Cheap fix for sagging bench seat

[mnkeeking]

Reckon I'd share a quick fix I discovered to fix my sagging '68 F100 bench seat. I've tried before with a thin sheet of plastic, but it didn't do the job. I've inspected my bench and the only "real" fix is to replace the S-shaped springs. Mine are just old and don't have much spring left in them. I haven't set aside a few days to wander in my locale scrap yard yet, but that's on the list.

Anyway, there's a plastics manufacturer near my house, and I've done business with them in the past. They sell cut-offs and limited run stuff really cheap, so I figured I'd stop by and get a thicker sheet of plastic to reinforce my bench. As I was pawing through the scrap pile I came across something they had labelled "PVC Foam." I checked it out, and although it's only 1/4 inch thick, it is like a very stiff foam. I picked up two 4'x4' sheets. Brought them home, doubled up the thickness (to 1/2") and installed this 1/2 inch sheet in the seat portion of the bench. It got dark before I could do the seat-back, but I jumped in to give it a test. Compared to the hole I WAS sitting in, it's great. The PVC foam has some give, so it's not like sitting on plywood, but it's pretty stiff. Perhaps for long distance drives it would be uncomfortable. I will keep updating this post as the PVC breaks in (or doesn't) so anyone else considering it will have my experience at least to go on.

They have a few more of the 4'x4' sheets left and I'm thinking of grabbing them for future use. The PVC may break down quickly and I'd like to have some on hand for quick repairs. Send me a PM if you're in the San Diego area and you want me to score a sheet for you. I paid $10 for a roughly 4'x4' sheet, but they're cut-offs so they are not exactly all the same size.

Hope this helps someone,
Take care,
Joe

[72BahamaBlue]

If you wish to reduce the sag/add a little more firmness and height to the seat, you might consider tying the springs together. The springs can get sacked out, I was able to tie them all together on the driver's side bottom, with some heavy nylon cord. Every spring loop got tied to the next one. Some tying on the seatback adds at least a little lumbar support too.
On the new seat, I salvaged the pass. side springs from the old, and added a couple extra on the driver's side. Worked really well!

[AZ67F100]

If you wish to reduce the sag/add a little more firmness and height to the seat, you might consider tying the springs together. The springs can get sacked out, I was able to tie them all together on the driver's side bottom, with some heavy nylon cord. Every spring loop got tied to the next one. Some tying on the seatback adds at least a little lumbar support too.
On the new seat, I salvaged the pass. side springs from the old, and added a couple extra on the driver's side. Worked really well!

Plastic lock (zip) ties worked really well for me!