Bench to Buckets using early squarebody high backs

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

I had posted this swap over in my trucks main build thread, but I know there was another thread asking about using the early high back buckets to make low backs. So here is my thread on swapping to buckets.

Starting with my original bench seat I recovered when I restored the truck. Then bench was great, but I always loved the look of the sport buckets and center console, so I started acquiring the pieces to put them in my truck. I scored a pair of early high backs at a local swap meet cheap out of a blazer. I picked up a couple consoles to make 1 good one.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

I went and tore the seats down to the bare frame and cut the upper bar off. The passenger side frame a was a little tweaked from years of people pulling on the one side to pull it forward. So straightened that and then had the frames blasted.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

I picked up foam right away and stored it, but I had to wait 6ish months for the seat covers so while waiting for the covers, I worked on stripping and restoring the console from the two I picked up. Found a good plastic stripper that didnt hurt the grain on the console and then painted it white before the bright blue to get the blue a little brighter to match the truck.

[OregonNed]

Great job on all of this!

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

I didnt want to spend the money to buy factory bucket seat tracks for a 69-72 after seeing how crazy the prices are, my grandfather and I put on our thinking caps and came up with a solution. I got a deal on a set of 66/67 Chevelle bucket seat tracks so taking those tracks, used some scrap wood to figure out how tall of risers I needed front and rear to feel comfortable. Then took those blocks and got some steel tubing to match the blocks. Then for the floor mounting, took strap steel and measuring the seat track holes drilled and counter sunk holes, put some countersink 6 point heads in and welded them to the strap, then using the bench seat mounts on the outside of both side came across the floor and drilled a couple holes and using the same size bolt as the bench did to go through the floor. Made a some plate washers to brace and bolted it down to the floor and then covered the straps with the carpet. cut the welded c'sins threads in the carpet and the seats now bolt down on the exposed studs, so If I ever had to remove the tank I dont have to crawl under the truck to get those nuts and plates off on the inside. Make it easier for one guy.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

At this point tossed the new tank cover carpet in and drilled the holes for the console and mounted it, did a final check of the seat height with the foam on and made sure it was comfortable and felt right.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Had the seat covers by now and now that we were happy with the mounting and seat height it was time to cover the frames. Again trying to save a buck, my grandfather and I tackled putting the covers on the foam and then on the frame. I hope I dont have to do this job again for awhile, this was a frustrating task. The foam is 71/72 style foam. It fit with no issues onto the frame and then the covers are 71/72 style as well and fit really good as well. I was honestly expecting more issues with mixing squarebody frames with the earlier covers and foam.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Once we got the covers pulled onto the frames and hog ringed it was simply time to bolt them into the truck. I am really happy with how it turned out, the buckets are comfortable and while not correct for a 68 they look right at home. Plus it was just another thing to match my 68 Camaro, now both 68's have bucket seats and consoles. Luckily my 4 speed handle also fit perfectly around the console still. Only hiccup is when in 2nd or 4th gear you cant open the lid so no real access to it driving down the road. Which you rarely do anyway.

[dagnabbitt]

Wow great work!

So... you just cut that top bar off of the seat frame, and that was it? Suddenly my 79 Blazer captains chairs that I can't give away are taking on a whole new value to me.

[58 Special]

The seats I have for my pick-up came out of a early square body blazer. They are not highback but the top of seat back is square not rounded like the factory 69-70 ones i installed in my 71 suburban. what alterations would I have to do to make 71-72 covers fit them?

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Originally Posted by 58 Special

The seats I have for my pick-up came out of a early square body blazer. They are not highback but the top of seat back is square not rounded like the factory 69-70 ones i installed in my 71 suburban. what alterations would I have to do to make 71-72 covers fit them?

you just need the correct foam, the top of the seat frame is down an inch or two from the top of the foam. Outside of cutting the high back hoop off I didn't mess with the frames at the top. I did have to drill holes for hog rings on the back. as the high back seats had full slip covers on the backside. They didn't have the plastic cover like the low back buckets had in a blazer.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

Wow great work!

So... you just cut that top bar off of the seat frame, and that was it? Suddenly my 79 Blazer captains chairs that I can't give away are taking on a whole new value to me.

Pretty much, I did have to drill holes on the back side rails for the hog rings as my covers are like a 71/72 so they pull around and hog ring, they dont slip over and cover the back like the high backs.

[58 Special]

thanks much

[TKCR]

Wow! Awesome job on everything and it looks beautiful

[58 Special]

Thanks much.

[Chevys4life]

Awesome job on the bucket seat install. You have a beautiful truck already and adding the buckets and console take it to another level. I'm going to try and find me a set of those seats now myself.

[Steeveedee]

Nice job!

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Originally Posted by Chevys4life

Awesome job on the bucket seat install. You have a beautiful truck already and adding the buckets and console take it to another level. I'm going to try and find me a set of those seats now myself.

The early high backs are still pretty easy to find. I still see sets pop up on facebook marketplace all the time at decent prices.

[Chevys4life]

Originally Posted by CAMAROBOY68SS

The early high backs are still pretty easy to find. I still see sets pop up on facebook marketplace all the time at decent prices.

Thanks for the info!!!

[custom10nut]

Absolutely beautiful

[70STOVEBOLT]

What brand and color of paint did you use on the console? It looks like it matches the OE color perfectly.

[C130Nav]

I'm VERY interested in buying the houndstooth bench seat covers from you if you're interested in selling them. Dont need the whole seat, since shipping would be brutal $$-wise.

Mike

[Garn3]

how do i save this thread!!!!!!!
Thank you

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Garn3

how do i save this thread!!!!!!!
Thank you

You already have when you commented. The if you go to the User CP, it will be under your subscribed threads.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Originally Posted by C130Nav

I'm VERY interested in buying the houndstooth bench seat covers from you if you're interested in selling them. Dont need the whole seat, since shipping would be brutal $$-wise.

Mike

I have already sold the whole bench seat and it went down the road about 2 weeks ago.