My DIY Custom Seat Covers installed in Bronco Sport Big Bend 🐍

[Pops Santini]

Well, I finally finished it...

...here's the story:

I wanted Western Rattler Green to go with my Cactus exterior. Since that was not an option I went with Black/White which was readily available.

I am by no means an amateur or professional upholster. I have owned a sewing machine most of my adult life, learning most of what I know from my mom when I was a young boy. I researched Ye Olde youtu.be and a few websites to see if it was even feasible. It wasn't, but I went for it anyway. I'm 63, so insanity is very likely. WTF was I thinking?

Shoutout to "gatornek" for providing detailed pics of his WetOkole seat covers. I wasn't crazy about the claim of "airbag compatible" seat covers offered on-line. Didn't like what was offered by the dealer either.

My intention was to completely cover front and back of upper seat. I purchased skinsuit and faux leather PV snakeskin to fully cover front and back. I made endless patterns and went one piece at a time custom fitting everything like the novice I am.

I incorporated everything without compromising the OEM seat covers as installed, improvising and mimicking the OEM fabrication to make it come together.

Because of OEM Seat/Seat Cover Design and construction, it became unfeasible and a waste of time and energy to do the complete coverage of the back of seat. You'll see where I punted on First Down and took advantage of field position, to make the top Back detail. This allowed to keep the useless M.O.L.L.E & Map Pocket accessible, although it is useless IMHO.

I did the Diamond Pattern for flair and mimicking the diamondback rattler look on Seat and Back centers with ¼" foam fusing, which really made the seats extremely more comfortable than the plain OEM cushioning. The seat heaters are not impeded in any way, and I can't use them for more than a minute anyway.

I am holding off on console lid. If I come up with something unique to compliment the seats...we'll see?

I think that's it? I'll answer most questions, but I will not EVER do something like this again! DON'T EVEN ASK! LOL

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[ScareCrow]

Well, I finally finished it...
...here's the story:
I wanted Western Rattler Green to go with my Cactus exterior. Since that was not an option I went with Black/White which was readily available.
I am by no means an amateur or professional upholster. I have owned a sewing machine most of my adult life, learning most of what I know from my mom when I was a young boy. I researched Ye Olde youtu.be and a few websites to see if it was even feasible. It wasn't, but I went for it anyway. I'm 63, so insanity is very likely. WTF was I thinking?
Shoutout to "gatornek" for providing detailed pics of his WetOkole seat covers. I wasn't crazy about the claim of "airbag compatible" seat covers offered on-line. Didn't like what was offered by the dealer either.
My intention was to completely cover front and back of upper seat. I purchased skinsuit and faux leather PV snakeskin to fully cover front and back. I made endless patterns and went one piece at a time custom fitting everything like the novice I am.
I incorporated everything without compromising the OEM seat covers as installed, improvising and mimicking the OEM fabrication to make it come together.
Because of OEM Seat/Seat Cover Design and construction, it became unfeasible and a waste of time and energy to do the complete coverage of the back of seat. You'll see where I punted on First Down and took advantage of field position, to make the top Back detail. This allowed to keep the useless M.O.L.L.E & Map Pocket accessible, although it is useless IMHO.
I did the Diamond Pattern for flair and mimicking the diamondback rattler look on Seat and Back centers with ¼" foam fusing, which really made the seats extremely more comfortable than the plain OEM cushioning. The seat heaters are not impeded in any way, and I can't use them for more than a minute anyway.
I am holding off on console lid. If I come up with something unique to compliment the seats...we'll see?
I think that's it? I'll answer most questions, but I will not EVER do something like this again! DON'T EVEN ASK! LOL

How many Rattlesnakes did that take....

Asking for a friend............

 

[Escape2Bronco]

How many Rattlesnakes did that take....

Asking for a friend............

Poor little (big) snakes!

 

[Deleted member 6350]

Very Nice Job there Pops, looks real nice.

 

[John J]

You're not an amateur anymore!! Very nice!

 

[Chiefthepup]

Awesome work!!! Well done!!!!

 

[Pops Santini]

Thanks for all the comments!

Friend of the Family
This is from my morning hike I took 5 hours before I picked up my new vehicle. (July 18 2023) Only 4 1/2 feet long. As you can hear, it was stalking an airplane.

Scarecrow, I taped a stock image of a BS to the inside bottom of a 55 gal drum, cargo strapped it to my back to harvest the ¨one¨ for the seat covers. I laid on the ground really still and waited for it to slither in.

I walk 47 miles of barbed wire
I use a cobra snake for a necktie
I got a brand new house on the roadside
Made from rattlesnake hide

Tombstone hand
And a graveyard mine
Just 63
And I don't mind dying (Bo Diddley, 1956)

 

[Black Betty]

That’s Awesome! Well done Pops

 

[roboto65]

Well that would definitely keep my wife from using my BS

 

[rjcthird99]

That looks AWESOME. great job!!
If you are interested in starting a side business....

 

[Caliope]

I think you did a fantastic job. Bravo!
I used to be pretty good at taking a twin flat sheet, elastic and hook & sets and fabricating two buck seat covers. The last set I made, I had come across some stretchy mesh that was great for covering the back of the seat.
Learned to sew from my mom as a pre-teen and have been making storage bags, seat covers and even clothing ever since.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Well, I finally finished it...

...here's the story:

I wanted Western Rattler Green to go with my Cactus exterior. Since that was not an option I went with Black/White which was readily available.

I am by no means an amateur or professional upholster. I have owned a sewing machine most of my adult life, learning most of what I know from my mom when I was a young boy. I researched Ye Olde youtu.be and a few websites to see if it was even feasible. It wasn't, but I went for it anyway. I'm 63, so insanity is very likely. WTF was I thinking?

Shoutout to "gatornek" for providing detailed pics of his WetOkole seat covers. I wasn't crazy about the claim of "airbag compatible" seat covers offered on-line. Didn't like what was offered by the dealer either.

My intention was to completely cover front and back of upper seat. I purchased skinsuit and faux leather PV snakeskin to fully cover front and back. I made endless patterns and went one piece at a time custom fitting everything like the novice I am.

I incorporated everything without compromising the OEM seat covers as installed, improvising and mimicking the OEM fabrication to make it come together.

Because of OEM Seat/Seat Cover Design and construction, it became unfeasible and a waste of time and energy to do the complete coverage of the back of seat. You'll see where I punted on First Down and took advantage of field position, to make the top Back detail. This allowed to keep the useless M.O.L.L.E & Map Pocket accessible, although it is useless IMHO.

I did the Diamond Pattern for flair and mimicking the diamondback rattler look on Seat and Back centers with ¼" foam fusing, which really made the seats extremely more comfortable than the plain OEM cushioning. The seat heaters are not impeded in any way, and I can't use them for more than a minute anyway.

I am holding off on console lid. If I come up with something unique to compliment the seats...we'll see?

I think that's it? I'll answer most questions, but I will not EVER do something like this again! DON'T EVEN ASK! LOL

Awesome work!

 

[gatornek]

Well, I finally finished it...

...here's the story:

I wanted Western Rattler Green to go with my Cactus exterior. Since that was not an option I went with Black/White which was readily available.

I am by no means an amateur or professional upholster. I have owned a sewing machine most of my adult life, learning most of what I know from my mom when I was a young boy. I researched Ye Olde youtu.be and a few websites to see if it was even feasible. It wasn't, but I went for it anyway. I'm 63, so insanity is very likely. WTF was I thinking?

Shoutout to "gatornek" for providing detailed pics of his WetOkole seat covers. I wasn't crazy about the claim of "airbag compatible" seat covers offered on-line. Didn't like what was offered by the dealer either.

My intention was to completely cover front and back of upper seat. I purchased skinsuit and faux leather PV snakeskin to fully cover front and back. I made endless patterns and went one piece at a time custom fitting everything like the novice I am.

I incorporated everything without compromising the OEM seat covers as installed, improvising and mimicking the OEM fabrication to make it come together.

Because of OEM Seat/Seat Cover Design and construction, it became unfeasible and a waste of time and energy to do the complete coverage of the back of seat. You'll see where I punted on First Down and took advantage of field position, to make the top Back detail. This allowed to keep the useless M.O.L.L.E & Map Pocket accessible, although it is useless IMHO.

I did the Diamond Pattern for flair and mimicking the diamondback rattler look on Seat and Back centers with ¼" foam fusing, which really made the seats extremely more comfortable than the plain OEM cushioning. The seat heaters are not impeded in any way, and I can't use them for more than a minute anyway.

I am holding off on console lid. If I come up with something unique to compliment the seats...we'll see?

I think that's it? I'll answer most questions, but I will not EVER do something like this again! DON'T EVEN ASK! LOL

Wow. This is pretty f**kin fantastic dude!! I'll admit that the snakeskin isn't really my style, but the craftsmanship looks superb! Excellent work! I wish I would've known ... I would've provided more detail for you. No problem!!

Its the entire reason I like keeping a build thread.

 

[Pops Santini]

Wow. This is pretty f**kin fantastic dude!! I'll admit that the snakeskin isn't really my style, but the craftsmanship looks superb! Excellent work! I wish I would've known ... I would've provided more detail for you. No problem!!

Its the entire reason I like keeping a build thread.

Thanks Bro. Your threads are great. I'm totally grateful for your support. In other words, I "partially" blame you for putting me on this crazy adventure.
The OEM seats/covers are computer designed, engineered and fabricated by more skilled individuals or robots. I tried to copy old school auto upholstery techniques from what I learned online and through discovery during task at hand.
It's an amazing art and I have mad respect for those folks out there doing the real deal!
I found a Fire Rescue video that showed how the airbags deployed and from what I could tell they blow through the zippers. I couldn't find any manufacturer details after tiring searches. I also saw photos on ebay of OEM seat covers for sale that gave me some extra things to consider.
I had the ability and patterns in my head and could have gone full wrap on the back. The only reason to cover the backs was to protect original fabric. Since I fly solo, don't have kids or critters it's on me if something happen back there. I usually keep the back seats down and didn't want to go overboard with the motif. I ended up with extra skinsuit material, but in the end it was a cost effective project. Unskilled labor was cheap and it was serious labor. However, a Professional job will rightfully cost a fair amount. The covers I created could be copied and marketed but I'm not interested in that, just saying.

OBTW, Gatorskin is available

 

[Pops Santini]

Wow. This is pretty f**kin fantastic dude!! I'll admit that the snakeskin isn't really my style, but the craftsmanship looks superb! Excellent work! I wish I would've known ... I would've provided more detail for you. No problem!!

Its the entire reason I like keeping a build thread.

I forgot to mention: I'm obsessed with snakes, birds of prey, and big horn sheep which I get to enjoy in abundance living in the great southwest.

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