Bench seat that doesn't fold forward - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gigem · 04-26-2013, 04:58 PM

I was talking to an upholsterer today about recovering or replacing the bench seat in my 1980 today. He mentioned that mine was the first he had seen that had a bench seat that was rigid/not hinged. Does not fold forward to allow access behind the seat.

He seemed to know what he was talking about, but who knows? So I am curious, do most bench seats fold forward?

I know that my seat is original, as it had a build sheet in the springs that had info on it that matches the vehicles VIN...

ghettoluxury · 04-26-2013, 05:04 PM

Yes most seats fold forward. The front seat in a crew cab does not.

donut · 04-26-2013, 05:40 PM

My '73 didn't fold forward, just assumed it was a '73 thing.

Jonboy · 04-26-2013, 06:22 PM

I think it was still an option when your truck was built. Beint a Custom Deluxe, it may have not been real impotant when the truck was ordered/built.

The folding seats will swap in place if you want to find one and get it recovered.

**hatzie** · 04-26-2013, 06:24 PM

I think folding seats were an option.
I've had custom deluxe 73, 74, 75, 77, & 79 with seats that didn't fold.

mtnsackett · 04-26-2013, 08:05 PM

My Dad has 79 Chevy K20 Custom Deluxe that the seat is ridged, thought it was standard but who knows

LynnJr · 04-26-2013, 08:19 PM

My 74 doesn't fold but it does have two chrome plates I don't know how to put back on so maybe it will fold after that.

88Jimmy4x4 · 04-26-2013, 09:55 PM

Folding bench was an extra cost option, your non-folding was the basic standard seat
Posted via Mobile Device

Rubble · 04-27-2013, 12:19 AM

Ya,our 80 C20 custom deluxe had a non folding seat,PIA,swapped out for a folding one.Much easier to put stuff behind the seat.It's a real bare bones,first truck we had without interior light above rear window.
Posted via Mobile Device

bluex · 04-27-2013, 01:10 AM

There are two bolts in the hinge you can take out to make it folding. The only problem is it doesnt lock. I've had them out in mine for years with no issues though. The seat back rests on the cab and gives it a little more rake. Its a little more comfy too, but if your short I guess it wouldnt work out to good. I keep mine almost all the way back so it works fine for me....

04-26-2013, 04:58 PM	#1
Gigem Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lakeway, TX Posts: 335	Bench seat that doesn't fold forward I was talking to an upholsterer today about recovering or replacing the bench seat in my 1980 today. He mentioned that mine was the first he had seen that had a bench seat that was rigid/not hinged. Does not fold forward to allow access behind the seat. He seemed to know what he was talking about, but who knows? So I am curious, do most bench seats fold forward? I know that my seat is original, as it had a build sheet in the springs that had info on it that matches the vehicles VIN... __________________ 1972 GMC Sierra Grande (current truck) 1980 Chevy Stepside (gone) 1987 Chevy Blazer (gone) 1972 Chevelle SS Convertible (gone) 1973 Chevy Corvette (gone) 1967 Chevy Camaro (STOLEN!)

04-26-2013, 05:04 PM	#2
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward Yes most seats fold forward. The front seat in a crew cab does not. __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

04-26-2013, 05:40 PM	#3
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward My '73 didn't fold forward, just assumed it was a '73 thing. __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

04-26-2013, 06:22 PM	#4
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward I think it was still an option when your truck was built. Beint a Custom Deluxe, it may have not been real impotant when the truck was ordered/built. The folding seats will swap in place if you want to find one and get it recovered.

04-26-2013, 06:24 PM	#5
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,930	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward I think folding seats were an option. I've had custom deluxe 73, 74, 75, 77, & 79 with seats that didn't fold. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

04-26-2013, 08:05 PM	#6
mtnsackett Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Centerville, MN Posts: 81	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward My Dad has 79 Chevy K20 Custom Deluxe that the seat is ridged, thought it was standard but who knows __________________ "Not all those who wander are lost." A.R.R. Tolkien... Some of us are exploring to see what is out there in this world!

04-26-2013, 08:19 PM	#7
LynnJr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: santa rosa,california Posts: 650	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward My 74 doesn't fold but it does have two chrome plates I don't know how to put back on so maybe it will fold after that.

04-26-2013, 09:55 PM	#8
88Jimmy4x4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: houston, texas Posts: 1,974	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward Folding bench was an extra cost option, your non-folding was the basic standard seat Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2008 Silverado Z71 RCSB 1991 GMC Jimmy 4x4 1976 GMC Sierra C15 SWB

04-27-2013, 12:19 AM	#9
Rubble Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Big Valley. Alberta Posts: 674	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward Ya,our 80 C20 custom deluxe had a non folding seat,PIA,swapped out for a folding one.Much easier to put stuff behind the seat.It's a real bare bones,first truck we had without interior light above rear window. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1977 Chev C30 454/465/14ff DRW 1974 Chev C20.350/465/14ff " Rock n Roll ain't noise pollution"

04-27-2013, 01:10 AM	#10
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	Re: Bench seat that doesn't fold forward There are two bolts in the hinge you can take out to make it folding. The only problem is it doesnt lock. I've had them out in mine for years with no issues though. The seat back rests on the cab and gives it a little more rake. Its a little more comfy too, but if your short I guess it wouldnt work out to good. I keep mine almost all the way back so it works fine for me.... __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/



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