This is our original '97-'04...
This is our original '97-'04 (C5) seat from Project C5X. Looks a little ratty, doesn't it?
Most of us C5 owners have considered updating the interior of our cars in some way at some point, and many of us have done just that. Updating the interior is one of the easiest and most dramatic changes you can make to immediately change the entire look and feel of the car.
There are so many options when it comes to color and design that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Since Mid America Motorworks produces many of its own interior products on-site at its Effingham, Illinois, campus under the Performance Choice brand, the company has made ordering your next interior as painless as possible with its excellent print and online catalogs. With these tools, it's easy to choose exactly what interior components will go well with your particular color combination.
When most C5 owners contemplate re-covering their C5's seats, they usually develop big lumps in their throats almost immediately. Most of us just can't imagine re-covering our own seats, yours truly included. But while it's no easy task, it's not the massive job most would imagine. When it came time to re-cover the seats for Project C5X, we happened to be at the Mid America Funfest and elected to document the procedure step-by-step. Matt Daniels performed the seat re-cover for us, so let's check out how involved this job really was. Jerry Heasley was there, so we got great photography as well. I want to thank Matt Daniels and Nancy Bushur for their help with this article. Let's get to it!
| Difficulty Index - 2 Wrenches |
| Anyone's Project: no tools required | 1 Wrench |
| Beginner: basic tools | 2 Wrenches |
| Experienced: special tools | 3 Wrenches |
| Accomplished: special tools and outside help | 4 Wrenches |
| Professionals Only: send this work out | 5 Wrenches |
Matt begins by using a small...
Matt begins by using a small pocket screwdriver to remove the C-type clip from the back of the seatback release handle.
Next, he uses a Phillips screwdriver...
Next, he uses a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws from the seat-control bezel.
The harness is disconnected...
The harness is disconnected from the back side of the seat control.
Three hog rings are removed...
Three hog rings are removed from the seat-bottom tail.
Matt unattaches the Velcro...
Matt unattaches the Velcro from the seat cover and the seat foam. Make sure you don't tear the Velcro off the seat foam.
Next, he unclips the J-channel...
Next, he unclips the J-channel located on the bottom of the seatback.
The seatback release bezel...
The seatback release bezel is removed (note inward facing clips).
Matt removes the six fasteners...
Matt removes the six fasteners from in between the seat insert and seat bolsters with a specially made tool.
He then unzips the seat insert...
He then unzips the seat insert from the headrest area.
New fasteners are inserted;...
New fasteners are inserted; they'll hold the new foam in place.
New foam bolsters are inserted...
New foam bolsters are inserted over seat-frame bolsters.
It's time to center the new...
It's time to center the new seatback cover over the new foam.
Matt wraps the seat-cover...
Matt wraps the seat-cover pocket, located at the bottom of the seat bolster, around new seat foam.
New fasteners are inserted...
New fasteners are inserted in the seat bolsters' plastic eyelets that attach to the frame.
Matt starts the zipper for...
Matt starts the zipper for the seat headrest.
Velcro strips are positioned...
Velcro strips are positioned on the seat cover to the new insert foam.
Matt snaps together the J-channel...
Matt snaps together the J-channel located on the back side of the center insert.
He zips the center insert...
He zips the center insert into the mated zipper located in the headrest area.
Matt positions the plastic...
Matt positions the plastic eyelet on the center insert with the plastic eyelet on the seat bolster.
The J-channel is snapped together...
The J-channel is snapped together on the bottom side of the seatback.
The seatback is almost done,...
The seatback is almost done, but to properly do the job, Matt has to move on to the seat cushion.
First, he cuts the control-panel...
First, he cuts the control-panel area out of the seat-bottom foam.
Next, he attaches and positions...
Next, he attaches and positions Velcro strips on the seat bottom.
Cuffs located at rear of seat...
Cuffs located at rear of seat bottom bolsters are carefully notched.
A hog ring is used to connect...
A hog ring is used to connect the seat-bottom tail to the seat-bottom side panel.
Matt attaches the drawstring...
Matt attaches the drawstring located on the bottom side of the seat bottom.
Using hog rings, he attaches...
Using hog rings, he attaches the seat-bottom tail to the bottom side of the seat frame.
He then cuts reattachment...
He then cuts reattachment points for the seat-control bezel.
The seat-release bezel is...
The seat-release bezel is reinserted on the seatback.
The seat release bezel is...
The seat release bezel is pushed firmly in place.
The first Project C5X seat...
The first Project C5X seat covering is now complete.
Matt's next job is to indentify...
Matt's next job is to indentify the hole placements for reattaching the seat-control bezel.
He then prepares the holes...
He then prepares the holes for the installation of the seat-control bezel.
The harness is inserted into...
The harness is inserted into the seat control.
Matt inserts the C-type clip...
Matt inserts the C-type clip into the back of the seatback release bezel.
He presses the bezel firmly...
He presses the bezel firmly onto the seatback release. The seat is ready for reinstallation back in the car. Now wasn't that easy?