Bench seat replacement
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Bench seat replacement
I know up to '97 will interchange easily. Has anyone here ever attempted to install a '98 on up bench seat on their rig? Curios if anyone knows of any serious fit up problems. TIA
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Bench seat replacement
After four months I finally got around to getting a new/used seat installed. A '98 and up BENCH seat will work, but it requires using the old tracks with the new seat. Drilling and tapping holes is in order (4 X 5/16-18 use 1/4" Drill). The two problems I encountered were: 1) the gage sheet metal the seat's base is made of is way to thin. Welding some 1/4" patches of steel to the regions were drilling and tapping is needed would be the ticket. 2) The seat sits very low, so low that the seat can adjust / slide past the seat belt bolts -Need to keep the old stockers. The 1/4 inch plate may do the trick in lifting it just enough. I'm thankfull that I'm 5'10" and the seat adjusts far enough back for me, but anyone over six foot may need the extra room -it has limited because the head rest contacts the rear window early. My bench is now very firm, I only wish I could have found one with an armrest. I'm going to have a buddy spot weld the rails to the bench frame - that should work in securing it out right. The 60-40-60 style will not work with such ease. Cheers!
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Great NW
Bench seat replacement
Just FYI...
I recently installed a 1996 Ford 40/20/40 bench in my '74 which includes an armrest (the "20" bench folded down) and has storage/cupholders integral to the armrest. Additionally, it has auto-lumbar support (nice).
This was an almost perfect bolt-in,with the exception of only being able to use 3 instead of 4 bolts holding the unit down. I had to modify one seat-to-floor attachment to work and had to wire up the seats. Still very easy. I COULD NOT utilize the old bench runners on these particular new seats as they required the use of their own seat frame.
I am using my old lap belts and the seat sits about 2" HIGHER than the original bench seat. This is nice because you have a better vantage point from the truck, but might create a leg clearance problem for some of ya'll if you don't have a tilt column and use the bigger Non-PS steering wheel like my truck. I am certainly not skinny in the leg area but the whole thing works for me, just fine.
And if I may say so, since I installed this seat last week, my truck has been running so much better!!!
I recently installed a 1996 Ford 40/20/40 bench in my '74 which includes an armrest (the "20" bench folded down) and has storage/cupholders integral to the armrest. Additionally, it has auto-lumbar support (nice).
This was an almost perfect bolt-in,with the exception of only being able to use 3 instead of 4 bolts holding the unit down. I had to modify one seat-to-floor attachment to work and had to wire up the seats. Still very easy. I COULD NOT utilize the old bench runners on these particular new seats as they required the use of their own seat frame.
I am using my old lap belts and the seat sits about 2" HIGHER than the original bench seat. This is nice because you have a better vantage point from the truck, but might create a leg clearance problem for some of ya'll if you don't have a tilt column and use the bigger Non-PS steering wheel like my truck. I am certainly not skinny in the leg area but the whole thing works for me, just fine.
And if I may say so, since I installed this seat last week, my truck has been running so much better!!!
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