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I'll have to look back thru some pictures to see if I documented the seat build. I used flat springs from a Dodge Caravan rear seat. Used the stockseat frame of my truck, then welded the Caravan front and rear bracket onto the frame, stretched the springs into place. The rear of the seat had slight shaping to offer lower lumbr support, had to add extra springs as the truck frame was slighter larger.
I'm sure LMC or Carpenter offers a foam kit, I used high density foam, then had it upholstered.
I had to "shave" some pf the foam from the rear section as it was too thick, theres not a lot of clearance in these trucks.
I'll have to look back thru some pictures to see if I documented the seat build. I used flat springs from a Dodge Caravan rear seat. Used the stockseat frame of my truck, then welded the Caravan front and rear bracket onto the frame, stretched the springs into place. The rear of the seat had slight shaping to offer lower lumbr support, had to add extra springs as the truck frame was slighter larger.
I'm sure LMC or Carpenter offers a foam kit, I used high density foam, then had it upholstered.
I had to "shave" some pf the foam from the rear section as it was too thick, theres not a lot of clearance in these trucks.
Tom
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing! Please post the in progress pics if you can find them. I think we will head over this weekend and try to pick up the frame and a few other parts.
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing! Please post the in progress pics if you can find them. I think we will head over this weekend and try to pick up the frame and a few other parts.
YES,YES, you must share the pics. Your seat is just what we need. I am trying to use a bench seat from a '70. Springs are shot and I have to take a couple inches out of it 'cause it's too long. To compound matters the only upholsterer I can afford doesn't speak English. Where did you access the high density foam?
Sourced the foam from a local supplier for upholstery materials; did shaping and then jobbed out to an upholsterer as I don't have a sewing machine.
There are aftermarket suppliers of seat kits; not too pricey. The seat is 4" , the back is shaved down to 3".
Will be looking through old pics and post if any are relevant. I remember adding a piece if 1" X 3" tubing along the back-bottom for anchoring the flat springs. The Caravan seat had a "bracket" along the length of the seat that the springs slid into, which I tack welded to the front of frame rail, I had additional springs, as truck seat required more springs because of width of seat.
You might try searching "seat" in Classic Truck magazine, for options and ideas:
From this you can see the Caravan frame is smaller than truck frame; so I used more springs . I also installed a piece of rectangular tubing along the back of the bench, to anchor the springs. I used 1/4" round rod to build up the back portion.
Did not use plywood but jute covering before foam.
From this you can see the Caravan frame is smaller than truck frame; so I used more springs . I also installed a piece of rectangular tubing along the back of the bench, to anchor the springs. I used 1/4" round rod to build up the back portion.
Did not use plywood but jute covering before foam.
Tom
Thanks for the pic and the info. Yes it helps. I saw somewhere in a truck build where they scrapped the spring concept and went with a solid metal pan. The theory was that in the OLD DAYS the suspensions were so truck like that the seat springs kept you alive. Now with better suspension and better materials you could update your seat to more of the modern style. I think they used a high density foam for the base and a softer foam for the top. I can't find the article. Anyone seen this article, do anything like this, or have an opinion if it would work? I think some of the T buckets are built this way because of room constraints. And I guess booth seats at restaurants.
the original seat in my 51 is in good shape except the drivers side the springs are very weak and sag down a lot,i guess that some where along the way some one must have been on the heavy side and never used the running boards to get in and out of i guess that they just slid in and out,maybe i should take flat ernies seat if no one else does i live in HUDSON, FL
Maybe that is all the excuse we need to get together for breakfast. You, Flat Ernie, and me, somewhere central to the three of us.
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