What are these seats?

[BurgerKingFootLettuce]

I am a sucker for fleet models of vehicles, I just like the simplicity and utility of them I suppose. I came across these photos and noted they have seats I haven’t seen before. They’re too plush to be just seat covers, yet the pattern doesn’t match a normal leather seat (nor would I expect these to come with leather). I also find it hard to be,I’d be someone would just manufacture NYPD spec seats, but maybe? From my experience most of these just had your standard cloth seats.

These never had a vinyl front seat option… right ?

 

[97Sandbox]

I've seen base XL model Explorers with vinyl seats that look like that before. Very far and few between as XL/XLS models are fairly rare and most had cloth seats. It wouldn't surprise me if the Explorer in the picture is an XLS -- that would be common for a fleet vehicle and you can see the OEM steelies and full grey bumpers too.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

I am a sucker for fleet models of vehicles, I just like the simplicity and utility of them I suppose. I came across these photos and noted they have seats I haven’t seen before. They’re too plush to be just seat covers, yet the pattern doesn’t match a normal leather seat (nor would I expect these to come with leather). I also find it hard to be,I’d be someone would just manufacture NYPD spec seats, but maybe? From my experience most of these just had your standard cloth seats.

These never had a vinyl front seat option… right ?

View attachment 436759
View attachment 436760

@Fix4Dirt

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I am a sucker for fleet models of vehicles, I just like the simplicity and utility of them I suppose. I came across these photos and noted they have seats I haven’t seen before. They’re too plush to be just seat covers, yet the pattern doesn’t match a normal leather seat (nor would I expect these to come with leather). I also find it hard to be,I’d be someone would just manufacture NYPD spec seats, but maybe? From my experience most of these just had your standard cloth seats.

These never had a vinyl front seat option… right ?

View attachment 436759
View attachment 436760

cloth was the primary material, as was leather in most. however XL explorers, especially those with 0 options (eg manual lock etc) came with vinyls, yes. they also didnt have a console iirc.

vinyl rears were also int these models. seen a few before at JY

 

[Lee's Automotive]

cloth was the primary material, as was leather in most. however XL explorers, especially those with 0 options (eg manual lock etc) came with vinyls, yes. they also didnt have a console iirc.View attachment 436766

Dang that is basic

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Dang that is basic

yes sir but vinyl did exist! iirc the XLS all came with cloth that ive seen. it was just a vinyl version of the base seats. XLS came with cloth base seats.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

yes sir but vinyl did exist! iirc the XLS all came with cloth that ive seen. it was just a vinyl version of the base seats. XLS came with cloth base seats.

Nice

 

[Mbrooks420]

You could also get the standard cloth in an extremely basic XL. I think the vinyl was really a work vehicle thing.

 

[BurgerKingFootLettuce]

cloth was the primary material, as was leather in most. however XL explorers, especially those with 0 options (eg manual lock etc) came with vinyls, yes. they also didnt have a console iirc.View attachment 436766vinyl rears were also int these models. seen a few before at JY

No freakin’ way! I absolutely love those, i have something new to hunt for but I bet these are all so trashed by now. I am also on the hunt for manual doors. Just gonna swap the doors completely seems to complex to try to retrofit. My power locks and power windows all work when they want to anyways sooo I just want it to be manual. Why? Because I can ha.

I am really going to have to scour the depths of the US to find these seats now.

 

[97Sandbox]

My dream off road Explorer would definitely start with a super bare bones XL. The fewer electrical systems, the better for a beater work/utility vehicle!

i have something new to hunt for but I bet these are all so trashed by now.

I'm sure a lot depends on whether the vehicle was left out in the sun. More contemporary vinyl must have some UV stabilizers in it because it seems to hold up way better than 60s/70s seats which just crack and fall apart. I see F150s with similar vinyl seats in the salvage yard all the time and they seem to hold up better than leather and not stain like cloth.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

You could also get the standard cloth in an extremely basic XL. I think the vinyl was really a work vehicle thing.

oh really? i thought the bottom of the bottom didnt even have cloth option? i thought that only came about when it was renamed XLS?

 

[Lee's Automotive]

oh really? i thought the bottom of the bottom didnt even have cloth option? i thought that only came about when it was renamed XLS?

Now i gotta find one of these in the yard lol

 

[Mbrooks420]

I had a 1992 5 speed with no options except power locks, and it has the regular cloth of the time.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

No freakin’ way! I absolutely love those, i have something new to hunt for but I bet these are all so trashed by now. I am also on the hunt for manual doors. Just gonna swap the doors completely seems to complex to try to retrofit. My power locks and power windows all work when they want to anyways sooo I just want it to be manual. Why? Because I can ha.

I am really going to have to scour the depths of the US to find these seats now.

the few ive seen (basically 1 lol maybe 2) were decent. they didnt seem to fall apart like the old vinyl, so they seem ok. manual window=weight reduction. no window=more weight reduction. no door=even more weight reduction!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I had a 1992 5 speed with no options except power locks, and it has the regular cloth of the time.

hm interesting. didnt know that!!!

 

[Lee's Automotive]

the few ive seen (basically 1 lol maybe 2) were decent. they didnt seem to fall apart like the old vinyl, so they seem ok. manual window=weight reduction. no window=more weight reduction. no door=even more weight reduction!

lol no doors it is

 

[Fix4Dirt]

lol no doors it is

heck, no roof! embrace the inner jeep!! kidding

 

[Lee's Automotive]

heck, no roof! embrace the inner jeep!! kidding

Sounds good

 

[Fix4Dirt]

speaking of!!!! 1999 ford explorer - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive...

 

[97Sandbox]

speaking of!!!! 1999 ford explorer - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive...

If that was manual and 4x4 I might be booking a one-way flight haha!