Late Model Seats

[LuckyHenriksen]

For those of you who have put 2000 and up tahoe/truck seats in your trucks, which ones are the best to use? I found a third row seat out of a new Denali for sale, would this fit?

[RocketChevy56]

I've used 2002 (I think) Tahoe front buckets before and swapped them, but if the 3rd row seat is a benchI would think its going to be too short. If you want a bench seat, you could look for 60/40 split seats out of a single cab truck. Do you already have them or are you thinking of purchasing them?

[LuckyHenriksen]

I was just thinking about purchasing them. I would like to find some newer ones with the built in seatbelts. Your right, the 3rd row is probably too sort. Maybe the middle row?

[RocketChevy56]

A middle row could work, depends I suppose. Are you looking to put a bench in it?

[Dingfodgy]

'03 Silverado front seats are what I'm running. I chose them because they are 2 bucket seats with a console / jump seat between and they have the integrated shoulder belts. However, if you want to retain the bench look- try to find a Suburban / Tahoe second seat (not 3rd. row) they are full-width and have a handy drop down cup holder/writing pad thingy in the center. Oh and they're quite comfy. Be warned that if you are of sizeable girth (aka a fat-ass like myself)....the column collapse mod a la' "Putter" is pert near required, otherwise you'll have the steering wheel rubbin' the buddha belly.

[RocketChevy56]

I figured the middle row was full size but I don't have any experience with them. I have Infiniti seats in mine, but I needed buckets (floor shift). I bought the truck with tahoe seats in it and the guy had a column drop on it ( he was like 5'5 MAYBE ) I'm almost 6'3" and that wasn't working, so I opted out the seats b/c they sat too far forward for me. They didn't have the integrated seat belts though. When did they start doing that anyway?

[clos69]

Integrated seatbelts began 99+ on Gm trucks

[RocketChevy56]

oooh.... Tahoes different I guess? I was TOLD that the seats that were in my truck were 02 tahoe, they have the integrated buckle but no actual seatbelt built in. I guess it doesn't matter much, I don't have them anymore, I was just curious, not a bad bit of information to know for future reference

[LuckyHenriksen]

I really like the idea of keeping the bench style, and I know how comfy those 2nd row tahoe seats are. I will look around for one of those. What would you guys think is a good price to pay for one? And where are good places to look besides craigslist?

[clos69]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

I really like the idea of keeping the bench style, and I know how comfy those 2nd row tahoe seats are. I will look around for one of those. What would you guys think is a good price to pay for one? And where are good places to look besides craigslist?

We can tell you how much to expect to pay for a bench seat but ..it is going to cost you $25

[Ackattack]

the one thing about the 2nd row seats is they don't have a sliding mechanism on them. I'm sure you could rig something up using a stock slider assy, or maybe you don't need them to slide. Just something to keep in mind.

[LuckyHenriksen]

I don't use the slider on my stock seat anyways. Could I just mount it in the position that I wanted to keep it in? How do the newer seats mount to the floor? Would they use the stock mounting location or do you need to rig up some custom mounts.

[RocketChevy56]

Your probably going to have to make a bracket that "relocates" the holes back a little from the original one in the floor. That probably doesn't make any sense does it? I'll send a pic when I go see my truck (sent it away when Hurricane Ike hit) and try to give you an idea if you want. I would check ebay for the seats. There's a lot of people that salvage wrecked cars and you can find a lot of parts on there

[lowdownstar]

i know it wasn't my question that started this but thanks for the info guys! i needed the help as well....


Ray

[LuckyHenriksen]

Thanks. If you could post a couple pictures that would be awesome

[RocketChevy56]

If all else fails, I'll draw you some blueprints in crayon....... j/k

[ChevLoRay]

I paid $125 for a tan leather 2nd row Tahoe seat. It was from a '98.

No, it doesn't have a slide mechanism, but I don't adjust the seat on my truck, anyway.

It comes in two sections, and Putter (on the site) did an install link when he put one in his truck. If you do a search, you should be able to locate his thread.

As an aside, I still have to install mine but I'm gonna re-color it in the same OEM shade of red that matches all of the other interior stuff I have (door panel skins, carpet, dash pad, etc.).

[LuckyHenriksen]

That sounds like a sweet deal! Does it have the integrated seat belts?

And crayon drawings are excellent sources of information

[chevy29267truck]

i had a 68 chevy truck before and i had late 70s mid 80s chevy truck bench seat befor and it worked

[RocketChevy56]

When you say re-color, do you mean dye it? or have someone restitch in the color of leather you want? I would beware of dying an entire seat a diff. color. I've been told that it doesn't usually hold up very long, but its just heresay, I don't have any experience with it. I'm sure your local upholstery shop would know whats best

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by RocketChevy56

When you say re-color, do you mean dye it? or have someone restitch in the color of leather you want? I would beware of dying an entire seat a diff. color. I've been told that it doesn't usually hold up very long, but its just heresay, I don't have any experience with it. I'm sure your local upholstery shop would know whats best

I have a link to a company in L.A. that sells what I have to buy. When I called and talked to them, they said is isn't a dye. They will mix the colorant to your requested tint, and furnish instructions on how to do it. You start by cleaning the leather with acetone, to get rid of any and all waxes and protectants. When you are sure that it is ready, then the colorant is applied...brush, spray....I don't know. Maybe it is wiped-on.

Like you, I thought that I'd be re-dying them, but that is not what has to happen. I'll see if I can find that link and then add it to this reply.

[mr48chev]

I just put an 88 bench seat out of a standard cab 4x4 in my 71 GMC.
It really fits the cab and is super comfortable but does sit a bit high for the cab. I look out through the tinted section of the windshield going down the road now.

I had to drill new holes to mount it but the whole installation took less than 30 minutes.

The seat was free from a coworker who had removed it from his truck to install a Flexsteel seat a few years ago and had it stashed in the basement.
The going price for a similar seat at the local wrecking yard is 100 bucks but prices differ all over the country.

[RocketChevy56]

Ya, definitly post up some pics or some details on it. Thats pretty interesting to know. I have sent a couple seats off and just had them reupholstered with the colors and stitching I want. I had it done in leather, but the Vinyl aka pleather stuff was cheaper and a lot softer. The guy said it holds its colors better but I can't go around and when I get complimented on the seats tell them its fake It wasn't expensive (like $200 a bucket) and the guy did amazing work. But the old school Red your going for would prob cost more to do. I think your prob on the right track. Keep me posted on it

[RocketChevy56]

Well, went and took some pics of my seat brackets, but I can't post them because I keep getting an error message for uncompatibility and resolution. Not sure what to do about that .......crayon drawings it is!!!!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Haha are you using photobucket? I want to see these....