Buckets...console vs buddy smackdown

[Spartan]

I did a search but I'm still a little confused.
If I'm reading it right buddies are 67-68 and consoles later?
Also what are frame differences? Side by side pics anyone? And maybe vs bench frame.
Im on the fence...well actually on one side and my wife is on the other. My kids like the bench.
Pics? Opinions? Facts?
Thanks
Nim
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[SS Tim]

Bench seat is by far the cheapest and most versatile. Everything from seating for three (or four) to a place to crash.

Buddy buckets offer two semi-bucket seats on a common frame plus a center seat with a fold down console back. The assembly mounts to the floor the same as a bench seat thus a drop in replacement.

The bucket seats (and utility seats) mount individually to the floor seperately with backup brackets and a cross rail. These are not the same points as a bench. The bucket seats also had a center console that is floor mounted and not a seating surface.

Utility seats were the wider panel truck and standard Blazer seats without a console.

To me the true buckets are much more comfortable than any of the others followed closely by the utility seats. Beware of motorhome seats being sold a factory seats. The plywood bottoms are a dead givaway there. While they work they are not the same and in reality are just glorified boat seats.

[Spartan]

Excellent info Tim.
I am siding with the kids - bench.
My lovely wife likes the buddies (a place to put her purse...idk)
Console is out - no need to drill holes.
I will go buddies if she agrees we need the 69 4x4 440 power wagon down the road (giggle)
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[SS Tim]

Probably the best for you would be to convert to a folding bench seat back, then you can store some smaller softer stuff behind/in the seatback. As I said earlier I like the buckets and want to have those in my dog truck. Probably going to go with a metal security console instead of the stock unit for both protection and a stomp pad for getting into the sleeper.

[Ol Blue K20]

Tim, you got any pics of the sleeper? Don't think I have ever seen one
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[SS Tim]

My plan is to enlarge to two front dog box holes and add a folding divider between them with a front chain curtain. This will allow it to be used as a sleeper or carry a mother and puppies where they can be monitered easily. Then of course each could be closed up instead providing two two dog boxes.

Now back to your question. There were period sleepers. The few I can remember were either short toppers or a really short slide in camper (without the overhead) that slid to the front of the box with cross seating for two that folded out to a bed across. Really most of it was kid stuff for traveling. Spent a lot of time in a cross bed in the front of a topper myself.

[Ol Blue K20]

Yes, I spent a lot of time back there as well. That was in my fathers 72 K10, the good ol days. You would get arrested for it now days. They would call it child endangerment.
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[DeadheadNM]

Ok remind me - a 69-70 bucket seat can be "converted" to that correct for a 71-72 with use of the appropriate foam? In other words, the frames are identical but differ in shape of the foam (and upholstery) - correct?

[SS Tim]

Per Leddzepp
"69-75 bucket seat frames are the same.
69-70 uses different foams and covers.
71-75 seat foams are the same, with covers changing in 73."

[Spartan]

I prefer bench for ability to sleep (as Tim mentioned)
Stomp pad? Are you saying that there is a cutout in the cab to transition or gain access to the bed from the cab? Or a slider?
Would that mean relocating the tank? Hmmm
You guys just opened a can of worms as my indecisiveness grows.
We discussed it and my wife says buddies. Thanks for the pics!
Interesting info in this thread even if I am still not sure what I want. Maybe try both. Just seems comfort vs usefulness. I'll put a check in the buddy colum for now too.
Thanks
Nim
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[Spartan]

Just went back and I missed the dated portion of the pics.
So... Buddies would not be period in a 69. This is something I'll have to ponder and the folding bench indeed seems "more correct" for my build.
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[SS Tim]

Trying to keep this on track and answering questions is sometimes difficult but fun. My intent is to probably build a security console similar to the once common aftermarkets for Blazers. The pass through for me would be a simple camper boot and the snaps that many now remove. But if my truck was based on a cutout motorhome a fuel tank relocation and enlarged cutout is also doable. Remember I am looking at a C30 based 4x4 Longhorn or bigger, maybe 147"wb /9' bed (short box extended 2 1/2') or 151wb /10' bed (longbox extended 2').

You are correct buddies are not factory correct for post 68 trucks (except AMT kits) but were used by other manufactures until much later (think 79-80 LRET) there were also aftermarket buddy style offerings into the early eighties until the minis took over.
Typically these were a pair of van replacement buckets on a common bench frame with sliders for each and a console or some wood tray creation.

If you really wanted something you could probably build it for less than a set of buddies other than covering. A frame with a pair of low back jeep replacement seats on sliders would be a great alternative. A pair of van style swivels would be just too cool but that would eliminate a center pad, with a little work you could still have low center storage as well as under seat storage.

[SS Tim]

The purist in me cringes but here are some aftermarket solutions.

http://www.discountvantruck.com/truc...airLowback.htm

http://www.discountvantruck.com/truc...truckseats.htm

Now a factory bucket on a 6-way power base and with a seat heater would be nice.....

http://www.discountvantruck.com/rvva...rseatbases.htm