I have been driving a 2000 Econoline for 200,000 miles, but have just purchased a used 2012 Econoline with front seats that are falling apart.

I know Ford changed the seats between 2008 and 2009. The shape is a little different, and the foam pad is thinner in the newer ones.

My question is should I keep the 2000 seats and move them into the 2012 van. Or should I buy new seat covers and foam to redo the 2012 seats?

Has anyone driven lots of Econolines and have a good comparison of the 2008 and earlier seats and the 2009 and later seats. Are the 2009 and later seats just as comfortable as the 2008 and earlier seats? The seats in my new 2012 van were abused, so they are not a good comparison.

If the 2012 seats are just as comfortable as the 2000 seats, then I will gladly recover the 2012 seats. If you know that the 2012 seats are not as comfortable, then I will swap the seats with my old van, since those seats are like new 18 years later.

 

I recently bought a middle bench from a 2010 to put in my 96. I had to move a bracket, which was no big deal. Yes, it appears to be a bit thinner, but I really don't see a whole lot of difference.

But then, I don't often ride back there.

 

I was in the same situation. "New" seats on a 2000 chateau and trashed seats on a 2010 E-350. I swapped the 4 Captain chairs to the 2010 van. I had to swap the front seat belt buckles, Power seat connector and the complete second row captain chair seatbelts. On the third row I am using a modified Tahoe fold down bench, but the van seats would have been interchangeable except the seat belt buckles. A year and a half later I am still very happy.

 

 

Since you've enjoyed the old seats so long and they seem to be wearing like iron, I think my advice would be to swap them over to the newer van. It's hard to argue with success.