Help me decide on my bench covers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vectorit · 01-09-2014, 09:56 PM

I am finally in a position to have all three benches in my Suburban rebuilt and covered.

Due to cost of materials, mainly the fabric I am having a bit of trouble deciding.

Do I go with the fabric insert, or do I go with all vinyl with pleats?

The vinyl is 49.00 a yard, and the OE fabric is 89.00 a yard from SMS.

Material cost for just the vinyl for all three benches will be about 540.00
If I go with the cloth insert, the cost will be close to a grand for both vinyl and cloth.

For the three bench covers to be made from scratch, the labor cost will be over 1600.00

Here are some examples of the patterns I am looking at to give an idea between cloth insert, and the one with all vinyl with pleats.

The color will be the light green.

vectorit · 01-09-2014, 10:01 PM

I am more partial to the cloth inserts, but the cost is tough to come to terms with at the moment.

The labor to do all of the benches includes rebuilding all of the frames, springs, and clean up of all of the tracks. Basically drop off the three benches complete, and pick them up all redone and ready to bolt in.

SS Tim · 01-10-2014, 04:32 AM

Chris,
You have waited a long time to cover the seats. My understanding was to get correct, original style covers for your truck. Thinking at this point going the cheaper route might just be something you will regret sooner than later. Labor costs are high for a custom set of covers either way. As nice as your truck looks, I think, in the end you will be happiest with what you wanted in the first place, the OEM look. Maybe a picture will help some. :-)

**richard2717** · 01-10-2014, 09:16 AM

I agree with Tim

Bigdav160 · 01-10-2014, 10:12 AM

Here's the seat in my Suburban. It's kind of a square body style. I find it comfortable.

**LockDoc** · 01-10-2014, 02:29 PM

-
I am a cloth type guy. I do not like sitting on vinyl or leather, so my vote went cloth inserts. Plus I think the inserts have more class...

LockDoc

vectorit · 01-10-2014, 04:32 PM

I slept on this after crunching the numbers, and in the end you are right Tim I would be happiest with the cloth insert seats.

I went ahead and ordered the materials from SMS just now, and I should have them on my doorstep in a week or so.

Getting the seats done will take some time, since the shop I am using is very popular and has quite the queue for getting work done by them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Chris,
You have waited a long time to cover the seats. My understanding was to get correct, original style covers for your truck. Thinking at this point going the cheaper route might just be something you will regret sooner than later. Labor costs are high for a custom set of covers either way. As nice as your truck looks, I think, in the end you will be happiest with what you wanted in the first place, the OEM look. Maybe a picture will help some. :-)

jaywashburn · 01-12-2014, 01:21 PM

You won't regret getting the cloth inserts. Good luck.

**paul mora** · 01-12-2014, 09:32 PM

I bout herringbone ,material for inserts on the internet for 19.99 a yard had the the covers made green to match looks great

Pm with your number Can give you more info

CG · 01-14-2014, 01:41 AM

Well as usual I'm late to the party, but I think you made the right choice. Considering the history of your burb I sure don't see you ever getting rid of it, might as well do it up right. You have with every thing else.

vectorit · 01-24-2014, 10:56 PM

Materials have arrived!

dougo · 01-24-2014, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vectorit

Materials have arrived!

Wow, Chris. You no doubt made the right choice... The materials look great.... Looking forward to seeing more pics!

Very nice....

-Doug

SS Tim · 01-24-2014, 11:53 PM

Very nice!

**LockDoc** · 01-25-2014, 12:50 AM

-
Yup, that'll work... Gonna' look great for sure.

LockDoc

ETsC10 · 01-25-2014, 01:01 AM

Oh, that fabric is so beautiful! Without a doubt, the very best choice.

I'm a bit partial, as my '68 Custom came with the black cloth interior.
Unfortunately, the seat covering was toast by the time I got my truck.

I'm with the rest of the posters...can't wait to see the final results

**70cst** · 01-28-2014, 12:17 PM

Luv the color.

Its interesting that when I was 10-20 yrs of age and those greens were the in color...
I hated green!

But now in my old age I like the greens

Thus ... I luv your green interior

And now you know

vectorit · 01-28-2014, 04:42 PM

Yea, growing up with the burb I wasn't a fan of the colors either, now I like it.

vectorit · 01-30-2014, 09:51 PM

Minor set back.. After comparing the new cloth with the original cloth, they do not match.

After communicating with SMS, they are sending a roll of the fabric I want with a return label for the fabric to go back!

Now that is how customer service is done!

**LockDoc** · 01-30-2014, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vectorit

Minor set back.. After comparing the new cloth with the original cloth, they do not match.

After communicating with SMS, they are sending a roll of the fabric I want with a return label for the fabric to go back!

Now that is how customer service is done!

That is a bummer. I'm glad SMS is working with you on it. I have heard good things about them.

LockDoc

ETsC10 · 01-30-2014, 10:34 PM

X2

SMS is one of the most dearly loved companies I can think
of in the restoration hobby. Top-drawer all the way.

A few years back I heard that a they had just bought a humongous
amount of NOS fabric, of all sorts.

View Poll Results: Cloth insert or all vinyl
Cloth insert	11	91.67%
All vinyl	1	8.33%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

01-09-2014, 09:56 PM	#1
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Help me decide on my bench covers I am finally in a position to have all three benches in my Suburban rebuilt and covered. Due to cost of materials, mainly the fabric I am having a bit of trouble deciding. Do I go with the fabric insert, or do I go with all vinyl with pleats? The vinyl is 49.00 a yard, and the OE fabric is 89.00 a yard from SMS. Material cost for just the vinyl for all three benches will be about 540.00 If I go with the cloth insert, the cost will be close to a grand for both vinyl and cloth. For the three bench covers to be made from scratch, the labor cost will be over 1600.00 Here are some examples of the patterns I am looking at to give an idea between cloth insert, and the one with all vinyl with pleats. The color will be the light green. Attached Images __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU Last edited by vectorit; 01-09-2014 at 10:03 PM.

01-09-2014, 10:01 PM	#2
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers I am more partial to the cloth inserts, but the cost is tough to come to terms with at the moment. The labor to do all of the benches includes rebuilding all of the frames, springs, and clean up of all of the tracks. Basically drop off the three benches complete, and pick them up all redone and ready to bolt in. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

01-10-2014, 04:32 AM	#3
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Chris, You have waited a long time to cover the seats. My understanding was to get correct, original style covers for your truck. Thinking at this point going the cheaper route might just be something you will regret sooner than later. Labor costs are high for a custom set of covers either way. As nice as your truck looks, I think, in the end you will be happiest with what you wanted in the first place, the OEM look. Maybe a picture will help some. :-) Attached Images __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

01-10-2014, 09:16 AM	#4
richard2717 Equal opportunity joke ofender Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Eastern Shore of MD Posts: 9,952	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers I agree with Tim __________________ Members I have met. Dually Jams, OlBlue60, ScottH, Tommyboy24, Dujobo, Warbucket, 2003 Silverado, Notsolo, my90k5, 6t727t2, Special-K ,Jack_71C10, tabarcus,72blazer_mud_bogger,pwdcougar,RSavage,EricSean,1Rippen6,invicta455,tennaragtop71,arks, Kendal,Bennett68C10, Perpendicular, Chainsawman, McGeesCustomMinis,ShortbedClayton,longblue72,6768chevylover,Tim71,Travisarmenta,Ol' Drippy,fleetmitch,georgieb51,Dave,bcnya2,Dadsburb https://paypal.me/6772GMtruckparts Most women like the strong, silent type… Fortunately for me, my wife prefers the out-of-shape, mouthy type.

01-10-2014, 10:12 AM	#5
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Here's the seat in my Suburban. It's kind of a square body style. I find it comfortable. Attached Images __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

01-10-2014, 02:29 PM	#6
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,376	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers - I am a cloth type guy. I do not like sitting on vinyl or leather, so my vote went cloth inserts. Plus I think the inserts have more class... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

01-12-2014, 01:21 PM	#8
jaywashburn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: boulder, CO Posts: 52	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers You won't regret getting the cloth inserts. Good luck. Attached Images

01-12-2014, 09:32 PM	#9
paul mora Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: huntington beach california Posts: 976	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers I bout herringbone ,material for inserts on the internet for 19.99 a yard had the the covers made green to match looks great Pm with your number Can give you more info __________________ Pulatoy

01-14-2014, 01:41 AM	#10
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,813	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Well as usual I'm late to the party, but I think you made the right choice. Considering the history of your burb I sure don't see you ever getting rid of it, might as well do it up right. You have with every thing else. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

01-24-2014, 10:56 PM	#11
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Materials have arrived! Attached Images __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

01-24-2014, 11:53 PM	#13
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Very nice! __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

01-25-2014, 12:50 AM	#14
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,376	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers - Yup, that'll work... Gonna' look great for sure. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

01-25-2014, 01:01 AM	#15
ETsC10 Hand Crafted C-10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burien, WA Posts: 5,180	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Oh, that fabric is so beautiful! Without a doubt, the very best choice. I'm a bit partial, as my '68 Custom came with the black cloth interior. Unfortunately, the seat covering was toast by the time I got my truck. I'm with the rest of the posters...can't wait to see the final results

01-28-2014, 12:17 PM	#16
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,365	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Luv the color. Its interesting that when I was 10-20 yrs of age and those greens were the in color... I hated green! But now in my old age I like the greens Thus ... I luv your green interior And now you know __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!



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01-28-2014, 04:42 PM	#17
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Yea, growing up with the burb I wasn't a fan of the colors either, now I like it. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

01-30-2014, 09:51 PM	#18
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers Minor set back.. After comparing the new cloth with the original cloth, they do not match. After communicating with SMS, they are sending a roll of the fabric I want with a return label for the fabric to go back! Now that is how customer service is done! __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU Last edited by LockDoc; 01-30-2014 at 09:58 PM.

01-30-2014, 10:34 PM	#20
ETsC10 Hand Crafted C-10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burien, WA Posts: 5,180	Re: Help me decide on my bench covers X2 SMS is one of the most dearly loved companies I can think of in the restoration hobby. Top-drawer all the way. A few years back I heard that a they had just bought a humongous amount of NOS fabric, of all sorts. __________________ . Forum Guidelines and Rules Buying and Selling Code of Conduct Become a Board Supporter! Truck FAQ Ellen... the boards artsy-fartsy, eclectic, truck-lovin' gal-member...

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