New seat foam question… again.

[Michael D]

Seat foam question… again. I know this has come up time after time but this is ridiculous.

On my last 1972 K10 build, 5+ years ago I replaced the seat foam and like everyone else who has done this I ended up sitting 1” from the top of the cab. If I recall, I bought that foam from CJ Pony. To remedy the height I bought a set of FCF lowering brackets. Problem solved, sort of. The seat height was better but I shouldn’t have had to replace the seat brackets to get there. Anyhow I sold that truck.

After selling that I got the bug again and bought another 1972 K10. This one needed a seat cover so I bought a cover from LMC. After removing the old cover I saw the foam and damn, 50 year old foam smells, turns to dust, etc. so I ordered new foam, this time from Jegs.
And once again I’m sitting an inch from the top. I’m only 5’11”.

Just to be 100% clear both trucks had the correct 1972 year seat brackets and seat height wasn’t an issue until I swapped the foam.
What the heck gives? Does anyone make a proper fitting foam? I’ve heard CCP does but I’m not convinced so I’m probably going to buy another set of FCF lowering brackets.
I shouldn’t have to modify one thing to fix something so simple.

Is anyone else having this issue? If you’re modifying the new foam and if so, how? Someone has to make the right foam height for a 72 WITH 72 seat brackets?

[72c20customcamper]

You can’t judge the seat height going by the old 50+ year old foam as you said it turns to dust . New foam will always be firmer and the height will be more . I used PUI foam had the same issue but in theory if the seat skin fits the foam is correct size wise . The firmness may be more than original no way to really know . The 67-72 trucks are rather cramped for taller people to be honest I’m more comfortable driving my 85 k20


Just an observation but when I was younger in the 70s most of the older people I knew (middle-aged) were not all that tall had very few as tall as myself . Maybe because these people grew up during the depression and their nutrition wasn’t all that good .

[70STOVEBOLT]

Weren’t there two types of seats that had different thickness foam?

[Michael D]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

You can’t judge the seat height going by the old 50+ year old foam as you said it turns to dust . New foam will always be firmer and the height will be more . I used PUI foam had the same issue but in theory if the seat skin fits the foam is correct size wise . The firmness may be more than original no way to really know . The 67-72 trucks are rather cramped for taller people to be honest I’m more comfortable driving my 85 k20


Just an observation but when I was younger in the 70s most of the older people I knew (middle-aged) were not all that tall had very few as tall as myself . Maybe because these people grew up during the depression and their nutrition wasn’t all that good .

I considered those things too. My dad bought his 1972 custom deluxe new and at 81 he is still 6’1 and still has a pretty big gut and he was struggling to fit in my K10 and my truck has tilt, his didn’t. I just don’t remember the seat being that high and the steering wheel that close but as a kid it wasn’t anything I ever thought about. Like I mentioned I’m 5’11” and pretty fit and the stock steering wheel now sits about 1” above my lap.
I was just trying to find out what other people have done to remedy this because I can’t be the only one having this issue.

[Michael D]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Weren’t there two types of seats that had different thickness foam?

Yes, based on the seat structure under the foam. Both of my trucks had/have the original 72 base with the zig zag spring pattern.

[Sicklajoie]

Thanks for this thread, Michael.
I've had 2 of these trucks since 2010. I didn't realize that FCF lowering brackets even existed. As much as I love this generation truck, I like the seating position of the square bodies better. Hopefully these brackets will replicate that.
I just ordered a set today.

[HO455]

I'm sure the problem lies in the stiffness of the foam as 72c20customcamper stated. Foam comes in many varieties and no one knows what stiffness GM used back in the day. (Except maybe the Grumpster, bless his sole, may he rest in peace)

If I was you I would remove the bottom inch of foam and replace it with a softer foam so the foam collapses down more when your seated but still looks right when no one is sitting on the seat. If 1 inch isn't enough then replace 2 inches off the original foam height with softer foam.

Heck we're luck to get aftermarket parts that are close to the right size let alone being made of the correct factory material.

[Michael D]

Originally Posted by HO455

If I was you I would remove the bottom inch of foam and replace it with a softer foam so the foam collapses down more when your seated but still looks right when no one is sitting on the seat. If 1 inch isn't enough then replace 2 inches off the original foam height with softer foam.

Heck we're luck to get aftermarket parts that are close to the right size let alone being made of the correct factory material.

You know I considered that but I didn’t see that anyone else had done it so I was a bit leery that I’d ruin a new seat. I also considered using an upholstery punch/cutter to add about 100 .5” diameter evenly spaced holes to soften it up too but the risk of a puncture spot through the seat cover stopped me from doing that. In the end I just put my new covers on and did nothing. I have to pull the seat back out and I may do both, remove an inch and “drill” maybe 50 holes evenly spaced out to soften it up. Either way I also bought another set of FCF seat lowering brackets as another option.