Don't consider this if you're looking for an inexpensive, bolt-right-in seat option. I wanted a 40-20-40 seat because I like the comfort of buckets, but still have the option of sitting someone in the center. I found a set I liked from a 2010 F-150 at a local truck dismantler and the price was right. The cool thing, as they are "late" model seats, I could find all the plastic trim for any that was broken and a set of brand new OEM fabric seat covers (more $)to replace the damaged vinyl ones....I guess the 2010 was in an accident. Trouble was, the seat backs were way too tall and occupied a good portion of the rear window. So I stripped the seats, took 4.5-inches out of the back height and re-welded them, keeping the headrest portion intact. That means the original foam had to be shortened/modified/contoured to the tune of 4.5-inches (and a little $). Also meant the OEM seat covers had to be unstitched and re-sewn to the tune of 4.5-inches (and some more $). I re-sculpted the stock headrests, which were obnoxiously large to be smaller, have a more subtle contour and less forward lean. The upholsterer made custom covers for my modified headrests (yea, more $). The jump seat frame had to be shortened 1.5-inches, but the vinyl cover could remain. Also, I had to shorten the little cubby inside by the same amount. It also has a pull-out cupholder which I didn't have to modify. I had to make my own mounting frames and each mounting bracket by hand. I do like the way they turned out and are very comfortable. They'll look better with the plastic trim pieces and the saran wrap removed. Now that I've had time to really look at the installation, I think I'll drop the seat height another inch. They sit just about equal to the stock bench seat height, currently. A lot of trouble for a cupholder!!

 

Nice work, they look comfy too!

 

Nice work. I have the same seats in my 2010 F-150 and can attest to the headrests leaning forward too much. What did you do to reduce the lean forward? Was it just contouring the foam or did you modify the framing? Thanks.

 

Looks awesome; I'm putting in 03 Navigator bucket seats w/ console in my wife's 65 F100; I agree the factory height is over whelming the back window. I like the layout of the third seat option you got there as well. Very nice setup; excellent work you've done.

 

carras:
I have read where someone just bent the stem in a vise, but that didn't sound like a good idea to me. I was able to cut down the foam, starting with my wife's electric knife. Now I owe her a new one. Finished with a coarse roloc disk on an angle die grinder. The frame was nearly exposed, but the black foam you see in the photos is really dense stuff and harder to cut. The upholsterer could have resewn my original headrest covers, except we changed to fabric rather than vinyl.
Customcab: Thanks for the feedback!! I'm kind of new when it comes to engineering modifications...is taking me a long time. I'm glad I don't have a deadline. The middle seat can lay down as an armrest or up as a seat. It has a storage cubby under the seat and a cupholder that slides out the front. Also added 3-point seatbelts with the mounts in the B pillar. The receptacles were welded in and the pillar was reinforced with a second layer of metal that I borrowed from another cab which was parted out.

 

Resonateur, Thanks for the explanation and description of what you did.

 

Reviving this old thread.

resonateur, do you remember what section of the foam you cut down? It looks like I have no choice but to cut the the top off. I may cut the foam down on the back side of the seat also to try and get another inch for the seat to go back.
thanks

 

Ruler...I recall pretty well. The seat bottoms weren’t altered, which is cool because I have spare seat bottom covers in case I need to change them down the line. The back foams were shortened 4” by cutting along factory seam and taking off height. The oem seat covers were unstitched in the same place, where the insert fabric meets the surround, and 4” was removed before they were re-stitched. I get your wanting to move the seats back further. I did thin the foam on the middle console to get more clearance when it is in the up position, but it wasn’t really necessary. I was concerned about thinning the foam on the seat backs as I didn’t think there was enough to work with.
Looking back, I probably could have gained another inch or so, but it would have made the seat covers more complicated to modify. Not an issue if you’re having custom covers made. I hope the description helps!!

 

Also!! I didn’t cut the top because I wanted the proportions of the seat covers to look correct....but I get it, that cutting from the top gives you more clearance from behind. Just sit them in place, study them, then have a beer.

 

Thanks!

I will be having the seats reupholstered down the line but want to get some miles on them after I cut them down. Sitting in the truck feels fine but I find on hour plus rides I get a little uncomfortable due to leg room. It is an improvement over my back hurting from the old seat but I think I can get it better.

I think I will try your method and maybe trim the foam height and width at the top to gain a little room. I got the back seat when I bought my seats so I tore them down first for practice. They are much thinner. I think I will try and mimic them some.


Rear seat thickness.

Thanks for the help!

 

Possibly, if you cut that frame and shorten it, it will also move it forward...