Swapping single cab bench to buckets

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Apr 25, 2011 | 07:48 PM

Jaime74656

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From: Earth

Swapping single cab bench to buckets

Ok I got a question and i seem to get the round the bush answers, what I want to do is take my single bench and pull that out, and replace it with a "split bench" meanning I want either 20/40/20 or a 20/60 bench with both (or all) pieces adjustable for people of various hights, mainly a 20/60 with center arm rest if possible. now I know I can (supposidly) take parts from trucks as early as the '87 model, can I also use seats from a 1996 model as well and if so what besides the seat and tracking will I need to change, and will I have to mod any thing or will they be direct bolt in?

main reason i need to have the split bench is because I am alot smaller then my partner who is 6.5 feet tall (im 5.3 feet)

Apr 25, 2011 | 08:48 PM

Staveys150

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From: Moyock

ive put 40 20 40 seats in before... all you need is a drill, some bits and some bolts.

i know a couple people who have ran superduty bucket seats with our year trucks with just drilling holes

Apr 26, 2011 | 04:09 PM

Jaime74656

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From: Earth

ok what would be the simplest route to go for a swap out to a split bench for my truck?

Apr 26, 2011 | 05:04 PM

GBuckert

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From: Laramie, WY

I don't know if there are any seats that will swap without some sort of custom mounting, but I don't know that much about the interiors of these. I have seen it done where they guy drilled holes in the floorboard and then just used some metal straps and strapped the seat rails down. Don't do that! Guy wanted $2k for his pickup and I could pull the seats off the floor.

How ever you end up doing it, just make sure they're mounted firmly. No point in gaining legroom if you're just going to be sliding all around.

Of course you could always have the tallest person drive. Works for me because I'm 6' 8" and like driving

Apr 26, 2011 | 09:15 PM

Jaime74656

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From: Earth

well the only time my partner plans to be in said truck is if he needs a ride or his car takes a $h1t like I know most Kias tend to do at most times...lol...yea I could let him drive but its my truck lol, plus we may take it on a long road trip to NC and he needs to be able to ride comfortably too when hes not drivin, he doesnt want to always drive the truck either, LOL plus I also have had a thing for bucket type seats anyways!!

Apr 26, 2011 | 10:37 PM

blkfordsedan

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From: Beatrice, NE

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for his KIA to break down! They are welldesigned and built with Mazda drivetrains, just like the Ford Escorts, Festivas, Probes, Mercury Cougars, Tracers, etc..

Apr 26, 2011 | 11:03 PM

GBuckert

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From: Laramie, WY

Did any Ford trucks of the era come with buckets? In my mind they should be a simple swap if so, but I'm only saying that because seat swapping in my Porsche is as simple as finding a decent seat and bolting it in. I don't know if Ford used the same sort of universality with the seats in their pickups though.

I can't imagine it would be too much work though, at most a new bracket would need to be fabricated to fit a different seat. Maybe check out some local junkyards and see what's available? It's possible that the easiest swap would be a seat that's uncomfortable for you. You can check out how they're mounted at the same time.