Does anyone know of a good bucket seat that will bolt into a 65 cab?
I have Bronco II seats in there now. I wonder if some T-bird or even full size Bronco seats would work?
I'm not afraid of drilling into the floor.

 

Early Mustang bucket seats were a RANGER option.

I have the brackets you need to install them.

 

Try a set of Early Bronco Seats also

 

I have used seats out of a mid 90's Sentra and a mid 90's BMW that both worked well. Had to make mounting brackets of course, but they fit well. I used a set from a late 90's Taurus on one but they didn't fit as well. They set too high and took some extra fabrication to get them low enough to keep your head from hitting the roof. I liked the BMW best as they are leather with power, and didn't have the height problem with those nor the Sentra seats.

 

1965/66 Rangers used 1965/66 Mustang bucket seats and the (non GT) 1965 or 1966 seat upholstery. The Mustang seat tracks (1965/70 are the same) were also used.

1966 Bronco's used these same seats & upholstery, the tracks are Bronco only. 1967/77 Bronco's used the same seats, but the various upholstery patterns (depends on the year) and tracks are different.

The brackets (there are 4, one for each seat track) Bill W is speaking of are necessary, because they raise and level the Mustang bucket seats off the trucks floor pan.

These bolt to the floor pan, then to the Mustang seat tracks.

 

GT 65-66 Mustangs have the exact same upholstery as non-GT cars unless either was ordered with the interior decor group (pony interior). Pony interior, like the Ranger package was designated by a different letter in the body code (B) instead of A for standard interior or C for bench front seat. GT was a performance package available on A code 4bbl Mustangs and K code HIPO Mustangs only. It involved disc front brakes, a quick ratio manual steering box (no change for power steering), a better sway bar and dual exhaust with tips that exited through the rear valance (among other unexplained FoMoCo differences).
If you're shopping for correct ranger-style seats, avoid the ones with the horses on them. They have the exact same frame, but the foam and upholster is different and you'll have to use custom upholstery or live with horses on the upholstery in the pickup.
Bill W and I have reproduced the correct Ranger brackets pattered after the originals which are the easiest way to put stock-looking buckets in these trucks. If you just want to depart from the bouncy original bench, find some buckets you like and make them work. Ive seen all kinds of seats in these trucks over the years, but I personally prefer seats that match the Spartan look of the original interior rather than the plush Cadillac seats people usually use.

 

Anyone know if a set of bucket seats from a '66 Fairlane will work with the repro Ranger mounts? I have a pair from my Fairlane race car that are in great shape and the correct color.

 

The way the brackets work is they bolt into the factory outside location using the original bolts. Ford drilled new holes in the floor on the inside to support the inside seat brackets. If the brackets bolt to the bottom of the seats the extra width of the Fairlane seat won't matter because you'll drill holes in the floor where you need them. You could probably pretty simply modify the brackets to work if they aren't perfect for the Fairlane bucket. Measure the distance between the mounting studs on the tracks and I'll give you an idea if it will work.

 

measure the distance between the front and back stud... should be 11 inches on center

side to side dont matter

 

I thought I was after the high back look, until I saw the mustang seats in Bill W's post. I think I will look for something like that. This will be primarily an off road rig, so price is key. More than likley I will use the BII seats in there and watch for a deal.
Thanks for the input and suggestions. I am fairly new to the Ford world and need all the help I can get.

 

My Fairlane buckets measure 12 inches on center. Is there enough "meat" there on the bracket to make this work?

 

yes there is.

no, i take that back... you would be very close to the edge ov the bracket with the hole. that may not be safe in a crash.

you could weld a 3/16 piece of plate to the back edge and make it work, but that is up to you.

 

I installed bucket seats out of a 93 Geo Prizm into my 62 F-250 it was very easy, just some angle iron a tiny bit of welding and a few hours.