Ditching the humps under the seat?

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Hi guys!  FNG from Michigain here.  Got an 84 Stepside I'm currently working on...

Picked up a set of seats from an 06 trailblazer.  25k miles of seat time in a nonsmoking/owner with OCD environment.  Got the fronts and backs for $50 complete.

Good:  seatbelts are 100% integrated.  no more 28 year old seat belt issues.
Bad: mounting brackets are useless.

The brackets are almost 100% opposite of what I need.  they are super high on the door sides, and low on the insides.  I've muddle around with disassembly, even put some flame wrench time in on the old bracketry, and it's just not working.  Took apart the old bench seat and bolted just the frames and tracks back in, still nothing that's going to work well.

So I got to poking around and noticed there's really nothing below the humps in the cab.  What stops me from forming up some new sheet metal, cutting out the floor humps and flattening the area out.  Probably should mention I work in the engineering dept of a steel fabrication shop, so I hacve a CNC plasma table, press brakes, etc at my limited disposal.

Can anyone point me to a thread or example where someone else has done this?

Thanks in advance!

[zieg85]

Welcome from NW Indiana.  Is your gas tank(s) relocated???  If they are I say go for it, it would be a nice upgrade.

[TimberwolfFXDL]

If it is, I didn't do it.  I did a half ass look under there last night (didn't have my grubbies on so I didn't want to crawl under) and didn't see the tank in the way.  I didn't take the time to look around.

I'm planning a 5.3 swap in the future, so I may do a blazer efi tank or a fuel cell under the bed anyway.  I can't see where there would be issues, other than making sure there's sufficient strength for retaining the seat (especially with the integrated belts).

I'd love to see pictures if someone else has done this in the past...

[zieg85]

The tank or tanks both tuck under that area under the seats.

[bake74]

The tank or tanks both tuck under that area under the seats.

     Zieg is right, but you could always do a blazer tank swap.  Capt. koas has a great thread in the member ride section on one of his trucks with details and great pics on how to install a blazer tank in one of these trucks.

[Blazin]

keep in mind that those humps are a big part of the cabs structure. If they are removed you will need to fabricate something with plenty of support, along with a floor that will support the weight of the seats, and passengers without fatigue cracking etc.

[Sartobuilt]

Maby you could use a floor out of a blazer or a 67-72 truck.