? I'd wait to get an interior in better condition.

 

[muttleysdad]

Looks like the previous owner was rather well endowed

 

[Alexcubek]

Is that the interior you've ordered? Have you seen the damage to the seat? I'd wait to get an interior in better condition.

Its not damaged at all, its the indentation of the headrest of the drivers seat that was stored upside down on top of that seat. Its in great condition. The dent has come out already.

 

[Alexcubek]

It's fairly easy to do. I fitted the seats out of an Abarth into mine a couple of years ago. I changed the whole chassis on the passenger seat to keep the one with the under seat storage. It was a straight swap, a little fiddly but only took half an hour to do.

How does the bottom squab come off the chassis?

 

[Alexcubek]

Well todays the day. I have earmarked the whole weekend for the swap. Thanks everyone for the advice, I hope it goes smoothly, as a bit apprehensive as I have never tackled seats with airbags before. But I do really want to change over the passenger seat box, as I think its a great place to stash my ipod.

 

[typecastboy]

Never taken a bottom chassis off before, but I have stripped damaged seats down to give the seat frame to a scrap man so there are lots of wires that are secured to that bottom chassis like the airbag wires and the seatbelt wire, so you will just need to unclip those.

Once you get the seat upside down it will make much more sense. The actual pivoting mechanism is just held on by a bolt each side and then it lifts off. Don't think it will take you all day to do it, you'll be in the pub by lunchtime

Good luck, look forward to seeing the picture of it all installed.

 

[Alexcubek]

Never taken a bottom chassis off before, but I have stripped damaged seats down to give the seat frame to a scrap man so there are lots of wires that are secured to that bottom chassis like the airbag wires and the seatbelt wire, so you will just need to unclip those.

Once you get the seat upside down it will make much more sense. The actual pivoting mechanism is just held on by a bolt each side and then it lifts off. Don't think it will take you all day to do it, you'll be in the pub by lunchtime

Good luck, look forward to seeing the picture of it all installed.

Thank you. I also have an abarth spoiler, whats best to stick it on?

 

[typecastboy]

I'm sure others will be able to give you a fuller answer but I have used Tiger Seal to stick various bits on, including bonding new wings.

 

[Alexcubek]

Well, thats the interior all swapped out, including changing the passenger seat storage box and bracketry over. Took about 4 hrs all in, will post some pics once I have cleaned the car as the exterior is filthy. Couple of wee bits missing. The internal door handles are brushed silver and he has only provided one so put my chrome ones on and is passable, but what really stands out is the drivers side cover for the door card bolts is missing, mine is grey so is noticeable.

 

[typecastboy]

I might have a black one if you want it?

 

[Alexcubek]

I have messaged the seller, will see what he says, but if you could keep it just in case, thank you.

 

[Alexcubek]

Well as promised, here are the pics if the interior all cleaned up and installed.