Best split bench option

[55_2_Drive]

I'm sure this must have been discussed but not seeing anything specific.

Looking for a decent split bench seat option for my 1976 K20. Curious what others have done and would love to see some pictures. I like the ones that look like buckets but the center folds up/down for center console or passenger.

Not worried about "bolt-in", I have the ability to modify the seat and/or fabricate any bracketry needed. Any info or direction is appreciated.

 

[Finkaire]

LMC lists it as 1960 thru 1994
Gotta be a lot of options, later P/U?

 

[55_2_Drive]

Maybe I was unclear - I am looking to see/hear from people who have "been there/done that" and can share their direct experience.

 

[hogdaddy]

I ordered these for my truck along with brackets that fit my truck and waiting on them. It takes a couple months to make them.

All Truck Bench Seats - Shop4Seats

Shop4Seats offers replacement truck seats for Chevy, Ford, and Dodge truck seats. Select from our many stles of truck bench seats and captain chairs that are custom made to your order.

shop4seats.com

 

[55_2_Drive]

Wow, those are very nice...and exactly what I was thinking of...but a little spicey on the price (for my budget anyway). If I could find something similar out of an existing truck in a salvage yard I could make that work.

 

[BadBowtie]

20 years ago we installed a 1994 Sierra Classic/Silverado bench seat into my 1983 C10 regular cab. It was easy & I gained a lot more cabin room! This bench seat also had the headrest and a fold out armrest in the middle- Loved it. Soon after, we installed the same style 1990-94 GM 60/40 seats in my father's 1982 C10 regular cab. It was a little more work and required MODS around the transmission tunnel, but we got it done. We used the original 1980's seat tracks on these newer seats too.

 

[55_2_Drive]

Thank you for sharing. Any chance you have pics of any of that? Would be great to see how it looks...

 

[BadBowtie]

I sold my truck 5 years ago. Sorry. It's really easy on a 1988-1994 solid bench seat.

Most of the holes even line up on the bottom of the newer seat frame, when adding the 1980-87 bench seat tracks. I think we only drilled ONE hole!!

You do have to cut/shorten the newer seat adjuster cable, but that's easy too. Just lay it out, cut it, bend the cut end, and install the new style retaining clip. It will make more sense when you measure & lay it all out.

I used two 1" nuts on the front bolts (between the old seat tracks & newer frame). These allowed a more comfortable tilt for the newer benchseat when sitting.

The old seat tracks bolted right back down into the original floor holes too!!

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

What about using the '95-98 split bench seat, from the later 400s? Those may be more available, just because the donor trucks are more common. These are a great seat, chair height and comfortable (I have one in my daily).

 

[BadBowtie]

I know nothing about those seats....

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I would think the floorboard is the same on all OBS/400 pickups as long as you stay with the same type (single cab to single cab,etc., I know the extended cab has a different floorboard). So it seems like if the early style seat works fairly easily, that the later style would too.
I can get some pics of the seat in my crew cab if necessary....

 

[hunter45732]

I’ve used a 40/20/40 seat out of a regular cab second GEN dodge 1500 4 cuts on the mounts and then drilled the holes it fit really nice.

 

[Scott91370]

I’ve used a 40/20/40 seat out of a regular cab second GEN dodge 1500 4 cuts on the mounts and then drilled the holes it fit really nice.

I used aa 40/20/40 from a 2004ish and made my own mounting frame. It fits and works but is bulky and I feel like I am right up on the steering wheel.
I'm, kind of, searching for a replacement that will give me more room.

 

[Arch94]

20 years ago we installed a 1994 Sierra Classic/Silverado bench seat into my 1983 C10 regular cab. It was easy & I gained a lot more cabin room! This bench seat also had the headrest and a fold out armrest in the middle- Loved it. Soon after, we installed the same style 1990-94 GM 60/40 seats in my father's 1982 C10 regular cab. It was a little more work and required MODS around the transmission tunnel, but we got it done. We used the original 1980's seat tracks on these newer seats too.

So to clarify the 88-94 bench or 40/60 splits will fit Ok in the squarebody? I've got an 86 K10 and am wanting to I increase cab space. I'm shortening the column and putting in a 14" wheel too. I'd love to know if you think you gained space by going with the newer seats.

 

[SquareRoot]

Why would anybody want a split bench? If you don't like a bench, put buckets in it and be done.