I'd like to thank you guys ahead of time for the advice on greasing the king pins to loosen up the steering. It made a huge difference even though you still have to fight to drive the thing. At least now it is so much safer.

My next question, my dad still has the original seat, covering, foam/cotton on the truck. Basically, the seats are untouched since 1960 and are in horrible shape. What do you vets recommend?...........upholster the original seats or buy used seats off of a newer vehicle and bolt them in? I'm looking to keep costs on the lower side so I can stay married. If I buy seats off of an older truck I'm looking for something that will bolt in and not need much modification. I'm keeping the truck white and going with the factory ford blue for the interior.

Thank you in advance,

The Dude

 

Dude, many years ago I had a 57 that I put a seat from a 74 into and I don't recall there being any issues. I also ended up putting the 57 seat into a 69. I can't remember if they were exact bolt ins or if I had to modify things a little but they did fit the cab ok.

 

My '58 has a seat I think from a mid sixties Ford. The only problem I've noticed is the back hits the armrest when trying to fold it forward from the pass side. It's no problem from the driver side because I have no armrest on the passenger door. A decent later model seat will be less expensive than reupholstering the original, but whatever you do, hold on to it. Someday you'll probably want it!

 

88-98 GM C/K truck seats work great perrrrfect height 4 easy holes to drill excellent width.
best thing is cheap & plentiful

Mikie
near ottawa canada
58 Merc100 panel & 64 econoline p/u

 

My dad had the seat in his '60 F250 reupholstered with heavy "Naugahyde". It lasted for over 40 years. Didn't start falling apart from sun damage until a few years after I had inherited the truck.

The main problem I had with seating in it was, the height of the seat (stock), the lowness of the windshield (stock) and my height. I'm 6' 7". I had to duck to see out the windshield, very uncomfortable to drive for long periods.

 

My nephew gave me a reupholstered seat from his 59 F600 and it's like that. I'm only 6" and my head touches the headliner in my 59

 

6" tall? You've got a sagging headliner!

 

Even being 6' 7" tall, I had no problems with headroom in the truck. My problem was seeing more than 10' past the hood. And forget about using the sun visors! Then the only thing I could see out the windshield was the hood.

 

I have a seat from a mid 80s f150 in my 59. It's a good height. It didn't take long to modify and it is extremely comfortable. At 5'-6" I can even see over the dash. And WB, you said you were 6". And I thought I was a gnome...... Oh, Happy New Year to all.

 

You can find original '57-'60 Ford Truck Seat Covers on eBay, that is where I found mine.

 

Ooh, I did say 6"...well, we won't even go down that rabbit trail