The driver's seat is trashed and I should recover both front seats. I don't have a CLUE how to go about getting this done.

Do you buy the whole seat? Is there a new skin you buy and replace (or have replaced)? Presuming the latter's the correct answer, where would one buy these?

I also need to replace the aged and crumbling gaskety thingie that's attached to the bottom of the convertible top and provides a weather seal between the window and the roof. Any help there?

 

Topsonline for new seat leather (www.topsonline.com).

I am sure one of the convertible owners will be able to help regarding parts.


Stu

 

The weather seals between the window and the top are in 3 pieces for each side. Check with Jagbits, or SNG Barratt both forum sponsors and they can provide them.
Your best bet would be wrecking yards and ebay. You will find that the pieces average $200.00 each for about $1,200.00 new. I had a torn piece and a forum member Robroy found me a replacement at a wrecking yard for $15.00.
You might also contact Jaguar Heaven a wrecking yard in Stockton California. They may have some reasonably.

 

So the seats are aftermarket, and that means I'll have to replace all of them for a match--ARGH. I didn't want to hear that! (But should have expected it.)

The weather seals: are the three pieces identical or do you need to specificy front, middle or back? I could probably get buy for now just replacing two.

 

the seals are different so you need to specify - recommend you PM SNG Barratts - forum sponsor and ask for their free XK8/XKR parts catalog


as for the seats - I replaced my front seat covers with the Topsonline set - excellent quality and about an 8 hour DIY remove/replacement. The front covers with material to cover the center console was around $650

 

So you replaced only the front and you were pleased with the color match? Nothing's ever been in my back seat but a few bags of groceries, and the car's always been garaged so that seat's like new--but for being 18 years old.

 

My 97s front seat covers have been replaced with vinyl covers, about half the price of leather and will probably outwear the originals. Check Ebay. I think they are about 450 for a pair. Look great. Tom

 

My seats were coffee, similar to cashmere, and the color match was excellent. If you want to do the back seats you'll be dealing with custom work, and the price will be a shock.

The leather quality from topsonline was better than OEM. Look for them on ebay and it might be even cheaper than direct.

 

yes I replaced only fronts and color match is excellent

 

BTW - topsonline also sells the rear seat covers - which I will be doing next spring

 

Check the forum marketplace for the rubber seals, members are parting out cars.

 

tops online is the best.

 

Thanks so much for the endorsements on the color match. A near-miss of a match would drive me nuts. It's all I'd ever see any time the top is down. Btw, I only solicited one source to find out that my color is Cashmere, the code is SDZ. Is there a table on this site showing the codes?

 

If you use topsonline they will work from the color code, but I think it is available in the Sticky's.