So while I'm not sure if this should be added here, or to another post, I thought it might be helpful to add a how-to install the back seat skins. TOB, if you don’t want this clogging up your thread, I can delete it and just link it some place else.
My 2011 GT had the 401A leather option, but since I’m doing the front Recaros anyway with Shelby leather, I wanted to retain the back seat and have it match. My car is a daily driver and boulevard cruiser, so I thought keeping the back seat was a good idea.
I forgot to take a picture of the rear seat installed before I began. To remove the seat cushion, just find the two plastic “posts” under the seat that install to the floor pan. Push on them to release, then just lift up and it comes out. Takes two seconds.
Here’s the seat back after the cushion is removed.
Here’s the pivot sold the seats can fold down. It’s held in a place by one bolt that you’ll need a 13mm socket to remove it.
You’ll also need to remove the two bolts on either side of the seats. Then the whole seat back pops out.
We’ll start with the back seat cushion.
When you flip it over, you’ll see a bunch of plastic clips holding the skin on. The pics below are not all-inclusive, but you get the idea.
There is also on plastic push-pin on either side of the seat.
I used a trim removal tool to pop this. Besides the 13mm socket, it’s actually the only other tool you need to do this whole job.
A few of the clips push into slots in the plastic seat base, rather than clipping on an edge. The trim removal tool can help with these, or a pair of long-nose pliers might help too. Still, it’s not hard. Once you’ve unclipped everything, you can just pull the skin off. I removed most of them, but the clips on the leading edge were a little tight so I started peeling the skin off from the back all the way around the front, then the clips came off easily. Here’s what you’re left with .
Then grab your new skin, and start re-installing everything. This is a pretty straightforward job, with a bit of tugging to get everything seated just right. (pun intended) Make sure you get the seams driven down into the grooves in the foam so the Velcro attaches and pulls everything tight. Here’s the finished seat cushion.
Sit back and take some satisfaction at completing the cushion, because the seat backs are a little more involved. Still not difficult, but it takes a little longer. Here’s your starting place.
Flip it over, and look at the corner for a small Velcro tab. You’ll need to unhook this.
Moving to the other corner, you’ll have the familiar plastic joints that are used all over the interior upholstery. They’re basically interlocking plastic tabs that you snap together and fold over to hold everything tight. Once you take one apart, you’ll see how they work and go back together. Lift up, and pry them apart. This corner one is easy and you can actually slide the two pieces apart.
More of the same with the large clip at the seat bottom.
Once you get it open, lift the flap and you’ll find some Velcro strips attached in the middle. Detach these.
Now you’re going to need to start pushing the skin up toward the top of the seat. You won’t be able to remove it entirely because it will be stuck under the headrest, which we’ll remove next.
Flip it over and you’ll see the foam pad.
Lift the foam pad and you’ll see a metal box. This whole assembly is what holds the headrests in place.
There are two plastic buttons just above the metal box. It helps to have another set of hands for this part. Push both buttons and have someone pull the headrest out of the seat back assembly.
Here’s a better look at what everything looks like without the cushion in the way.
Now we start on the headrest.
The two flaps at the bottom of the headrest just snap together. There’s a little groove in one flap, and a t-shaped tab in the other.
Seam pulled apart. Hecho en Mexico.
Carefully pull the material out from around the headrest pushbutton.
After that, all you do is pull the headrest internals out of the skin. Very easy. Here’s what you’re left with.
This was not made in America, or Mexico I would guess.
Reinstall the new cover, and your headrest is done. Then, back to the seat back.
Here’s the new Shelby skin installed. Don’t forget to lace the seatback release pull through the side of each seat so you can fold your seats down later.
Do that twice, and you’ll have a complete rear seat all done. Mine still had a few wrinkles in certain places, probably from being boxes up, but I think that will release over time with some good old fashioned Phoenix heat.
Then reinstall them in your car, and voila! Done!
Finally, you’ll have your old skins left over in case you ever want to return to stock, or sell them.
The whole job takes maybe a few hours. It's pretty darn easy I think. Definitely makes the interior look sharp. With the low cost and availability of takeoffs, it is definitely an excellent upgrade. You spend all your time in the interior, so might as well make it look nice.
Paul.
My 2011 GT had the 401A leather option, but since I’m doing the front Recaros anyway with Shelby leather, I wanted to retain the back seat and have it match. My car is a daily driver and boulevard cruiser, so I thought keeping the back seat was a good idea.
I forgot to take a picture of the rear seat installed before I began. To remove the seat cushion, just find the two plastic “posts” under the seat that install to the floor pan. Push on them to release, then just lift up and it comes out. Takes two seconds.
Here’s the seat back after the cushion is removed.
Here’s the pivot sold the seats can fold down. It’s held in a place by one bolt that you’ll need a 13mm socket to remove it.
You’ll also need to remove the two bolts on either side of the seats. Then the whole seat back pops out.
We’ll start with the back seat cushion.
When you flip it over, you’ll see a bunch of plastic clips holding the skin on. The pics below are not all-inclusive, but you get the idea.
There is also on plastic push-pin on either side of the seat.
I used a trim removal tool to pop this. Besides the 13mm socket, it’s actually the only other tool you need to do this whole job.
A few of the clips push into slots in the plastic seat base, rather than clipping on an edge. The trim removal tool can help with these, or a pair of long-nose pliers might help too. Still, it’s not hard. Once you’ve unclipped everything, you can just pull the skin off. I removed most of them, but the clips on the leading edge were a little tight so I started peeling the skin off from the back all the way around the front, then the clips came off easily. Here’s what you’re left with .
Then grab your new skin, and start re-installing everything. This is a pretty straightforward job, with a bit of tugging to get everything seated just right. (pun intended) Make sure you get the seams driven down into the grooves in the foam so the Velcro attaches and pulls everything tight. Here’s the finished seat cushion.
Sit back and take some satisfaction at completing the cushion, because the seat backs are a little more involved. Still not difficult, but it takes a little longer. Here’s your starting place.
Flip it over, and look at the corner for a small Velcro tab. You’ll need to unhook this.
Moving to the other corner, you’ll have the familiar plastic joints that are used all over the interior upholstery. They’re basically interlocking plastic tabs that you snap together and fold over to hold everything tight. Once you take one apart, you’ll see how they work and go back together. Lift up, and pry them apart. This corner one is easy and you can actually slide the two pieces apart.
More of the same with the large clip at the seat bottom.
Once you get it open, lift the flap and you’ll find some Velcro strips attached in the middle. Detach these.
Now you’re going to need to start pushing the skin up toward the top of the seat. You won’t be able to remove it entirely because it will be stuck under the headrest, which we’ll remove next.
Flip it over and you’ll see the foam pad.
Lift the foam pad and you’ll see a metal box. This whole assembly is what holds the headrests in place.
There are two plastic buttons just above the metal box. It helps to have another set of hands for this part. Push both buttons and have someone pull the headrest out of the seat back assembly.
Here’s a better look at what everything looks like without the cushion in the way.
Now we start on the headrest.
The two flaps at the bottom of the headrest just snap together. There’s a little groove in one flap, and a t-shaped tab in the other.
Seam pulled apart. Hecho en Mexico.
Carefully pull the material out from around the headrest pushbutton.
After that, all you do is pull the headrest internals out of the skin. Very easy. Here’s what you’re left with.
This was not made in America, or Mexico I would guess.
Reinstall the new cover, and your headrest is done. Then, back to the seat back.
Here’s the new Shelby skin installed. Don’t forget to lace the seatback release pull through the side of each seat so you can fold your seats down later.
Do that twice, and you’ll have a complete rear seat all done. Mine still had a few wrinkles in certain places, probably from being boxes up, but I think that will release over time with some good old fashioned Phoenix heat.
Then reinstall them in your car, and voila! Done!
Finally, you’ll have your old skins left over in case you ever want to return to stock, or sell them.
The whole job takes maybe a few hours. It's pretty darn easy I think. Definitely makes the interior look sharp. With the low cost and availability of takeoffs, it is definitely an excellent upgrade. You spend all your time in the interior, so might as well make it look nice.
Paul.
