I finally completed my 66 Chevelle seat build using the Thornton buns, so here is my long awaited review...
The good:
As noted right out of the box, these are SOFT just like the ACIs (and unlike the PUI and TMI's) which is awesome! Makes it easier to work with and will improve the final seating feel.
Shape was correct, and final seat look is correct, not overstuffed.
Listing channels all lined up perfectly with the spring side listing rods
The lack of install cloth was NOT an issue due to the molded curved-in edges on undersides- Once set in place on the springs/frames they were snug and didn't move around. On the first lower cushion I did glue on a small strip to the rear of it to secure it down to the frame in that spot- but I didn't do it on the 2nd one and it wasn't an issue.
Less than Half the price of ACI's and are still made in the USA.
The bad:
* The foam at the bottom of the upper cushion listing channels was 1" thick! On ACI and the other buns, this is a very thin area, which is good for two reasons- it makes it easier to attach the listing rods through, and gives the bolster tucks proper definition. After noticing this, I used scissors and cut through the bottom of the channels completely. With this tweak, the upper covers went on normally and the bolster tucks look great. The Lower cushion buns were also thicker than I liked, but were only about 1/2" thick, so I opted not to cut them out. The foam is soft enough that the cover listing rods compressed it down evenly for a consistent bolster tuck- Realized after its possible I could have gotten away without cutting it out because the foam was soft enough to compress.
* The design of the bottom lip of the upper cushion didn't leave much foam there to wrap around. Normally the foam there is 3-4" long and gets wrapped around the bottom of the springs and hogringed on. These have the built in "lip" but the lip didn't really extend up far enough in my opinion. I carefully pulled the foam downward a little extra as I was installing the bottom flap of the cover which gave it the needed padding there. Doing it next time I'll add a square of 1" foam under the bun in that spot extending downward a bit farther at that bottom area to give the cover that extra bit of protection where it wraps around the back side of the springs.
Conclusion:
Overall, I'm very pleased with these and will be ordering another set shortly to do my next set of seats.
As long as the price point holds on these, I would be hard pressed to pay the extra $$ for ACI's- however if cost was equal or closer I would still choose the ACI buns.
I'm still waiting on repop seat tracks to arrive so I can bolt them in my car to see how they feel/sit vs my existing seats, although its not really a straight comparison since these have all brand new springs vs the ones in my car which have originals.... but I will post and add that detail once the tracks arrive.
|