Putting in OEM Leather Interior Questions

[MikeL]

So I got some OEM leather interior seats (front and back) from another forum member and I'm gonna install it this weekend I think. I have a 1LT/RS so just swapping up to OEM leather interior. I have a few questions if anyone has done anything like this:

How hard will it be as a first time interior install?

When disabling the airbags, How long should I have the battery unplugged for before messing with the seats?

Do I need adhesive (like 3M spray or anything)? I have hog-rings and hog-ring pliers.

How hard is it to transfer airbags from my old seats to the new ones?

Any advice from those who have done it or things I might have missed?

I'll try to make a DIY thread after I'm done because I can't find any in that section.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by MikeL

So I got some OEM leather interior from another forum member and I'm gonna install it this weekend I think. I have a 1LT/RS so just swapping up to OEM leather interior. I have a few questions if anyone has done anything like this:

How hard will it be as a first time interior install?
What leather pieces are you installing? That makes all the difference. I'm guessing steering wheel, shifter, seats, and armrest
When disabling the airbags, How long should I have the battery unplugged for before messing with the seats?
When I swapped out my steering wheel I waited 20 minutes for the "excess" power to drain off. Some people say that you don't need to wait that long, but I'm a fan of playing it safe.

Do I need adhesive (like 3M spray or anything)? I have hog-rings and hog-ring pliers.
You shouldn't, but I need to know what you're installing

How hard is it to transfer airbags from my old seats to the new ones?
The airbag is on the seat not on the cover so it shouldn't be too hard. You just have to unclip one or two wiring harnesses.

Any advice from those who have done it or things I might have missed?
You will at some point get really frustrated and start cursing. I don't know when this is going to happen, but it will. Don't feel bad, we all have moments like that.

I'll try to make a DIY thread after I'm done because I can't find any in that section.

Answers are in red

[MikeL]

It's just Front Seats and Back Seat.

[Russell James]

Make sure to remove the airbag fuses also. There is backup reserve power to the airbags even with the battery disconnected. No specific time on the battery, just disconnect and remove all the airbag fuses.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Russell James

Make sure to remove the airbag fuses also. There is backup reserve power to the airbags even with the battery disconnected. No specific time on the battery, just disconnect and remove all the airbag fuses.

Thanks for the tip!

[sliverice]

Originally Posted by MikeL

So I got some OEM leather interior from another forum member and I'm gonna install it this weekend I think. I have a 1LT/RS so just swapping up to OEM leather interior. I have a few questions if anyone has done anything like this:

How hard will it be as a first time interior install?

When disabling the airbags, How long should I have the battery unplugged for before messing with the seats?

Do I need adhesive (like 3M spray or anything)? I have hog-rings and hog-ring pliers.

How hard is it to transfer airbags from my old seats to the new ones?

Any advice from those who have done it or things I might have missed?

I'll try to make a DIY thread after I'm done because I can't find any in that section.

you are going to go threw all this trouble for seats. what you spent on this and your time. you could have got a ss wow

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by sliverice

you are going to go threw all this trouble for seats. what you spent on this and your time. you could have got a ss wow

OTD? Not even close. My car was $26k MSRP, OTD about $29K. For a 1SS OTD would be probably around $35K. So a weekend worth of work, $5-6K? I wish I got paid that well. Also my reasoning for a V6 is I'm under 25, insurance would kill me on a SS even with a clean record, and I mean clean.. no tickets/accidents at all.

[sliverice]

ok good luck with your mod

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by sliverice

ok good luck with your mod

Thanks, hopefully it turns out well.

[oldfriend]

Originally Posted by MikeL

Thanks, hopefully it turns out well.

hey man , i would have offered my help but tomorrow is the graduation party for my kid so cant do it ,good luck anyway !

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by oldfriend

hey man , i would have offered my help but tomorrow is the graduation party for my kid so cant do it ,good luck anyway !

Congrats to your son/daughter! Thanks for the offer to help! I appreciate it a lot .

[chevyk1]

this is one of the few mods that are on my to do list. Really want suede sears but if found a good price on the leather would do that. Keep us posted on how it goes.

[MikeL]

I might hold off unless I can get some help, the rear bolts on for my back seats are being difficult. First off I'm worried about stripping them as I seem to be slipping a lot, although I have the right size socket for them. Also I got one fairly loose then it started to get super tight again, which usually means pressure is being applied by an upward force on the screw, but I couldn't change it. I just don't feel comfortable possibly messing up these bolts on a car less then 3 weeks from the dealer lol. I will work on my other mods like short shifter and gauge pack for now. At least those don't have air bags in them...

If anyone has anymore advice I would love it, but I may just wait for the money and have it professionally installed. I got some quotes and it usually runs about $700-800, a lot of money, but it's either that or sell them to someone who would actually know how to install them and just keep my interior.