Is it worth trying to save my original bench seat?

[danheit]

So my 55 2nd series came with the original bench seat in HORRIBLE condition. (I will get pics later). The frame itself is ok, but the entire thing is a big mess of rust. The PO left it outside in the weather for quite some time, and the original cotton batting and burlap didn't do much for the metal springs frame or bottom pan.

Good: It does still have the tracks and will bolt right to the floor
It is the original seat for the truck
I already own it

Bad: It is very rusty
Many springs are broken and the broken pieces are missing
Needs reupholstered, sandblasted, reworked, etc....read expensive
Bottom pan will need some work/repair too

I am not planning on making the truck original by any means. It is getting a matte black paint job, lowered, and keeping with the original motor and trans setup. Has the original front clip. LOTS of rust, and I am doing it on a budget, so maybe in 5 or so years it will be in good shape, but not anytime in the near future.

What do you guys think? Hang on to the seat and eventually have it reworked, or toss it in favor of a bench seat out of something else that will cost me far less, as well as get the giant seat out of my small garage and no longer have to trip over it. Right now it is loaded on my trailer along with a lot of other scrap metal, ready to take a trip to the scrap yard on Monday, so please help sway me quickly! I am completely on the fence on this one.

[mknittle]

If it were mine I would just replace it. the problem with replacing springs is it is next to impossible to find springs with the same tension. if you want a original seat you should be able to find a better one to reupholster.The guys and gals here are taking them out all the time
Once again if it were me I would use this excuse to find a more comfortable seat!
do a search there are tont of pics of interiors here

[Daze57]

^ I agree

[meter swinger]

Put on a dust mask and rip that sucker down to the frame, keep the frame and trash the rest. When you go to fab new seat mounts it might come in handy. Then you can 86 it once your new seat is in.
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[danheit]

Yeah, I am kindof leaning that way. I have however decided to hang on to the seat brackets. They seem to be going for some $$ on ebay.

[72Mountaineer]

If you junk the bottom springs, let me know if you will. I need a bottom railing piece for mine that is rusted out. Thanks.

[danheit]

will do.

[mr48chev]

I'd think seriously about finding another stock seat or at least the cushions/springs in better condition. At the rate guys pull them out and replace them with buckets or later model benches there should be some around. The most comfortable seat that was ever in my truck was the stock seat that Bobby Russel in Waco Tx redid for me in 1973. He did a real roll and pleat job that would cost three arms and two legs today.