Bucket Seat Installation Question

[gag1025]

I installed the bucket seats from a 1999 Silverado in my '53 Chevy truck and bolted them to the floor so that I can now get the carpet installed. My question is should I weld a piece of 2" - 21/2" x 1/4" flat steel across the bottom from frame member to frame member and bolt the seats to this to make it more secure?

[booger1949]

u cant never b to safe is my motto

[mknittle]

No it will fatigue the sheet metal floor! if you think you need more streing th make some plates to spread the load on the floor butNEVER weld anything from the floor to the frame as they move independently that is why the cab has shackles.

[sgtusmc]

I'd go with 3"-4" square, 1/4"-1/2" washers/plate per seat bolt. Not welded to the sheet metal. I'd use grade 8 bolts with Loctite. I'd also round off the corners on the washers.

[gag1025]

So what I'm getting is that the floor sheet metal offers enough strength to hold the seats in place safely. I will add some 4" 1/4' thick rounded corner plates to each bolt (4). This will be a lot easier than my original (now defunct) idea. Thanks for the tips guys . You made my life a lot easier.

[OrrieG]

You just need something to spread the load under normal driving. If you are ripping the seat bolts through the floor you already have a much larger problem to worry about. I had some buckets in mine before and I just used 3/16" x 3 x 3 plates on each side of the tin with Grade 8 bolts, washers and loctite. It saw plenty of off roading without any problems.