Date:         Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:47:00 -0700
Reply-To:     Stuart Jeff <stuart@STUARTJEFF.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart Jeff <stuart@STUARTJEFF.COM>
Subject:      Replacing seats?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I'm not having any luck with the archive search today but anyway...

I've had my 84 Westy for three months now and my number one complaint about it is how terrible the driver's seat is. Mine is in terrible condition and I get poked by springs the entire time I'm cruising along the highway at a blinding 60 mph. I'd like to do something about it but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do or how to do it. 

I've looked around and found odds and ends here and there but what I'd really like is a one stop shop. If I'm going to go mucking about with my seat then I figure I might as well recover/recushion both seats as well as the rear bed with all the same fabric. It would also be nice to find some replacement door and interior body panels that match. I've seen sites that offer full interiors for the old busses but I haven't run into anything for the Vanagon. The little that I have seen has all been geared towards the later years with blue or grey interiors. I've got the striped with the brown in mine and I actually like the look but my stuff is just in terrible shape. Also, I'm just not all that confident in my re-upholstery skills. Are there shops on the east coast that can be paid to do such things for a few hundred bucks?

Here's some info that I'd love:
- are there seats from other vehicles that are known to work with an 84 Vanagon?
- is there a source for that striped fabric for the front and rear seats?
- if I replace the cushions in my seats will they actually be comfortable?
- is there a one-stop shop for interior restorations for the Vanagon?
- do I really have to spend $1400 on a recario seat to actually get a decent chair to sit in while I'm driving my van?

Bonus points if anyone can point me towards a place that can replace all my upholstery with vinyl (I've got a dog and things get nasty in my van quickly on trips)

Thanks for all the help,
Stuart