Looking for OEM Leather Seats 04 E-350

cyerger57 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 08:34 AM

We have an 04 E-350 Van with 4 captains chairs in cloth. We're looking to upgrade to leather but all of the conversion ones are more "Fu-Fu", "Plush" than the factory ones are. Does anyone know of a good source for a set of seats for this van? We'd like them to be heated and power adjustable. The seats we currently have are just drivers side power and not heated. We've been looking on EBay but it doesn't seem that van accessories are very plentiful. I'm not sure why but everyone's seemed to have switched to Excursions. Can't imagine why you wouldn't want the extra space of a van......We love ours.

YoGeorge · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 03:22 PM

I've got a 2002 E150 conversion and it had horrible captain's chairs--I have a bad back. I was able to get two new cloth OEM captain's chairs for it (in gray, same color as the rest of the interior--with manual bases and sliders) for about $400, from a converter in Elkhart Indiana.

Issues: my van had a factory power seat base on the driver's side but for conversions, they use a different seat mount than for factory seats(!?), so I was not able to use it. Fortunately, the new seats came with factory bases, so I actually converted to a manual base. I redrilled the mounting holes on the driver's side about an inch and a half back from original (I'm tall) and used washer stacks to raise the front of the cushion. Result is the most comfortable vehicle I own.

Although I like the adjustability of power seats, I also prefer less electric crap--IF I can get the right seating position without the power. (I have a '91 BMW with sport seats, and a 2003 Mazda Protege5, both with 6 or 8-way manual seats. Both work fine for me.)

As for leather, you will likely need to find a totalled Chateau with Traveler package and healthy seats. I do not think Ford makes heated van seats; nor do I think they make a power base for the passenger side. Also, the pedestals for the center row (as well as mount holes) are likely gonna be different. The OEM center row is mounted really close to the front row compared to conversions. (I kept the conversion seats in the center and rear).

Although I like leather for the durability, cloth is way more comfortable.

Good luck,
George

cyerger57 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 08:07 PM

George, You wouldn't still have that power base that you removed would you? Maybe I could make the power base work for the passanger side????? My name is Chris Yerger - cyerger@mhkennel.com