DIY Bucket Seats

[sphinx]

After reading Outlaw70nova's post on making bucket seats out of two bench seats (see his post here http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=24130.30), I decided to give it a try.

I have two bench seats, one from a 76 and one from a 78.  The 76 is original but it has been recovered.  The 78 was some type of replacement form a different year as the seat frame does not mount in the same locations to the tracks (someone has put bolts in holes in the center of the tracks for the front mount instead of the mounting flanges as there are no holes for the flanges to bolt to.  Also, the tracks are not the same as those on the 76, the 76 has the adjusting lever on the left of the drivers side and the 78 has the adjusting lever in the front on the drivers side.  Pics to come.

[bake74]

     I assume you are making bucket seats out of the bench seats, hence your title, or are you going to make 2 sets ?

[sphinx]

Sorry, I was not clear.  I'm cutting down two bench seats to make two short 'bucket' seats.

I started with the benches mentioned before, removed the upholstery and took some measurements.

Both bench seats were the same basic design and dimensions of 57.5" wide, just one had been modified to get the sliding rails to fit the mounting holes in the 78 truck. This caused the 78 seat to sit a little higher on the rails than the 76.

The first 2 pics show the adjusters and how they are mounted. The last 2 show the high difference to the track mounting back holes where the tracks are bolted to the bottom of the cab.

[sphinx]

After removing the upholstery and saving all the pieces for future reference I had a problem removing 2 screws on each side holing the back to the bottom frame.  These are 3/8 countersunk with a conical star lock washer under the head that is forced into the countersink as the screws are tightened.  The 4 in the 76 seat came out with some effort.  The 4 in the 78 required a drill and easy-out.  It looks like from the conditions of the frames and springs the 78 seat had a hard life.

I took my saws-all with a metal cutting blade and cut 11" back from the left and right edges of the bottoms giving me a un-finished 22 wide seat size.  This may seem a bit wide for a 'bucket' seat, but since I'm only trying to add a center console for an arm rest and cup holders, 12" or so for the console should be fine.  Also, I'm not sure about the re-upholstery either, it may be another DIY and it will easier for to replicate the original seat covers if all I have to do is shorten them up a bit.

Next I mocked up the seat by using some wood blocks with bolts and wing nuts to hold the two halves together.  I put 1/2 pvc pipe inside the tube frame to hold back together. This is where I stopped for several months.

Pics attached

First 2 are the height differences in mounting rails at the seat front.

Next is the completed mock up of the passenger seat.

[bake74]

     That completed seat look pretty good as for as how wide it is.  Looks like it should be comfortable. 
     Are you using the shorter or taller rails to mount these ?

[sphinx]

I'll have to put 1" bushings on the driver's side rails to seat mount points to even it up with the passenger side.  This is the first time I have welded anything.  So it is a learning experience.  I cut off some test pieces of the formed box frame for the bottom and the tube frame of the back for practice.  I needed lots of practice.    These are not going to be the best seat frames as I starting out with heavily used parts.  But that will okay as this is not a show piece.

I had to repair some of the spring mounts that had broke off and one of the mounting holes had a crack in the seat frame.

Welding is not too bad.  Grinding down/out a poor weld is a pain.  I've spent more time with the wire wheel and grinders in my hand than the welding torch.

[enaberif]

Quick question on this.. You used the sliders from the bench seats on the seats correct?

[sphinx]

Yes, one pair for each seat.  Sorry for the late reply

[outlaw70nova]

Looking good Sphinx!

[sphinx]

Thanks outlaw70nova.  It will be awhile before I get to the upholstery.  This has been a learning project.