Has anybody ever used the air ride seat bases from National Seating/Industrial Seats/Suburban Seats in their trucks?
Pickup & Medium Duty

Did you use aftermarket seats, or the factory seat? I know the websites say "not for use with factory seats" but I am pretty sure this is due to 2 things.

1. The factory seats were never crash tested with the air ride bases
2. The factory seats dont have provisions for air ride controls.

I was also told by one of the sales reps that the factory seats are "too tall". I have a hard time believe that the factory seat is that much taller than any bucket seat that they would sell to work with their air ride base. I am just looking for any input on if the air ride base will physically work with a factory seat. Thanks.

 

Never seen that before but it looks pretty cool. Would be a nice addition. Before I read your entire post, I was thinking that the seats might be too tall also if you inflated to the max. Maybe the seats they're intended to work with have a lower back height than the factory seats. I'd also like to know... subscribing.

 

I am waiting for a spec sheet from National Seating to be sent to me. The rep told me that it included dimensions of the seat they recommend to use with the air base. That should tell the story... I will post up whatever info I find. I think the air ride seat base is only $225, which isnt bad, although they say its not returnable.... I may end up just buying one and hoping it works. Their headquarters is not too far from me, maybe I will call to see if I can look at one in person.

 

Sounds good. Make sure to post whatever you find. Like I said, I'd never seen that before but it looks like a great idea.

 

It would cool to get air ride working with Lariat power seats. Not likely, but it would be cool.

I'd be happy with even a bit of a softer ride in my seats. I would also like to get more height out the drivers seat. With the power seats adjusted all the way up I would like a couple more inches of height. I've tried several cushions but none cut it for me. I've settled on (Canadian Tire) Auto Trends gel seat cushions. I picked 6 of them for $5.00 each on sale a few months ago. I figure I'll get a year or so out each one.

 

Looks like factory seats are ok to use, this is cut & paste from the linked page:
Unless I missed something obvious.....
But it does say "National seat".

* Low profile suspension with 3 in. stroke
* Includes seat belt bracket, all hardware and instructions for installation
* 5 year/million mile warranty
* Suspension bolts to factory mounting pattern

Applications: 1999 & Up F250 Super Duty thru Medium Duty Truck

Notes:

* For trucks fitted with bucket seats or 40/20/40 seats from factory, re-attach seatbelt to National seat with supplied seat belt bracket. Attach tethers per instructions.
* For trucks fitted with bench seats from factory, the seat belt buckles are supported with steel cables. OK to re-use.

 

You are right, that specific page doesnt say anything about not using the factory seat.. This link does

Medium Duty Truck Seat, Medium Duty Truck, Freightliner, Truck Seats, Air Suspension Kit,

The rep from the 1st link is the one who told me that factory seats shouldnt be used.

 

Great idea, BUT: Where do you get the air?

 

Well, I have a compressor for an ARB locker, as well as a compressor for rear air bags so my air source is readily available. One of the downfalls of using the factory seat is that there are no provisions for air controls for the seat base, however I have come up with a way to make it work using some control valves from the air bag system on my rear suspension.

 

Just use a single switch. On my fire engine we have a single switch that inflates and deflates. The air is dumped out the back of the switch. Should work the same for your rear airbags if you have them. Just make sure the pressure that is fed to the switch is not greater than the maximum pressure allowed by the airbag.

 

Well I got an email with the seating dimensions from National Seating the other day. The seat they recommend to use is within 1" of the same height as the SD captain chair, it is also within 1.5" wide, and virtually the same depth. Obviously the height is the main concern, and this seems like it will work with no issues.

The sliding rails of the Ford seat are a little bit wider than the mounting plate of the air ride base, but with a little modification it will work just fine. I am going to order this air ride seat base within the next few days and should have a report on its build quality, and how well it works with the factory seat once I get it.

 

Nice find! And it would be cheaper than replacing the horrible add-a-leaf lift kit that came in my truck.