Anyone have an air ride or Viking seat?

[davepl]

According to the GMC accessory book for 1970, you could order from the dealer a full Bostrom Viking Air Ride seat (#2234290), though I've never seen one.

It says "for all trucks with air", and then there's an insert showing the optional vacuum-powered compressor #2234296, listed for everything BUT the GA series and diesels.

You could then add a buddy-bucket-like center seat and the passenger companion seat.

The only downside appears to be that you could have them in any color you wanted to match your interior so long as your interior was black.

Does anyone have one in their truck? Anyone even seen one in a C10-30 truck?

[special-K]

Those were an option for medium duty and larger trucks, just like the dual air horns, nt available in 10-30 series

[davepl]

Originally Posted by special-K

Those were an option for medium duty and larger trucks, just like the dual air horns, nt available in 10-30 series

Nope. That's what I had assumed too. It's a factory option on medium duty, dealer accessory for light duty. I'm looking right at the page.

It's for every vehicle, including CA1500/KA1500 (Not sure what the A is, I assume C is Conventional) except the Astro 95.

To wit, the smaller trucks need different risers:

"...in CA & KA1500 through 3500 use riser 2234468"

[special-K]

Ok, I was speaking from factory. But what 10-30 series truck would have air and why would anyone feel the need for such a thing. Only the heaviest medium duties had air brakes. I seriously doubt, if these were available for light trucks, anyone would have ordered Bostrom air seats in a light truck. I certainly have never known of one. I do know the buddy buckets were made by Bostrom. I doubt with the way these trucks ride you would see the benefit of air suspended seats if you did put them in.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by special-K

Ok, I was speaking from factory. But what 10-30 series truck would have air and why would anyone feel the need for such a thing. Only the heaviest medium duties had air brakes. I seriously doubt, if these were available for light trucks, anyone would have ordered Bostrom air seats in a light truck. I certainly have never known of one. I do know the buddy buckets were made by Bostrom. I doubt with the way these trucks ride you would see the benefit of air suspended seats if you did put them in.

That's why I asked if anyone has ever seen one! I think it'd be pretty rare. Without a bill for the dealer install it'd be very hard to document one.

I can see it in a Longhorn, actually. Custom Camper built for long-road travel, maybe you'd want it. Opinions vary but these trucks can be bone shakers when not loaded, for example. I guess if you had a camper you'd be always loaded, though.

[special-K]

My '71 C/20 (leaf spring) rode great with the camper. Those Bostrom air ride seats were bare bones spartan compared to the full foam seats the fancier trucks like yours and that one I had got. They are about smoothing the ride for the driver in much rougher riding trucks than these, and it's the air ride that does that. I wonder how one could sit low enough to fit. It would be cool if I was wrong, but seriously doubt any 10-30s got these. They are much nicer seats today. My buddy with a '58 Reo put a set in a year or so ago. That's a tandem drive big truck. The old cabs are small, but he had to cut the floor out and sink them to get the height low enough.

[davepl]

Well, they wouldn't print the catalog and list them as available unless they expected -someone- to buy one. But the onus would be on me to find one!

[tcrist]

There are a lot of dealers near you. You never know, they might be able to hook you up.

http://www.bostromseating.com/en-us/...arch=0&=Search

[midniteblues]

a few years ago i came across a 70's something c 50 in the jy it had the bostrom air ride seat in the dr side but the pass side had a perfect low back bostrom bucket that kinda resembled a buddy.I researched the bostrom site an found it was the pass side they would use when a air ride was used on the dr side.
any way i pulled it for the $10. he wanted for it and figured if i came across another i would use them.
i looked consistinly for over a year and didnt find another like it i found some that were similar but not identical.

anyway i put the single on cl and a fell'a from maryland called me that nite an said he'll take it. that fri nite he drove up to get it.

said he knew what it was an it was going in a off road jeep he was very happy to pay what i was asking.

i must say it was a nice comfy seat. in hindsite wish i woulda kept it for my lawn tractor

the air ride seats were/are pretty tall and heavy.

dave you have mentiond your bench isnt that comfy(the kids bench sucks too) i think we've both done about the same kinda work on them.

i was kinda thinking some how install a air bladder into the seat(very out the box thinkin)but like anything it could be done.

[davepl]

Here's what was available. "For All GMC Pickups" and "For all Models Except Astro 95"
Non-air Trucks require Vacuum Powered Comressor 2234296 (This is all on the same page)

GMC BOSTROM Viking Seat (2234290)
- Viking passenger seat (2234150)
or
Viking T-Bar Suspension Seat (2234149)

Center console seat for pickups, fold-down (2234469)

GMC Bostrom Contour Bucket Seats
- Without shoulder rest (Looks like my buckets)
- With shoulder rests
- Passenger seat versions of both
- Lancer 62 Companson seat flipdown

Problem again with all of these is they were black only and you'd have to either swing a deal or buy a bench-seat truck and toss the bench.

Before someone tells me again only for heavy duty trucks, the catalog page says again:

"For cab models H, J, C, Ml CA & KA 1500 thru 3500" (and they spelled it 'thru')

[long67]

I guess find one with it.

[davepl]

That's what I'm trying to do! I don't want one, rest assured. I just think it's amazing and odd that they'd offer them for C10s and am trying to find evidence anyone ever did it!

Though I imagine if and when I do it'll be in a GMC Longhorn or C3500 likely...

[long67]

Lots of folks on here,ya never know.

[mrz16]

Hey guys. I have a NOS GMC accessory, part number 2234296 in the factory box. Says Vacuum Power Compressor Assembly (All Models Except G and Diesel). It is complete with vacuum tank, compressor, hoses, tubes and various hardware. There was only one instruction sheet in tattered condition. It might be missing other sheets, but I can't tell. All of the parts are in mint condition. What year was this used and what is the value of this unit in the accessory GMC box? I've been told this was originally bought for a Chevrolet truck. Mark