Original Bucket seats installation????

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Nice work Mike. Very clean.

I would add a cross support similar to stock.

I am concerned the center of the floor isn't designed for the load of the central seat mounts and would stretch out or crack over time if left unsupported.

You really think it's necessary or just extra insurance? That rib that runs across the front is pretty stiff just by design. I would like to fab one up, I have already thrown a bunch of time at this though. I will look at it tonight.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

You really think it's necessary or just extra insurance?

Hey Mike, judging by your pics, you are already well above and beyond the under side bracing found on most of the bucket converted truck cabs that I have seen. What about the question I had asked you in post #23? Mel

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by tkeduk8r

Great thread!!! Been looking for this info layed out like this for a long time. Im wondering if there would be a market for a kit that would supply the tabs, cross support, and paper template for the conversion???? I dont have the manufacturing capability to make the parts (press brakes are way to cheap) but if someone does maybe might be an opportunity.
--Mike

Hey Mike, member "Duncan & Son" already reproduce the brackets for underneath the cab. The only piece not reproduced is the big middle brace. Trevor

[chevytruckluver]

nice work Mike
I am going to keep this one for future refrence

[chipflyer]

I will add that the big middle brace can be found and removed from any early blazer, got mine from teeitup. Randy usually cuts them out when he parts out a blazer. If you get this piece you can use it as a template to drill the front holes in the correct location and then either use panel adhesive or weld it in. This piece really takes all the guess work out of where the holes should be.

Jeff
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[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by chipflyer

I will add that the big middle brace can be found and removed from any early blazer, got mine from teeitup. Randy usually cuts them out when he parts out a blazer. If you get this piece you can use it as a template to drill the front holes in the correct location and then either use panel adhesive or weld it in. This piece really takes all the guess work out of where the holes should be.

Jeff
Posted via Mobile Device

Funny story Jeff, down at the Wichita swap meet I tried telling roger that he didn't have all the brackets for a bucket seat swap and tried to tell him and ron about the big cross member Brace. They acted like I had no idea what I was talking about. Can't fool truck board members.
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[Zoomin]

Hey Mike,

On mine, I used the outside front holes and then marked the locations with a Sharpie so I would have the locations exactly right with these seats. In the process of drilling I noticed the dimples that others have seen.

Anyway, I went ahead and used the outside fronts as they would be more secure than what I rigged up, and the console just barely touches the seats at the front corners. Not snug at all. *shrug*

[litew8]

NICE work mcbassin!

[teeitup]

Trevor, Ron is coming up here Wed evening, I'll make climb under this BB truck of mine and see the front bracket, that way he can tell Roger

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Classic Bowties

Hey Mike, judging by your pics, you are already well above and beyond the under side bracing found on most of the bucket converted truck cabs that I have seen. What about the question I had asked you in post #23? Mel

Thanks for the confirmation Mel. I went ahead and coated the whole bottom of the floor with POR-15 tonight.

About that question, no there were no dimples for the seat, however there were dimples that lined up good on the consoles. They were almost like the center punch marks you see on the high hump covers.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Hey Mike, member "Duncan & Son" already reproduce the brackets for underneath the cab. The only piece not reproduced is the big middle brace. Trevor

Thanks Trevor I wasn't aware anyone reproduced them.

Originally Posted by chevytruckluver

nice work Mike
I am going to keep this one for future refrence

Thanks, I looked all over on here for this info, found pieces but not exactly what I was looking for.

Originally Posted by chipflyer

I will add that the big middle brace can be found and removed from any early blazer, got mine from teeitup. Randy usually cuts them out when he parts out a blazer. If you get this piece you can use it as a template to drill the front holes in the correct location and then either use panel adhesive or weld it in. This piece really takes all the guess work out of where the holes should be.

Jeff
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for the info. You never can know too much about these trucks.

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Hey Mike,

On mine, I used the outside front holes and then marked the locations with a Sharpie so I would have the locations exactly right with these seats. In the process of drilling I noticed the dimples that others have seen.

Anyway, I went ahead and used the outside fronts as they would be more secure than what I rigged up, and the console just barely touches the seats at the front corners. Not snug at all. *shrug*

Steve, my passenger side was just touching but the driver side was scrunched up against the console. Also, the inside mount hit the tunnel. This may be because my bracket got tweaked a little at some point? I don't know? But the driver side seat just didn't sit right in my cab. No dimples for the seat but console yes.

Originally Posted by litew8

NICE work mcbassin!

Thanks.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

You really think it's necessary or just extra insurance? That rib that runs across the front is pretty stiff just by design. I would like to fab one up, I have already thrown a bunch of time at this though. I will look at it tonight.

I think it is if you plan to drive the truck on a regular basis. I have seen a few trucks that were converted to buckets in the wrecking yard and the floors were stretched & cracked at the "new" bolt holes.

You would think if buckets would work safely without it the factory would have left the floor pans alone and not added the bracing to it.

[screaminchevypickup]

Looks good mike!! I think you have more than enough bracing!!
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[Zoomin]

Start spinning off some sets Mike. The line forms behind me, guys.
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[Duncan and son]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Hey Mike, member "Duncan & Son" already reproduce the brackets for underneath the cab. The only piece not reproduced is the big middle brace. Trevor

Hey Trevor, we have made some of those and they came out very correct even down to the square nuts. We only made a few to test quality etc. Do not have any now but will have more made.
Always appreciate you Paul

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by Duncan and son

Hey Trevor, we have made some of those and they came out very correct even down to the square nuts. We only made a few to test quality etc. Do not have any now but will have more made.
Always appreciate you Paul

I'll take a set once you have them. Thanks, Lee

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by Duncan and son

Hey Trevor, we have made some of those and they came out very correct even down to the square nuts. We only made a few to test quality etc. Do not have any now but will have more made.
Always appreciate you Paul

I am very interested in a set as well.

As per my PM (thought I would post so everyone would get the answer):

Time frame you are looking at for the next batch?

Did you guys reproduce the big bracket or all the small ones or both?

Thanks,

[68 IRON]

Subscribed...I'm gonna need this info too

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

I am very interested in a set as well.

As per my PM (thought I would post so everyone would get the answer):

Time frame you are looking at for the next batch?

Did you guys reproduce the big bracket or all the small ones or both?

Thanks,

To answer this question, they reproduced the smaller spot weld-in brackets. There is no way to cheaply recreate the bigger brace. Only find them used. I got a couple sets from them, I can dig them out and snap pics if needed. Trevor

Original Poster- I am sorry for straying away from your intended thread. You did a wonderful job with your brackets, and your work looks really clean and has a factory type quality. Trevor

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

...There is no way to cheaply recreate the bigger brace. Only find them used.

We looked at that at work last night as well and came to the same conclusion. The factory single piece design can only be produced by stamping out the part. Not easy to duplicate with typical small shop sheet metal fabrication tools.

We could make it in several pieces and weld it together but a used part from a Blazer would be less expensive.

We are looking into an alternate method of bracing the front seat mount points. What we have in mind would be quick & easy with inexpensive materials that could be installed by anybody who can install a rocker panel.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Original Poster- I am sorry for straying away from your intended thread. You did a wonderful job with your brackets, and your work looks really clean and has a factory type quality. Trevor

No sweat Trevor, that's what this board is all about. i.e. I try to learn at least a few new things every day.

Originally Posted by 68 TT

We looked at that at work last night as well and came to the same conclusion. The factory single piece design can only be produced by stamping out the part. Not easy to duplicate with typical small shop sheet metal fabrication tools.

We could make it in several pieces and weld it together but a used part from a Blazer would be less expensive.

We are looking into an alternate method of bracing the front seat mount points. What we have in mind would be quick & easy with inexpensive materials that could be installed by anybody who can install a rocker panel.

I had the same thoughts about fabbing that bracket out of multiple pieces. Honestly I think it will be plenty strong the way I did it. One thing that's kinda strange, the bench seat truck can get almost double the weight on a smaller area of contact. I have seen many of these trucks with a bench seat haul four people including my 70.

[jocko]

I am interested in a set of braces as well if/when you get around to making some more Duncan and Son. What a great thread - thanks mcbassin

[sameyrasmea72]

pics !!!!

[7dee2]

Excellent

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I had the same thoughts about fabbing that bracket out of multiple pieces. Honestly I think it will be plenty strong the way I did it. One thing that's kinda strange, the bench seat truck can get almost double the weight on a smaller area of contact. I have seen many of these trucks with a bench seat haul four people including my 70.

It's not the point load on the floor that is the problem it is the distance from the structural areas at the perimeter that is the problem. The outer and rear mount points are close to the strongest part of the floor at the perimeter structure so they aren't a problem.

It is the center mounts at the front near the cutout for the high hump tunnel cover as they are as far as you can get from a structural member. Lots of span makes for lots of flex under load. These two are the ones to worry about.