Still looking

[Happy Hummer]

I'm still trying to locate some kind soul who has converted there cloth bucket seats to leather and would be willing to part with the cloth. My drivers side is really getting bad. I started looking at converting to vinyl or leather but the choices and prices are quite limited. Albeit, there are a few choices thank God lol. Because there used to be almost nothing a few years back.
The problem is that amongst the options available there are always short comings to have to contend with.
One vendor has the OEM like pattern of leather but done tastefully in heavy duty vinyl... Problem is there are NO headrest coverings that come with these replacement seat skins, coverings.
Other vendors have only the bottom in the correct color and pattern and then NO upper back part or head rest coverings.
Of course there is another company available L Seats but I've seen so questionable reviews about there final quality and customer service. There is also concern of rapid wear on drivers side bolster.

Last but certainly not least... Katzkin Lol! Great looking product at a breath taking price. But if the the quality is that stellar maybe it is worth it.
I'm trying to work with some vendors that deal in Upholstery fabric to be able to get a similar fabric as the OEM GM basic seat material but I don't know if that will go any where?

 

[Nikal]

Years ago I needed to rebuild a truck seat and the edge of the cloth cover was worn out and starting to unstitch.

I went to a local upholstery shop and we went through some big sample books and were able to find a fabric really close to stock. A 1/2 shade off, but that was probably only due to age if the original seat covers. They used the old cover as a pattern and made all new seat covers.

You could do this for just the seat bottom, if the rest of the seat is in good shape. Or if you find covers but no headrests, you could get headrests made to match the new covers.

I’d fine a couple local upholstery shops and see what they can do for you. You might be very surprised.

 

[alrock]

I'll be using Nikal's approach soon for my driver's seat with a hole in the upright bolster and worn leather on the back. Plenty of decent auto interior shops around here, and I know one that will likely replace those panels for $150 or so.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Yes, KOVI fabrics responded with a basic fabric selection but with a caveat, it is about $50 per/yard. You can purchase a swatch of fabric for about $10-12 shipped.
I also heard back from a company in Texas that stated if I could send them the fabric from a headrest in basic oem fabric pattern they could reproduce it in Vinyl and leather.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well I exhausted myself trying to get somewhere with the fabric. The company in Texas offered to sell me Driver & Passenger Leather upper back & lower bottom for $576+ tax s/h was included in the price. So I'm gonna change out the seats in front to all leather. Black / w grey piping.
The headrest were a separate purchase for approx. $130 + tax s/h included. I'll update when I've swapped with some info & pic's.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well, well... the new leather seat skins showed up today. None to shabby. For what ya pay you get some nice looking oem style seat coverings. There are a few bummers but not anything terrible. The company (Auto Seat Replacement) does not have a H3 listed in there viewable video catalog for installation. The other thing is I would have liked to see the material nearest the drivers side bolsters be all leather and not an amalgamation of leather and vinyl, synthetic. This is the exact area that fails. A more robust leather would have been a good upgrade.
Like I said though none to shabby.

 

[650Hawk]

Pics!!!

 

[Maria80386]

I'll be using Nikal's approach soon for my driver's seat with a hole in the upright bolster and worn leather on the back. Plenty of decent auto interior shops around here, and I know one that will likely replace those panels for $150 or so.

Names? The piping is coming lose on a few inches of my driver’s seat. I might replace the bottom cushion too. For so few miles, it feels like someone sat in it full-time for years.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well I'm talking to the company as we speak. I sent them photos of my oem factory seat covering skin from my passenger seat and it is quite a bit different design from what they sent. Not major but enough to stop me from installing it Tuesday night.
I had the passenger seat all tore down oem cloth coverings off and new leather aftermarket hog ring'd on when I noticed that the panel at the rear nearest the seat belt was sewn completely backwards from Hummer's original design. Its just not gonna work. I'm speaking with the company and may have to send them back. that is the only pattern they make/have and the head upholster is not open to altering there design. Lol! it doesn't match the GM/oem. I was told it should fit with some work.
I can assure them it wont.

 

[Happy Hummer]

1st pictures are of the aftermarket cover. You'll notice that the flap is sewn to the side.
2nd group of pictures are gm oem and you'll notice flap is sewn to top cover where your bum is seated.
Unless I cut off the flap, reinforce it and re sew to the bum area I'm not sure what else to do. Short of sending them back of course.
The flap needs to be orientated correctly so as to hog ring that flap (3 hog rings for oem on each side) or the back lower section foam will be exposed and there will be no support for rear corners.
Unless you guys have installed this type of pattern successful? Please do say if you have... thanks

 

[alrock]

Reloader recovered his seats, but likely with another brand since this company didn't have an H3 pattern on file when you contacted them. If that's the only issue, can you send back those pieces and have them adjust them? (Maybe that's your plan already )

 

[Happy Hummer]

Actually, this entire process has turned into quite the let down.
First thing I did was to contact the company and let them know of the concerns and questions.
I received back a reply that the head of upholstery looked at the Hummer/GM pattern pictures I sent and deemed that the product they sold was the only thing they were offering. Lol! I should still be able to make them fit. I responded back that there was zero chance they would fit in the current incorrect state. The reply came with you can send them back for refund. I replied again inquiring as to any hidden fees, restock, etc. The reply was there shouldn't be a problem at least maybe NOT.

So, I was left with a lot of unknowns and a possible restock fee looming if they "maybe , sorta felt like it".

Spent 6.5 hrs. in my sewing room and completely altered them to match the Hummer/GM oem pattern.
Nothing about these covers upon further, deeper inspection seemed quite right. The flaps in the picture not only were sewn opposite of the oem pattern but were completely sh!t. One measured across the fabric 4.25"...the other measured 3.5"...yet another was 3.38"...you guessed the other flap was wrong too.
The oem measures 3" across the fabric consistently with a slight variation.
One cover was sewn across the pattern with more fabric in one panel, whilst the other was smaller.
The foam backing is no where near the thickness of oem. The seams, hems are done to the bare bones standard as where the oem are much more precise and beefy. GM puts an extra layer in the areas that needs the most support. Overall this was just a sh!t show.
Last night I spent 5 hrs. installing the passenger cover alone. Nothing matches up correctly. So, back to the sewing machine and razor, scissors. I even had to bring my die grinder out to widen some areas on the passenger plastic finishing piece. Today, I was able to admire the final product as I installed the passenger seat back in the H3. It turned out decent. That is only because of the hours spent rebuilding portions of there covers to make them work. The plastic pieces they provide to hold to the frame and interior rods and such are barely adequate. They don't even cut them to fit the areas they mount to. That is yet another modification the end purchaser must do.
Overall this product is ok as long as you have some mad sewn skills and lots of patience. Better get real comfy with the hog ring pliers too. lol!

Of course if your on a budget and Katskinz are out of your price range these can be a ok-ish buy.
Honestly scratch that... don't bother lol! They are nice looking after you put hours into remaking them.

 

[Happy Hummer]

I still have the entire process to do on the driver side. Ugh!

I'll post pictures of the finished product after the drivers side is done.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well, was able to push ahead and get the driver's side seat torn down yesterday. Thank God it went pretty good. There is quite a bit more stuff to address, work around. The lumbar spine support rotary handle mechanism, knob, cable and seat angle adjuster.
Again, alterations were needed and the seat cover/skin was not pre marked or cut for any of the mechanicals.
I'll post pic's soon. Now to do the rear seats. Which I need to decide which way to go. This company does not provide rear covering's.

Please do not misunderstand, the problems with the covers are workable but results are pretty remarkable.
Upholstery shops deserve a at a boy, because this chit is pretty involved and labor, time intensive.
Oh and be prepared for cuts, scratches and snagged finger nail. Oh! The back of the seat (you know the hard plastic shell) is a difficult item to remove and reinstall. There are two large clips directly at top. Two smaller push clips at lower sides and two retainers at bottom.

Here are a few pics of seat torn down...

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well finished up today. Gave me a good excuse to vacuum under the seats lol. Smiling! big time. The effort was d@mn near Herculean (for me anywho) but I think the effect comes across good. As promised pictures... I'm gonna leave them slightly wrinkled and fluffy looking because in no time the sun and heat will do there best to shrink them. I have a parking canopy in the driveway and I replaced the tarp portion 1 year ago and the heat a direct sunlight have shrunk, distorted and dry rotted/ripped it everywhere.

 

[H3Hummer]

Wow, brand new

 

[Happy Hummer]

I was able last night to order oem upper right, left leather covers/ skins off eBay used. There the same kinda look black/gray piping. Got just the upper. Will keep eye out for lower next. These are for the back seat.

 

[Happy Hummer]

A few imperfections in the covers but got a decent price for both.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Wow those look great. Fantastic job. Just shows what persistence can do. This is kind of where H3 owners will have to get extra creative to keep their Hummers looking and driving nice. And I really agree with you (OP), ...good upholster guys aren't cheap and earn their money. Esp the guys who make custom interiors from scratch like for street rods and customs.

Couple questions for I guess anyone reading this thread (sorry if I missed these above):
1) Are H3 front seat bottoms unique in the GM world? Or are/were there any like it from Cadillac or any SUV line? Or even the Colorado?
2) Are the front seat backs (the upper part), the same shape L->R? Can a good pass seat (upper) be swapped to the driver's side?

Great job ...OP. Thx for sharing!

 

[Happy Hummer]

The answer to the second question is yes they are completely interchangeable from left to right with the upper skins.
The answer to the 1st question is a resounding NO... They are uniqualy there own design as far as I can see. But with mad sewing skills I could see a pair of bottom seat skins out of a Caddy or the like being modified to make them work. Of course just doing the necessary steps to fix these ones was so much easier.
Thank you for your kind remarks. I appreciate the forums very much and this is one way I can give back. Sharing what I learn along the way.

 

[Happy Hummer]

New to me (used) leather upper rears showed up. Nice! In pretty good shape.
Has anyone swapped there rear factory skins/covers??

 

[Happy Hummer]

Wanted to update...rear uppers done. Leather is similar but not exact. There was a couple scuffs and a minor blemish (nicely hidden). After installing the uppers realized that the elastic bands were stretched out and resew'n back goofy. Oh well they are really very nice.
Now to get a hold of some bottom rear!?

 

[Happy Hummer]

Still hunting for the matching bottom rears.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Wanted to update this thread...
Finally completed the search and purchase of lower back pass, drv seat bases, bottom's.
They were shipped really fast and actually were in OK shape, save for some damage, rips and gouges which I knew about. Well at least for the most part.
Took the seats apart and made multiple repairs. Quite the interesting process.
Here are some pics...

 

[Maria80386]

I’m trying a GMParts Warehouse “oem” bottom seat cushion and US covers cover. Any idea on the size of hog rings I need?

I’m also still trying to get the alignment correct, she’s 95% better, but I think I’m bringing my Championship home soon so will get to compare daily.