Hello all,

This is more of an FYI then a plea for help. I started today after the rain to swap out the torn and cracked leather seats for the cloth ones the PO sent along with the Bronco. The passenger seat came out with no issues, but the driver side had a stuck nut and took some persuasion from a hammer and box end wrench before letting go.

I was able to get both seats out of the vehicle, but had to wait on getting the good ones installed, because they were behind the rear seat, and I was unable to get to them. I eventually was able to enlist the help of my neighbor, who crawled back there and brought the seats forward.

I found out that the seats from a F-150 are not a 100% bolt in to the Bronco. Three of the four mounting holes line up with no problems, but the inner rear mounting hole is not flat with the floorboard, it is at an angle. Looks like it bolts to the transmission tunnel in the F-150 where it should bolt to the floor.

On the passenger side, the stud came out with the nut attached on the inner side, so that is not an issue as the other three bolt on, and I can just have three bolts holding the seat down. However, the driver side the stud stayed in the floorboard, so I will attempt to either remove the stud, or bend the mounting tab on the seat to get it to fit. I am not sure I can bend the tab, but if I do, I will do the passenger side as well.

Jim

 

I was able to bend the two angled seat mounts, and finished installing the seats today. Amazing what one can accomplish when you can actually see what you are doing.



I did not use the middle cloth seat/folding console that came out of the F-150 because it had 4 studs, but no corresponding holes in the floorboard. There is nothing wrong with the console that came with the Bronco, except for a scratch I put there with one of the seat mounting tabs, so I just left it in.

Jim

 

Looks pretty comfy, if you got a table clamp in a garage or a neighbors that would let you use it you could probably bend that sucker. Or put a solid bar into the mount hole and put some weight into it, it might work. The last idea i can think of is maybe heating up the metal to bend, even though the strength might be compromised, you will have 3 others to rely on.

 

I was able to bend them with a pair of Vise-Grips. All 4 bolts/studs are holding down both seats. I feel exceptionally happy when a plan actually works I kept the center console/seat in the hopes that I can come up with a plan to install it somehow. One thing I did not count on though is the leather made it easier for me to slide over, the cloth hangs me up when getting in, and out. However, they sure are comfortable. I am going to keep the leather seats as well, so I can get them re-upholstered when I get my settlement, unless I find a good set in a junkyard.

Jim

 

Wow i thought the metal would have been too thick for vice grips, guess almost anything can be accomplished with some good vices. Shoot if the cloth hangs you up jut wrap some saran wrap on them

 

I thought so too, however, I was able to bend it enough on the drivers side, so I unbolted the passenger side, and did the same thing.

Jim

 

Nice. Before i got my bronco, i had/have a 88 ranger pickup and I wanted to put some Lincoln seats in but i didn't bother cause i didn't think i had the space for it. Plus i don't know where i will get those...

 

I had a 85 ranger 4x4, and there is definitely not enough room for Lincoln seats, unless you have the extended cab. I was going to put T-bird seats in mine, but mine was not the extended cab, so they would have sat too far upright to be comfortable.

Jim

 

Yup, mine was single cab non 4x4 with a 5spd. I also had a 10" slim sub behind the passenger seat and an amp behind the driver. Basically me being the driver almost had my knees in the dash and the passenger had about an inch between their knees and the glove box

 

Mine had no stereo, neither did the 76 F-250. This one has an old AM/FM cassette player with removable faceplate, but the lettering is almost all worn off, and I can't find the balance/fade controls, it currently only plays through the right speakers.

Jim

 

Ya mine had the original cassette player in it and it started having problems so i had CarToys install one. My old one has all the parts and the cassette works it just seems to get fuzzy with the radio and there was something else but i can't remember.

 

Just checked the Crutchfield site, and for $250 I can get a Kenwood head unit, and two sets of Kenwood speakers. Put them on my wish list. Of course, I can always go to ebay and get something cheaper. Since I have no money to spend on a stereo system, I figure it can't hurt to do some window shopping.

 

Ya that never hurts, i window shop everyday when i drive the used vehicles on our car lot ;]

 

I used to do that when I worked security for a Buick dealer. Got to drive the then new Buick Regal Grand National. What a trip that was.

 

Thats funny cause is work as a lot attendant at a Buick GMC dealership so i get to drive all the new buick Regals and Lacrosse's