I was reading the Haynes manual and I noticed that the middle passenger bench seat can be replaced with a bucket seat. There are 2 mounts in the floor. Each mount can be used for a bucket seat.

This is true isn't it?
Does the seat have a lumbar support control? A back lowering lever? A slide forwards and backwards control?

I was thinking of going to the junkyard and getting some. Or would it be worth it at all?

Would the front heater be able to keep the back warm enough? Our 1997 does not have the rear heater.

Thanks for any info.

 

The seats can fit in the bench holders. I have not seen the lumbar model. They do recline just like the front seats.

The bad news is, good luck finding them. I have searched for several years for them and have only found 2 in terrible condition.

Good luck!

John

 

The back buckets don't come with lumbar like the front and they don't slide back and forth but they are comfortable.....and some have the lever to lean the bucket forward and out of the way for easy entry and exit...

 

I suspect the later models may be different but on my 86 the "middle" buckets are a bit annoying. Though they recline, they don't lean forward. This means that anyone that's not a small child has to climb up and in between them to get into the back seat. Annoying. Other than reclining and the movable armrests they are fixed in place are have no lumbar.
On the plus side, my passengers say they are much more comfy than the usual "short" middle bench seat. Also they are are bit easier to remove and reinstall than 1 big seat.
Make sure your floor has the 8 floor mounts required, instead of the usual 4 for a bench. I've seen vans come both ways, and cargo vans usually have no rear seat mounts at all. Good luck finding some!
(Edit)Rcooch5 says some do tilt forward. I guess Ford got a clue along the line somewhere. Definitely a feature to look for!

 

I have the 4 buckets( see gallery) and the seat closest to the door has a lever that tilts the bucket forward......it works perfectly with very little effort and really opens up the access to the back...also comes in handy sometimes when you need a little more cargo room

 

I have the buckets in my '91 (great for keeping the kids apart)and the passenger side does tilt forward. I saw an identical set in a u-pull-it, but unfortunately that van had an interior fire and the smell was terrible. Could have gotten them cheap too. I had toyed with the idea of putting a second set in the rear instead of the third row (2 ton) bench,but it looks like the wheel well humps would be in the way by about an inch or so...

 

I got ripped, everybody else's seats tilt. And yes, I checked to make sure I didn't have the seats reversed. Mine just do not tilt forward. The armrests are different so I'm pretty sure I don't have two left seats. Who knows?