Fold flat seats?

[CG]

I know this is a silly question because this part of the board gets so few views and little input so I'm sure I would have seen something already.

Has anyone adapted a bench style seat out of a later model burb or station wagon that has a fold flat option and stuck it in their burb or panel. In a burb I mean the seat folds forward and is absolutely flat so that the floor would be level flat from the back of the front seat to the rear of the burb. One nice large flat cargo area.

I realize in a panel this would be a much bigger deal to pull off. But personally I think it would be really cool.

[lowrollin70gmc]

I have a set of 73-91 suburban rear seats in my 68 and they fold flat, I regularly haul sheets of plywood in the back and there’s no problem sliding them in. The only pain is the seat release is behind the seat so I have to crawl over the seat to get to the drivers side (because of no 4th door).

I can grab pics later if it helps.

Edit: I just noticed you’re working on a panel truck, so this wouldn’t work. My bad.

[CG]

You know I had heard there were some burb seats that would do this. My thought was though I doubt they fold seriously totally really really flat lol

I also have a 72 burb. So if you would post pictures I would be super happy ... thanks!

[notsolo]

87 Blazer had the same fold flat seat. 1991-1996 Caprice and Road Master wagons 3rd back facing seat folds into the floor, if that's what you are thinking. I can measure either 1 if you need it, Blazer seat is about 12-15" tall folded.

[HO455]

I'm headed that way with my Burban. I found this thread which shows some information not nearly enough.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=213960

[CG]

Didn't know those wagons folded flat. Just looking for any option to have a totally flat rear cargo area if the back seat is folded down. We have had a few SUVs over the years that yes the seat folded down, but wasn't completely flat. They always raised up a bit, kind of rampish.

[notsolo]

Not having a pick up at the time we were building on the house. I worked my wagon, full sheets 4 x 8.. 3/4 ....behind the driver seat lays flat all the way out the tailgate.

[truckster]

I owned several of the full-size GM wagons. The seats do indeed fold flat, but the vehicle is engineered for that. There are deep wells in the floor pan for foot room.

I'm not saying it's impossible in a panel, but it would take a lot of fabrication to make it happen. The best way to start would probably be to have a donor vehicle to take the full floor pan.

[HO455]

I didn't realize that the floor of a panel is all one level. The question is is that back the same height as front of a Suburban. Or is the front the same height as the back of a Suburban? Does that even make sense?

[CG]

Rear is same height. So that wood chunk on a burb is same as a panel, panel just goes all the way to back of front seat. And it's not a single chunk of plywood, slats but wider than a pickup slats

[CG]

Still hoping for some pics of fold flats installed in a burb

[lowrollin70gmc]

Sorry for the delay, I kept forgetting to take the pictures every time I drove my burb.

So, here they are. The hinge for the backs are bolted to the factory floor riser (just in front of the wood). The bottoms are bolted through the floor (I didn’t originally put these in, but there are 4 holes for each foot, and I just used nuts on the bottom side.

The backs are held in by a latch screwed onto the side panels, the chrome handle is barely visible in the last picture. This is where having a 3 door can be annoying, as I have to climb over the seats to release the drivers side seat. The passenger side is easily flipped while standing outside the rig.

[CG]

Oh, now I see, thanks! The seat bottom folds up, the seat back folds down flat. My wifes Trail Blazer worked like that if I remember correctly. But the seat didn't end up totally flat, it was a small ramp.

One more request if you don't mine. with the seat folded flat like that what's the longest thing you can put in there and still close the doors or gate? Depending on which you have.

I have this fun little race car and it just fits in the back of my K20's bed, if it was any longer it wouldn't fit. I don't have my panel or my burb at this house so I cant do any measuring. Would be cool if I could load it up in the back of the burb.

[lowrollin70gmc]

It is 8’5” from the barn doors to the seat back (along the floor)
The rear doors are sloped, so that reduces to 8’ 2” when measured 12” above the floor.

I have hauled quite a few stacks of 4x8 plywood / OSB in the back of my burb with this setup, it’s nice to have a truly flat floor.

[HO455]

Thanks for posting the photos. I am planning on doing the same to my Burban. I am finding it hard to locate a set of the 70's seats like yours. I believe the newer versions will work, but visually they have a more refined look and more plastic pieces which really doesn't work for me.

[CG]

This turned in to a great thread for a lot of us, thanks for help and pictures.

[Average Joe]

I have a '86 2nd row seat in my '67. Its basically the same seat as lowrollinGMC has in his 'Burb, just a lil newer and not hard sided on the back. My install appears very similar as well. I personally love this seat as it allows me to haul 4'x8' panels very easily. My original seat was long gone when I purchased my 'Burb. Therefor it was a no brainer installing this seat as I already owned the '86 donor burb and it was destined for scrap after I cannabalized it.

Here are some pics I am posting as requested by another board member. BTW the front seats are from a 2004 Silverado.

[Average Joe]

Some more pics

[FLYNAVY30]

I realize I'm bringing this one back from the dead a bit....but for those with the fold flat second row, how far back can you move the front seats with the second row folded flat? My concern is that at 6'6, I have my factory front bench as far back as it can go and I would need to move the front seat forward to an uncomfortable position in order to be able to drive around with the second row flat.

[HO455]

I'm only 6'2" but I drive with the seat all the way back normally. The rear seat will just fit behind the (69-70 style) bench seat when folded flat without moving the seat forward.
From the bottom of the dash (under the glove box door) to the bottom of the seat back on my truck is 32 inches with the seat all the way back.
My attempt to put a set of 2013 GMC Buddy Buckets in failed as I couldn't move the seat forward enough to drive it and have the the rears folded down.

[FLYNAVY30]

Ok, thanks for the info. In a perfect world, Id like to find the square body flip forward 2nd row bench like you're running (with the metal back), and replace my front bench with two buckets out of a 1990-95 Toyota 4runner. I'd have all if it reupholstered to look like the factory '72 blue highlander plaid package.

[HO455]

If you need any measurements let me know.

[FLYNAVY30]

Originally Posted by HO455

If you need any measurements let me know.

will do, much appreciated!