Factory Seats; Why do they suck?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

CheemsK1500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Posts
832
Reaction score
1,471
Location
Texas
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
305
The closest to perfect bucket seats I have sat in is the OEM GMT-800 front seats. The factory Jeep CJ7 and YJ seats are surprisingly comfortable too, its just too bad they're bolted in a vehicle that beats the crap out of you.

As for square seats, The bucket seats in higher trim Suburbans and Blazers are decent, and the bench seats are tolerable. The early GMT-400 bench seat is a good candidate for replacement if you absolutely hate the factory square bench seat.
 

peats

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2016
Posts
308
Reaction score
268
Location
Pennsylvania
First Name
john
Truck Year
72k5, 81c10 short step, 83k10 short fleet, 03 SSR. 25 chevy doodlebug
Truck Model
k5 c10 k10 SSR doodlebug
Engine Size
406 360 6.2 5.3 171
I have Lexus 330 seats in my k5 and 350 seats in my c10. Takes some fabrication and because they are thick, probably not good for someone over 6' but super comfortable and adjustable. Come out of a 3 hour ride totally refreshed.
 

89GMCJimmy

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2019
Posts
101
Reaction score
61
Location
90245
First Name
ivan
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Personal preference
European seats in general
are smaller tighter fit. American trucks Tahoes are larger I happen to Love my tahoe 04 and 12 seats drive from CA to Utah Colorado etc back feels great no issues. The angles for me are perfect the way I set up. My Toyota tundra seats at work give me low back tightness in an hour. I do like BMW seats smaller and firmer than my Tahoe seats. I’m 5’10” 185
I have been told that Americans seats in general are made for larger people, but I do think as far as comfort, etc. a lot of it is seat positioning in my experience
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,229
Reaction score
8,121
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I found a solution. LMC
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20230802_185855005_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20230802_185855005_HDR.jpg
    138.4 KB · Views: 76
  • IMG_20230802_185938513_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20230802_185938513_HDR.jpg
    130.9 KB · Views: 69
  • IMG_20230802_190001258.jpg
    IMG_20230802_190001258.jpg
    131.8 KB · Views: 69

Buicknut

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 17, 2023
Posts
94
Reaction score
179
Location
Cincinnati Ohio
First Name
Joe
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
V1500
Engine Size
350
I found a solution. LMC
I was hoping someone made something better and cheaper.

Personal preference
European seats in general
are smaller tighter fit. American trucks Tahoes are larger I happen to Love my tahoe 04 and 12 seats drive from CA to Utah Colorado etc back feels great no issues. The angles for me are perfect the way I set up. My Toyota tundra seats at work give me low back tightness in an hour. I do like BMW seats smaller and firmer than my Tahoe seats. I’m 5’10” 185
I have been told that Americans seats in general are made for larger people, but I do think as far as comfort, etc. a lot of it is seat positioning in my experience
I am 6'4" 270 with back problems from an accident but I loved my BMWs x3 seats so much.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,593
Reaction score
9,100
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Not all of the K5s had crappy front seats. Some of the early ones weren't that bad from what I could tell.
Is there a better factory seat you can use without going with LMCs?
I used an upside down 5 gallon bucket once. That didn't end well.
 

Lowered87

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
103
Reaction score
99
Location
Oxbow, Saskatchewan
First Name
Adam
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10
Engine Size
350
Well they "suck" because they're 40-50 years old. I bet they were mighty fine when new.
I think they were the last bench seat that were mushy right from brand new. Seat design started to evolve in trucks in the early 90s. Really personal preference.
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,229
Reaction score
8,121
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Those seats are super nice looking. Are they leather? Were they expensive? They use the same bolt pattern?

If I bought those seats my truck would triple in value.
Vinyl. $850/pair. If you buy thier bracket...I made my own to incorporate the Silverado console.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20230731_185425505.jpg
    IMG_20230731_185425505.jpg
    144.7 KB · Views: 66

Forum statistics

Threads
44,396
Posts
956,491
Members
36,695
Latest member
Hgwilly
Top