So I watch this place often but don't say much as you are way more talented then me. Once in a while I will ask a question, looking for some help. So I thought I would show you some progress that has me excited. for a couple of reasons. I am leaning how to weld. This is also my first build so am living a dream as such. The truck is a '53. I wanted to put buckets in it, as I like the comfort of them. The motor has just over 400 hp so it will scoot along. With a Corvette suspension system this should be great. Went to a local u pick it yard and found some seats out of a Monte Carlo that looked great, did not have any sagging or rips in them, and a bonus they are the right colour for the build. First step was to get the height right.

After that I got some cold rolled steel bent up to a height of 5" with 3" on the bottom and 2 1/2" on the top where the seats will mount. So it is a "u" shape. Started cutting it so I could make three pieces into a "u" shape. I wanted to leave the back open. You will not see that when the seat is back. The seats also have a lever on them for getting into the back seat of the Monte. When you flip that, the seat moves forward so I will be able to store stuff under the seat as well.

Next was to tack it together to make sure it fits

One of my kids was around for the weekend so if you want to be at my place eating and drinking you might as well be doing something for me as well so got him to do some welding before he left again. He did one riser and I had to do the other one.


Then the grinding begins to make it all look nice.

Next step is to mount them in the truck. Looks like I will need to notch them around some ribs but they will fit. Also need to cut and drill holes to mount the seats to the risers. Once I am sure they will fit I will spray them with a 2 part epoxy primer. Down the road they will be painted but will do that with the rest of the truck.
Now that you have read the whole thing if I am doing something wrong or right please say so. I also have all the steel I need to build my own box but wanted to start with this as it will give me some practice working with steel. Until now shop time has always been woodworking. Makes things a bit tricky as I need to clear an area do the welding. Have to cut outside as the floor is plastic and there is always lots of saw dust around as well.
Marten

 

Nice joinery, looks like the work a precision cabinet maker would do.
I wood say that was a mitred corner brindle joint.

 

nce work Merten... you're on your way !!!

 

So things have gone much slower then expected but had a chance over the last couple of weekends to work on the risers again. Go them all welded up and back in to see how they fit.

Was all excited until I put a straight edge across them. Found out that the truck floor has a hump in the middle of about 1/2".

So out them come, more cutting and welding. Cut out 1/2" from the middle and 1/2" to nothing taper on the front. More welding, more grinding

Then back in for another fitting.



Much better that time. So thinking it would not be strong enough to bolt it to the sheet metal floor I make up some 1/8" plates with holes for 5/16" bolts to go through and welding it together. Located the risers, drilled some holes and mounted the seats.





Looking much better now and felt good when I sat in them. I will take them out once more to epoxy prime the steel so it will not rust but will do that when I prime up the rest of the steel I got for building a new box.
Hope I have done this right, please let me know if I should be changing something or if I am on the right path. This is all new to me so it is a lot of guess work.

 

I'm not sure there is a "right" or wrong way to do something like this. Just a good way or bad way. This looks like a good way to handle it.

Well done.