Speaking of truck seats

[racerop]

On my 71 k-20 bench seat, i have thought
about getting a more comfortable seat from a
newer model but my only problem with the seat
is the back which makes my lower back sink
into the seat.

My question is there a way to repair what is
going on and bring back the seat to it’s or form?

[maverickmk]

Anything can be done. Just depends on how much you want to spend to get what you're looking for. I checked into having the factory bench redone and it was a lot more than I wanted to spend. My truck is a turd, so obviously I will be searching the junk yards for some Tahoe seats when I get it closer to road worthy.

[Andy4639]

The old seats can be redone but as sated they cost around $500.00 to do them right. Which isn't bad when you consider a Snowden seat starts @ $1200.00 and up!

I like the 90's model seats and the 99 Tahoe seats also. I had 90's 60/40 in my 71 for about 10 years til I swapped to the 99 Tahoe heated seats in my 71 but have the 90's bench seat in the ramp truck and have one for the 68.
Like stated it just depends on how much you want to spend.

[sick472]

If your handy with hog ring pliers and have a bit of patience...new foam (and maybe upholstery) can make an old seat much more comfortable. Our bench seats are the easiest seats to recover (read "least difficult" because pulling upholstery and attaching a few hundred rings can be taxing). You can even add thin layers of foam in the areas that you would like more support. I have done this with bucket seats to firm up the bottom and thigh area by cutting high quality carpet foam (not the stuff made out of recycled bits but the virgin made foam) and placing it where I want it, throwing the covers over the seat, having a sit-down to see if I like it, adjusting the layers and positions as necessary, and once it feels good...use a higher quality spay adhesive to attach it to the main foam and then recover permanently. I have added up to 2 layers of 1/2" padding in areas and still had plenty of upholstery pull to get it all hog ringed properly. What you are actually doing is firming up the foam in that area, so it makes it more stiff, but it also keeps it from sinking in so much hence the extra suporrt.

Tip...don't glue anything down until you know you can stretch the covers properly or you run the risk of tearing the cover or having to rip the foam back apart and it rips and tears a the glue is much stronger than the foam...don't ask how I know.

[cebra]

I did mine for about $250, $150 new cover, $30 new springs/hardware, $10 hog rings, $60 layers of foam back/bottom. My foam was very thin but in tact, I just added layers (in hindsight too many but it is settling in. A good tip is to take scrap carpet and put the non-carpet side toward the bottom then put foam on top of this, it keeps the foam from going between the springs which is what generally happens after many years of use. This way you get all the foam padding back.

[maverickmk]

This is what I'm dealing with now, but really want to find a 60/40 like Andy has.

[cebra]

Yeah, probably be cheaper for you to find a different seat, the full foam replacements are stupid expensive when they get that worn.

[EagleChief]

I've been sort of looking for a new seat for my truck. I want to stay with a bench seat, but I'm not sure what I really need when looking. These 40/60 seats you guys are pulling out of the 90's trucks... are those front seats? I see a lot of rear bench seats for sale, but not sure how those will work. If I remember right, rear seats were not the most comfortable things to sit in when I was growing up.

I see a lot of 2nd and 3rd row Tahoe seats for sale. I'm guessing the 2nd row would be better than the 3rd row?

[71gmcC15]

In the crew cab pickups the rear seat is the exact same as the frount bench seat. They changed in 95 but still the same rule. Here is my rear seat out of a 95 crew cab. Its has the added bonus of an arm rest.

[Richard2112]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

In the crew cab pickups the rear seat is the exact same as the frount bench seat. They changed in 95 but still the same rule. Here is my rear seat out of a 95 crew cab. Its has the added bonus of an arm rest.

Wow. That's a feature I would consider. A bench with a fold down arm rest. Nice. Now you got me thinking. Rear seat from a 95 crew cab. Interesting. Thank you for that.

[kaycee]

Dont forget you wont have front to rear adjustment when using rear seat,You will have to fab brackets to mount the newer seats.Not to discourage you but a heads up on what you will encounter.Not that hard to fab up

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by kaycee

Dont forget you wont have front to rear adjustment when using rear seat,You will have to fab brackets to mount the newer seats.Not to discourage you but a heads up on what you will encounter.Not that hard to fab up

Mine has sliders on it From factory. No modifications made to them. The brackets are the same as the frount seat.in 88 -98 crew cabs any way.

[Richard2112]

Even more interesting information. I'd be ok fabricating some brackets if I had to. It would be great if that rear seat also folded forward. That might be a bit much to ask for but I might be able to make it do that too if necessary.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

Mine has sliders on it From factory. No modifications made to them. The brackets are the same as the frount seat.in 88 -98 crew cabs any way.

Did you remove the seat from the crewcab yourself?

I have had two factory crewcab shortbox’s. a 1999 and 2000 and in both trucks the rear seat was Not adjustable. I still have one in my basement as I did a rear seat swap.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

In the crew cab pickups the rear seat is the exact same as the frount bench seat. They changed in 95 but still the same rule. Here is my rear seat out of a 95 crew cab. Its has the added bonus of an arm rest.

Good to know! That helps me out a lot - on what to look for. Found a red seat from a 90's truck that has a fold down armrest. It's a red one, which I'd have to get recovered, but he only wants $150 for it. Think that's worth it?

[maverickmk]

Originally Posted by EagleChief

Good to know! That helps me out a lot - on what to look for. Found a red seat from a 90's truck that has a fold down armrest. It's a red one, which I'd have to get recovered, but he only wants $150 for it. Think that's worth it?

I think it's worth it, but, I've been looking for that exact seat for several months now and haven't found anything.

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

Did you remove the seat from the crewcab yourself?

I have had two factory crewcab shortbox’s. a 1999 and 2000 and in both trucks the rear seat was Not adjustable. I still have one in my basement as I did a rear seat swap.

Yes I removed it my self. Took like 2 hours. The bolts where rilly in there. And it does fold forward.

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Even more interesting information. I'd be ok fabricating some brackets if I had to. It would be great if that rear seat also folded forward. That might be a bit much to ask for but I might be able to make it do that too if necessary.

It does fold forward.

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by EagleChief

Good to know! That helps me out a lot - on what to look for. Found a red seat from a 90's truck that has a fold down armrest. It's a red one, which I'd have to get recovered, but he only wants $150 for it. Think that's worth it?

It's hard to find one in good shape. So if it's in good shape I would jump on it. I got mine for free. I also sold one for $100 with a small hole. The thing is with 88-94 seats they can't be recovered. The fabric is glued to the foam. Not saying its impossible to do it but will cost a lot.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

Mine has sliders on it From factory. No modifications made to them. The brackets are the same as the frount seat.in 88 -98 crew cabs any way.

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

Yes I removed it my self. Took like 2 hours. The bolts where rilly in there. And it does fold forward.

Mine folded forward but they didn’t slide forward. The base was fixed in one position.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

It's hard to find one in good shape. So if it's in good shape I would jump on it. I got mine for free. I also sold one for $100 with a small hole. The thing is with 88-94 seats they can't be recovered. The fabric is glued to the foam. Not saying its impossible to do it but will cost a lot.

Well, I missed out on the seat. It sold before I could get to it. I was a little hesitant anyway, after you mentioned the recovering issues on those. For my budget, if I'm going to recover, I'll just reuse what I have. If I buy one, it needs to be in a condition & color that I can just install it and not have to worry about recovering it.

That being said, I did find a couple of nice (rear) seats out of a 2014. Has anyone used one of those before?

[maverickmk]

Here's an idea for someone that drives a lot

[Bones72Super]

The Z54 "Baked Potato Full Foam Seat" option lol

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by EagleChief

I did find a couple of nice (rear) seats out of a 2014. Has anyone used one of those before?

There are other seat threads for you to search. Yes, I've seen it done before. One advantage on the 14 and up seats is they are not as thick, which would accommodate for a beer belly, if one had such a thing.. Dunlop disease... Yer belly's so big it done lopped over yer belt...