[Freddie32001]

Do this at your own risk. The SRS System uses highly dangerous explosives to deploy the air bags. To be on the safe side I disconnected the battery (COBB AP users, be sure to reflash your realtime map when you are completed). You are responsible for your own safety!!

This "How To" is just for the side air bags only.

Note: To use the JDM V9 Seats and have a fully fucntioning SRS System other modifications must be made. You must transfer the passenger side occupancy detector/bladder and drivers side position detector and seat rails to make this a complete swap. (see the last issue of Subie Sport, they did a write up for these items)

Tools Needed

- 10mm driver
- 12mm socket
- 14mm socket
- ratchet or impact gun
- philips screw driver
- L-hook or J-hook pick
- Scissors
- Super sharp blade
- Hook needle
- black thread
- sharpie ink marker
- 1/4" high speed drill bit
- Drill
- Zip Ties
- Diagnal cutters
- 4x 10mm Cap Screws (retained from USDM Air Bag seat bracket)
- 4x - 6mm x 12mm metric bolts (Grade 5 or stronger)
- flash light
- a beer of your choice and a stool to take a break when you get frustraited!

[Freddie32001]

Pull zippers out from behind your stock seats.



Fully unzipp the zippers to expose the side air bag.



Pull the seat cover forward as shown.



Pull up the cover just enough to expose the air bag mounting bracket.



Remove the tape that is holding the air bag harness wire to the bottom rail.



Remove the two cap nuts (10mm)



Remove the side air bag



Now that the air bag is out...take a 10min break!!!

[Freddie32001]

Using a pic tool, remove plastic caps on height lever and recliner lever. Remove 12mm Bolt on reclining lever and philipps screw on reclining handle. Remove the two philip screws from the front and rear of the cover.



These are all the pieces that need to be removed to expose the seat back bolts. Note the yellow clip on the inside of the cover. Pull panel away from the seat to un-snap the clip.



Remove the two 14mm bolts on from the seat pivot.



Repeat the process for the other side of the seat. Remove the philips screws



one in the rear



two more 14mm bolts that need to be removed from the pivot



Remove the seat back from the base. Be sure to unclip the harness from underneath the seat base. Hmmmmm its break time! Take 10!!!! Your going to need it for the next step!!!

[Freddie32001]

Before starting this step. Be aware that the front part of the seat cover is glued to the foam. Do not try to seperate the two. The Cover and foam will slide off the rail as a whole.


Using a pic hook, fish it through the zipper end and catch the zipper hoop.


Use the hook to expose the zipper



Completely unzip the zipper



From the back of the seat, unlatch the seat back cover.



Open the seat up and take a look inside to see what you are dealing with. A flash light will come in handy here.



Now comes the fun part (NOT)!!! slide the seat back off from the frame. This is a big PITA! So take your time alternately pushing from the bottom and pulling from the top. Be carefull to pay attention to the side bulster supports. You will have to pull the foam over them to clear it.


It took about 10 minutes to get to this point


About 20 minutes later...the seat cover/foam assembly is seperated from the frame!!! I think Im going to take a 15 minute break....I need a beer! The next step is the fun part...I get to DRILL some metal!!!

[Freddie32001]

Inspect your side air bag. Each Bag is clearly marked with an R for passenger side and L for Drivers side.




This is the R-Passenger side Bag. Place the bag sguarley against the side bolster support and fram. The mounting bracket will be attached from the rear of the seat frame. Mark the bracket using the first and third whole from the bottom.




Using a 1/4" high speed drill bit and drill, drill through the marks that you made. You may need to use a center punch to prevent your bit from squirming around. The bit I used was brand new and started the hole like it was butter.



Holes Drilled!




Use a minimum of a grade 5 bolt sized 6mm x 8mm (two per air bag). Insert the bolts from the inside out. Use the cap nuts that you removed from the USDM Seat to attach the air bag to your newly drilled holes. Once your bag is mounted, used JDM Yellow SRS Zip ties to attach the air bag harness as shown.( Any type zip ties may be used) I used yellow since all air bag wires and connectors are yellow.





Side Air Bag Mounted! Rear View



Front View.
Your done with the easy part. Take another 10 min break and have another beer!!!!

[Freddie32001]

The outer foam of the JDM V9 seat must be cut to accomadate the newly installed Side Air Bags. I used a red marker to show where I cut. Use a new blade to score the red line. Once scored, the foam can be cleanly torn out by hand. (Be sure you cut the correct side!!!! I almost cut the Wrong Side!!!)



Make the cut/score with an sharp blade




Here is the Piece that was cut out! This was a lot easier than I though it would be. Don't be nervous!!! Just make sure you measure, mark, re-measure then CUT!!!!



Once you have cut the foam....you can put the seatback over the frame....Yes this is a PITA too....so take your time and be patient.



Be aware that you have to work the foam over the boltster support. Oh and..getting the cover over the air bag....Major PITA.... take your time....it will eventully get back on....one inch at a time.



15 min later.....Viola!!!! Almost done!!! Go take another break!!!

[Freddie32001]

I carefully cut the SRS Tag from the USDM seats and attached them to the JDM Seats. I used a j-hook sewing needle to sew it on. Looks Awsome!!!


Looks good and Factory!!!

[Freddie32001]

Re-attach all the hardward and re-mount the seat back to the base.





Make sure all your connecters an harneses are secure. (this is a picture of the Passenger Side Blader and Occupancy Sensor that I transfered over....this needs to be another complete write-up...maybe later)



Re-install seats and Enjoy!!! These are fully set up, fully functional SRS (No Dreaded Air Bag Light) , driver and passenger side height adjustably JDM V9 Seats!!! I am 5"7 and 165 lbs. I have a 34" waist...all I can say is that these are a significant improvement over the Stock Seats. So if you have decided against the JDM V9 seats because of the lack of side air bags....Well....IT CAN BE DONE!!!! I just completed it today...PM me with any questions!!!!

[T3h_Clap]

subscribed, very interesting. I know a few others that might want to do this.

[JJ18Sniper]

Absolutely amazing writeup.... definitely a big thanks from this end.

[nullmod]

Great writeup. I do have a question, however. Do seats with airbags use special "breakaway" thread over the airbag, in order to make sure that the airbag can successfully deploy? In other words, is there any chance that the airbag will not be able to free itself from the confines of the new seat, if the JDM seat cover was not designed to let an airbag burst through the seam?

Very cool setup.

~Nullmod

[Freddie32001]

Originally Posted by nullmod

Great writeup. I do have a question, however. Do seats with airbags use special "breakaway" thread over the airbag, in order to make sure that the airbag can successfully deploy? In other words, is there any chance that the airbag will not be able to free itself from the confines of the new seat, if the JDM seat cover was not designed to let an airbag burst through the seam?

Very cool setup.

~Nullmod

I thought about this too. So I compared both seams. They are identical. I also noticed the the seat cover material is fairly thin (about the thickness of a t-shirt).

[spazegun2213]

Great write up!!!!

[Del]

Originally Posted by nullmod

Great writeup. I do have a question, however. Do seats with airbags use special "breakaway" thread over the airbag, in order to make sure that the airbag can successfully deploy? In other words, is there any chance that the airbag will not be able to free itself from the confines of the new seat, if the JDM seat cover was not designed to let an airbag burst through the seam?

Very cool setup.

~Nullmod

Will the USDM seat covers not fit?

[Freddie32001]

Originally Posted by Del

Will the USDM seat covers not fit?

The whole purpose of this mode is to retain the JDM Seat backs which have the bolsters closer together for a much snugger fit on your waist. The JDM Cover is glued to the seat foam. If you compare both covers, you will discover that they are very different.