Bucket seat swap Bolt question

[OneWay2Rock]

Hi all, I'm new here and just got a (new to me) 1990 Silverardo that I'm going to use for work and to fix up a bit. I have a question on swapping out the bench seat for a set of buckets. I have the buckets already but what I would like to know about is what kind of bolts are holding the seats down? I read a fantastic write up about a swap and having to drill new holes for the inside rails but then do i use bolts / nuts, big self tappers? Has anyone done this? Any help would be great!

Thanks!

OneWay2Rock

[JWall]

When I switched mine from a bench to buckets, I used the holes from the bench for the outer holes of the buckets, then drilled the inner holes & used high grade nuts & bolts (and used flat washer & lock washer).

[OneWay2Rock]

Thanks Jwall, I thought I'd have to do something like that, but wanted to get someone who's done it advice before tackling it.

OneWay2Rock

[gmt400]

When I swapped mine I pretty well did the samething as JWALL but I used thick plates on the underside of the cab floor about quarter inch thick squares about 2inch x2inch with holes drilled in them (came from a hitch kit they were spacers) because I figured that the bolts could pull through in a wreck and they kind of reinforce the mounting area if you notice the original bolts go into a nut welded to a metal plate then attached to the cab floor. but I dont know it might be overkill.

[jb1016]

Originally Posted by gmt400

I dont know it might be overkill.

Naw, it's never overkill when it comes to safety. Sounds like a good idea.

And welcome to the board, oneway.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by gmt400

When I swapped mine I pretty well did the samething as JWALL but I used thick plates on the underside of the cab floor about quarter inch thick squares about 2inch x2inch with holes drilled in them (came from a hitch kit they were spacers) because I figured that the bolts could pull through in a wreck and they kind of reinforce the mounting area if you notice the original bolts go into a nut welded to a metal plate then attached to the cab floor. but I dont know it might be overkill.

I like that idea actually.... I'll store that one in the memory bank for the future.

[3quartertime]

Originally Posted by OneWay2Rock

, big self tappers?

Whoa!!! Definitely don't use self tapping bolts!

I did this recently and took some pictures. I think the thread is called 'bucket seat swap'. I used high grade bolts, lock washers and nuts, but I like the plates idea!

Good luck!