Seat Cover

Remove and replace the leather or synthetic seat cover on the driver or passenger seat of a 2008 Dodge Viper, including removal of seat from vehicle and disassembly of seat frame to access cover attachment points.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Seat cover kit (driver or passenger) × 1 — Use OEM specification or aftermarket equivalent for 2008 Viper
• Hog rings (if reusing is not possible) × 20 — Standard upholstery hog rings

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Move seat to full forward position to access rear mounting bolts.
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes (if seat has power adjustments or airbag components).
4. Photograph seat cover details, seams, and attachment points from multiple angles for reference during reinstallation.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove seat rear mounting bolts
   With seat in full forward position, locate the two rear seat mounting bolts at the rear of the seat tracks. Remove both rear mounting bolts using the correct driver (verify Torx size or hex head against the 2008 Viper service manual before applying force). Set bolts aside and keep organized.
2. 2

   Remove seat front mounting bolts
   Slide seat to full rearward position to access front mounting bolts. Remove the two front seat mounting bolts using the correct driver (verify Torx size or hex head against the 2008 Viper service manual). Carefully tilt seat back slightly to check for any remaining electrical connections.
3. 3

   Disconnect electrical connections and remove seat
   The 2008 Viper uses manual seats; if the seat has an occupancy sensor or airbag-related connector, disconnect the electrical connector(s) under the seat by pressing the release tab and pulling the connector apart. Lift seat assembly out of vehicle and place on a clean work surface with adequate space.
4. 4

   Remove seat back cover lower attachment
   With seat on work surface, locate the hog rings or plastic clips securing the bottom edge of the seat back cover to the seat frame. Using hog ring pliers or needle-nose pliers, carefully open and remove hog rings along the lower perimeter of the seat back. Count and note the number of hog rings for reinstallation.
5. 5

   Remove seat back cover side and top attachments
   Work around the sides and top of the seat back, removing hog rings that secure the cover to the frame. The Viper seat back typically has hog rings spaced every 2-3 inches around the perimeter. Carefully pull cover away from foam padding as hog rings are removed, taking care not to tear the foam or cover.
6. 6

   Remove seat cushion cover front attachment
   Flip seat assembly to access underside of seat cushion. Locate hog rings or J-clips securing the front edge of the seat cushion cover to the seat frame. Remove these fasteners using hog ring pliers, working from one side to the other.
7. 7

   Remove seat cushion cover remaining attachments
   Continue removing hog rings around the sides and rear of the seat cushion cover. The cover is typically secured to the frame at multiple points underneath the cushion. Once all fasteners are removed, carefully pull the seat cushion cover off the foam padding. Inspect foam for damage or deterioration.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect seat frame and foam
   With covers removed, clean the seat frame of any debris or broken hog ring fragments. Inspect foam padding for tears, compression damage, or deterioration. Replace foam if significantly degraded. Check that all hog ring attachment points on the frame are intact and not damaged.
9. 9

   Install new seat cushion cover
   Position the new seat cushion cover over the foam padding, aligning seams and ensuring proper orientation (refer to photos taken during removal). Starting at the front center, stretch the cover evenly over the foam. Working from center outward, secure the cover to the frame using new or reused hog rings at each attachment point. Ensure cover is tensioned evenly without wrinkles.
10. 10

    Install new seat back cover
    Position the new seat back cover over the seat back foam, aligning the seams and ensuring the cover orientation matches the original. Begin securing the cover at the bottom center with hog rings, then work outward and upward around the perimeter. Maintain even tension on the cover to avoid wrinkles or loose areas. Ensure all seams are properly aligned and the cover fits snugly.
11. 11

    Inspect cover installation and adjust
    Examine the installed seat covers from all angles, checking for proper seam alignment, even tension, and secure attachment at all hog ring points. Adjust any areas where the cover appears loose or misaligned by repositioning hog rings. Ensure no foam is exposed and all cover edges are properly tucked and secured.
12. 12

    Reinstall seat assembly into vehicle
    Carefully lift the seat assembly and position it over the mounting points in the vehicle. If applicable, reconnect electrical connectors under the seat, ensuring they click into place securely. Align the seat tracks with the floor mounting holes.
13. 13

    Install front seat mounting bolts
    With seat in rearward position, install the two front seat mounting bolts and tighten using the correct driver. Hand-tighten first to ensure proper thread engagement, then torque to the 2008 Viper factory specification (verify in service manual). Slide seat forward to access rear bolts.
14. 14

    Install rear seat mounting bolts
    Install the two rear seat mounting bolts and tighten using the correct driver, torquing to the 2008 Viper factory specification (verify in service manual). Ensure all four mounting bolts are fully seated and torqued correctly, as loose seat mounts are a safety hazard.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect negative battery terminal if disconnected.
2. Test seat movement through full range of travel to ensure mounting bolts are secure and no interference occurs.
3. If seat has power adjustments, test all functions (forward/back, recline, height if applicable) to verify electrical connections are secure.

Verification

• Visually inspect seat cover for proper fit, even tension, and aligned seams with no wrinkles or exposed foam.
• Check that all hog rings are securely closed and the cover cannot be pulled away from the frame at any attachment point.
• Firmly grasp seat and attempt to rock it side-to-side and front-to-back to confirm all mounting bolts are tight.
• Operate seat through full range of motion (if power seat) or manually slide and recline seat to ensure no binding or unusual noises.
• Verify seat belt operates normally and is not caught or interfered with by the new seat cover.

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