I have a fixed bench seat out of a mystery vehicle in my truck right now. I will use it if I can't find another, but it is fixed and doesn't recline foward to get behind the seat. So I am looking for a bench seat that doesn't have to be fancy. What are you guys using?

 

Hi Stevo,

Well not to be a Smart A, the original bench seat from 49-52 fits. We are still running a thread about seat pedistals here somewhere that talks about raising seats up to better levels.

I know that the subcompact truck seats - S-10, Ranger, Toyota and the Dodge equivilant will fit as well. A lot of folks are putting individual buckets in side by side. I bought an S-10 60/40 seat with the center arm rest and cup holder for my 51, but actually liked the stock seat better.

I live in So. Calif and we have alot of guys who come up from Mexico to work in upholstry shops and they do some very cool things with the stock seats - lumbar support, arm rests, etc.

I think the critical measurement is 50 inches. This too depends on whether you are putting in arm rests etc.

Good Luck,
J!

 

No offense taken. I have had little luck locating a stock seat in usable condition. I found one on ebay, but the shipping was 375.00 way too much. If you know of a good source locally in california for stock seats I'm interested. Thanks, Steve.

 

I used a 90 Ford Ranger regular cab bench seat in my 48. It fits well and with a little work you can even used the stock seat frame with it. It folds forward just like the original so you can access the tool tray behind the seat and the thinner back gives you more room at the column. I sawed about 3 inches off the rear seat frame legs to lean it back some too and that make it feel like you are not leaning forward in the seat.

 

I just located a power split bench from a 2003 Chrysler Intrepid with the fold down arm rest with flip out cup holders. The seats measure 52" wide, which is the same width as the stock bench seat. Nice looking comfortable seats that will accommodate 3 people. I had originally purchased a split bench from a Ranger and found it to be too narrow so I am just gonna toss them.

I was initially looking for a set of power leather buckets from an 02-06 GM pickup but then I would need to build a console and then would only be limited to two occupants in the truck. So I think that anything you can find under 52" wide that is not positioned too far forward (will affect leg room and space behind the steering wheel) you should be alright.

 

I don't recall the actual width of my 90 Ranger seat. I think it was very close to 51 inches and it wasn't too narrow at all...

 

I'm also looking for a seat option the width isn't my biggest problem

the floor in my truck is 6" closer to the dash and the driveshaft tunnel is 7 inches above that
so the center of my floor is 13" higher than stock so all benches ive tried the backrest is in the real window quite a bit

 

I guess that's up to your personal preference. The new seats I picked up today have more padding, nicer head rests and nice bolsters with a better fold down arm rest and they are even the right color. I gave my ranger seats away for nothing. Too bad one of you guys wasn't closer......

 

I suppose so. I don't like headrests in an old truck and the Ranger seat looks more original which is the look I wanted. Wish I had another one for my 49...

 

I'm not sure what seat I have! I guess I'll be scrounging aroud looking for one. Any leads on a stock seat let me know! Thanks.

 

Since its fixed and doesn't recline I'd say it's probably a rear or third seat or possibly a front seat from a 4 door. Jeep or van rear seats have been used as well as third seats from Explorers....

 

I am going to the junk yard tomorrow. Let me see if I can find a 03 Intrepid seat as you mentioned for my 49 Ford F1.