'07 Spec B interior swap into '05

This walk-through covers swapping the interior of the '07-'09 sedan to an '05-'06 sedan. This covers the folding rear seat function, door cards, and the wiring of the front seats.

 

First of all, this project was a massive pain in the ass! I took my time with it to make sure it looks and works like it should from the factory. I do not recommend this to anybody, unless this is your second car and you have plenty of time to work on it.

 

There are a few threads on the forum about this swap, although a lot of details and pictures aren't posted, so I thought I would clear up any questions and post some pictures and details to make this easier for anybody wanting to take on this project.

 

Here are the other links I could find:

 

ShockerGT's swap

acooper5's swap

acooper5's rear seat swap

scoobydoobie's rear seat swap thread

 

There are just a couple things I have left to complete this:

 

I need '05 passenger power seat bottom!

Edited February 4, 2011 by Hops

My initial plan was to go with the "lightweight" theme and transfer the covers from the Spec B seats to my non-powered seats. I disassembled both completely to find out I had wasted my time because back seat recliner hinge will not switch over. The covers are similar and the back cover should swap over no problem, but the bottom cushion is different. It will fit, and somebody has done it before with minimal modification. The only problem is, the non-power passenger seat lacks lumbar support, where the power Spec B seat doesn't. That will leave a nice hole in the side of the seat, or a lumbar lever that doesn't work. My goal is to have this swap work perfectly and appear to have no modifications.

 

The driver seat had no problems. We had to modify the wiring very slightly and there are two wires leftover. The power seat works, the memory function works, the seat belt detection works, the heated seats work. Everything plugged right in except for the power for the seat motors. We spliced the power wires together, the two extra smaller wires from the same plug weren't used, but everything still worked right.

 

The passenger seat is a joke. There is no completely flawless way to do this. The occupant detection system is completely different. The '05 uses 4 massive sensors at each corner. The '07 uses a plastic liquid-filled pad that covers the seat and the seat frames for both are completely different. We tried to transfer over the '05 sensors to the '07 seat, but it's impossible to get it to work. The wiring is completely different, too. So, we swapped over the occupant detector computer without the sensors so we could at least plug in the seat belt detector. Otherwise, you will have a constant chime for the passenger. So my seat works and fits now, but the occupant detection system doesn't work, and there is an airbag light on.

 

The best way to do this, functionally, is swap the bottom frame and sensor goodies from an '05 power seat and fit the '07 cover on. It will take slight cutting of the cover, but once it's on and has the side covers on, you won't be able to notice. This is my next step.

 

Power for passenger seat bolts right in.

 

Seat heaters hook right up.

 

Seat belt connector is different. We cut off the connector and spliced on the old one to connector to the original occupant detector box.

 

Seat belt for the passenger side is different. Some guys swapped over the seat belt assembly from the '07. I just found a different place to connect the seat belt. It's on the seat for the passenger side, but on the driver's side it is connected to the body. A small cut on the carpet reveals a large bolt in the side of the body where the seat belt will connect, exactly like the driver's side. I have the seat belt assembly, but this seemed more practical.

 

Now for the pics:

 

My cat immediately showed approval of the Alcantara

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05300.jpg

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05325.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05330.jpg

 

 

Passenger seat belt

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05335.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05315.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05314.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05313.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05312.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05323.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05322.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05321.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05318.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05317.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05319.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05326.jpg

Edited November 30, 2009 by Hops

Rear seats:

 

Parts needed for folding function:

 

Plan on spending an extra $200+ for the complete, OEM quality swap.

 

Center hinge assembly: 64371AG21A

 

Hinge bracket RH: 64371AG00A

 

Hinge bracket LH: 64371AG01A

 

Seat strikers: 64375AG03A x2

 

Rear panel: 94511AG17A

 

Flange bolts: 010108200 x8

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05340.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05395.jpg

 

Remove the bracing and everything else from the back seat.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05346.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05347.jpg

 

Here is a friend's '07 I used for reference... Don't ask what is in his trunk, I wasn't paying attention.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05337.jpg

 

 

There are two hook things that need to be hammered down or removed. I removed them by hammering them and bending them back and forth with a Robo-Grip until they popped off.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05348.jpg

 

This is what they should look like when you are done.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05349.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05351.jpg

 

The rear panel will now attach with the four leftover plastic fasteners from the '05 stuff, but I wanted to secure it perfectly like it was made to, so I drilled holes for all the fasteners that came with the new plastic piece. There are five plastic push-in pieces on the back of the plastic panel. I used a marker and some double sided tape and mocked up the piece to see exactly where to drill. You'll also want to mock up the strikers and drill those in. I used machine screws. There are also two holes on the top of the plastic panel that don't have to be used, but I am going to. I drilled the holes, I just need to see if the dealership has the pieces to secure it.

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05352.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05354.jpg

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05355.jpg

 

The '05 rear seat is one piece... The '07 is five! Two side pieces, the 60 and the 40 split, and the arm rest. The side pieces fit almost perfectly and bolt into existing holes in the bottom. For the top, you're going to have to make more holes. There is a hook at the top of each side piece that snaps into a rectangular plastic piece. I had only one plastic piece and I broke it, so I will be picking up a couple of those this week. I mocked up the side pieces as well as I could and used a marker to mark where to make my incision. I then used a Dremel to cut my rectangular hole. The side pieces still fit, but they don't snap in completely secure. Definitely worth buying them. Part numbers coming this week.

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05358.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05359.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05360.jpg

 

Now time to put it together!

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05362.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05364.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05365.jpg

 

Here's the only problem I have now... The seats are secure via the strikers and they will fold down, but it's not exactly a smooth operation and you can see where I am missing something. Parts coming this week. I hope.

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05367.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05369.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05373.jpg

 

CONTINUED ON POST #29

Edited January 8, 2010 by Hops

Door cards

 

These things seriously completed the project...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05645.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05671.jpg

 

Luckily, it was the easiest part of this whole swap.

 

First, roll down windows! Then remove this piece (it just pops out):

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05648.jpg

 

Then, pop this piece out with a small flat-head screw driver or dentist tool:

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05649.jpg

 

This is probably the hardest part... The handle has a cover that needs to come off. Best way is to twist it from left to right. The front doors were slightly difficult, but the rears came right off.

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05651.jpg

 

Then, remove these three screws:

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05652.jpg

 

The door panel will now just pop right off around the edges. Now you will need to disconnect a couple of connectors, and take off the door handle/lock cables. There is a cover that just moves out of the way and then you just need to pop the cables out of the bracket and take them out.

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05653.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05654.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05655.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05657.jpg

 

The rest is just the same backwards! Easy!

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05658.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05661.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/Seat%20swap/DSC05663.jpg

Edited March 7, 2010 by Hops

You forgot to point to things in one of your pictures

Nice dude, thanks for the writeup/pics. Subcribed for the rear seat swap as its something I want to do one day.

wow looks great, good job on the write-up im sure many people will benefit from it!

Thanks! Yeah it was a pain in the ass asking 5 different people how they did theirs and everybody did something different and there were still problems, so seemed like a good opportunity to really figure this thing out. Now I just need those damn door cards!

DUDE! I TOTALLY WANT TO DO THAT NOW!

 

yours came out so good, that I want to do at least a rear-seat swap in my car! did they make the 07 interior in that beige/camel colored leather?

Yes, they did.

i just want the folding down seats the spec b interior is a bonus lol.

Gorgeous. SWP with Spec B seats=secks.

Nice writeup, I'm subscribed for the part numbers for rear seat fold-down mod

Something about these Alcantara seats...

 

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n121/JDMChizad/1107090046a.jpg

Nice writeup, I'm subscribed for the part numbers for rear seat fold-down mod

 

Thanks! Just called the dealership... A couple of my clips are in but the hinges are coming from the east coast and won't be in until next Wednesday.

thank you!

 

Just wondering, with the seat options, do your Spec.B seats come without the blue suede, i.e. similar to the standard 05 interiors?

All our Spec Bs come with specific interiors: brick read leather on the '06 Spec B, blue Alcantara on the '07 Spec B, and black Alcantara on the '08-'09 Spec B.

Oh okay... so only comes in suede alcantra hey... I want black leather rear seats to match the fronts, and it seems that Australian spec Liberty sedans all have NO fold-down rear seats

That's odd... We didn't get it here until '07.

Well we don't get it all the way through to 09. At all!

Doesn't really strike me as that odd. Wagons are so much more popular in AU, that if you want that kind of utility, you'll most likely be getting a wagon anyway. (not that i think it wouldn't be a good option, just sayin)

I suppose. But some of us don't want to look like we're old, or a father.

That kind of makes sense I guess

Need someone to find these spec-b seats for wagons!!!

Ohh and what about getting classic soft trim or catzkin to do seats in that combination?