Seat Thread Color Question (silly!), and Suspension!

[Stiglitz]

Hello all!
I am about to pull trigger on a set of Lseat covers for my 2002 986.
My sillly question has to do with the tread color.
I have bog standard Black seats.
The thread color appears to be a gray/white (darker after 20 some odd years?)

Anyone that may have purchased black lseat covers, what color did you choose for the thread?
I don't want it to look out of place.

I'm also pondering having the upholstery shop put in seat heater elements "while they are in there", and just leave wiring bundled under the seat, and I'd take care of wiring.

Odd that I am asking suspension question also.
Think I need tie rod/control arm on driver's front side.

I'm trying to stay at budget on my projects....
I'm thinking of getting major components (coffin arm, tie rod, control arm) and have shop install (to avoid the markup!). And think I'm reallly only budgeted to do one side (not the entire front).

Thoughts? (w/o flaming?).

Also, for those curious, local upholstery shop (Winter Park/Orlando FL area) has quited me $120 per side to put the covers on.

Thanks in advance.

[Starter986]

I don't know.

However, I do know I'd pay $120 per side for the cover install.

Post after pics, please.

[KevinH1990]

I don't have any suggestions regarding the stitch color. However, if a contrasting stitch color appeals to you, I encourage you to go for it. I've seen quite a few Porsches with contrasting or "deviated" stitching and it adds a nice detail to the car.

Your idea for adding the seat heating is a good one. I used the instructions in this link https://www.dennisvogel.com/heatedseats/ to retrofit mine. As Dennis Vogel says, "These instructions assume that you'd like to upgrade to a two-stage heating system for driver and passenger seats that is as close to the original P14 factory option specifications as possible."

The project did appear daunting to me. I'm not the world's greatest DIY mechanic. If you have decent skills and use patience, you should be able to achieve great results. You won't be following his instructions exactly if you use aftermarket heating pads, but you should be able to adapt to the differences quite easily.

Please note that most if not all the components are available used. If you buy them new, it will be expensive. I'm currently attempting to retrofit some 987/997 adaptive sports seats in my Boxster. I didn't want to remove components from my current seats, so I needed some wiring harnesses and relays. I found the seat wiring harnesses for $16 and the relays (part number 996.618.521.00) for $40 at DC Automotive. I think a new relay would cost over $100 at a dealer.

Good luck with your project.

[tcora]

Originally Posted by Stiglitz

Hello all!
I am about to pull trigger on a set of Lseat covers for my 2002 986.
My sillly question has to do with the tread color.
I have bog standard Black seats.
The thread color appears to be a gray/white (darker after 20 some odd years?)

Anyone that may have purchased black lseat covers, what color did you choose for the thread?
I don't want it to look out of place.

I'm also pondering having the upholstery shop put in seat heater elements "while they are in there", and just leave wiring bundled under the seat, and I'd take care of wiring.

Odd that I am asking suspension question also.
Think I need tie rod/control arm on driver's front side.

I'm trying to stay at budget on my projects....
I'm thinking of getting major components (coffin arm, tie rod, control arm) and have shop install (to avoid the markup!). And think I'm reallly only budgeted to do one side (not the entire front).

Thoughts? (w/o flaming?).

Also, for those curious, local upholstery shop (Winter Park/Orlando FL area) has quited me $120 per side to put the covers on.

Thanks in advance.

No real comment on the seat cover question. You’re not competing in concours type events, so whatever you like is what you should do!

On the suspension components, if you need them on one side (unless we are talking about crash damage), you also need them on the other. You will have to pay for an alignment when you are done, so I would replace both sides, and do the alignment only once.

Regards,