More seat questions.

[mr402]

Read the responses for bowtieman's post on using late model seats and saw lots of good issues. Many posts made a good case for keeping the stock seat. I'm still contemplating an upgrade but mostly because I want a seat with head rests. After being rear ended and having a sore neck for over 2 years now I'd like a little prevention. Anyone have solid ideas to modify the stock seats to add a headrest? This is one safety feature that no one ever seems to address in any of the seat discussions.

[gr8scott51]

Get a late model Silverado seat - you'll be glad you did.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Have you ever sat in a 99-02 silverado???? It's like heaven compared to a 67-72 seat!!!! I have been looking to purchase an '02 Z-71. Test drove a lot of different trucks. Cloth, leather, whatever, they FEEL GREAT! They are pretty high priced in junkyards but I will be putting one in my '67 someday. The brackets require modification, but they will fit just as well as a stock seat.

[67ChevyRedneck]

also, 88-98 seats fit even better than 99-02 and only require drilling new holes in the bottom of the bracket. they will then bolt right in, they use a flat style bracket. BUT i dont think they are as comfy as 99-02

[gr8scott51]

For my mid 90's seat, all I had to do was drill 4 holes.

[4x4Poet]

No one is answering the question. I see no reason why you couldn't weld in a headrest bracket. You'd just have to make sure it was strongly welded and bracketed and also properly aligned. Junkyards must have tons of trashed seats that could give up head rests cheap.

Make sure the angle of the seatback will allow extension of a headrest without hitting the rear window.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I understand your question, buy why do it? Stock seats aren't that comfortable. You also answered your own question. You can weld in headrests, but they most likely wont be adjustable. It will be difficult to weld on a seat without burning holes in it. If you plan to have it reupholstered...i can't spell, then go for it. BUT it also seems to me that our seats are too low in the back anyway, defeating the purpose of adding a headrest....its up to you man. Take some measurements and head to a local yard and see what you can find. I've never heard of anyone else doing this. Personally, once again, for comfort and headrests I'd go with an 88-04 silverado seat....you can even get one with a fold out center console!!!!! Good luck

[vtblazer]

Why not install the late model (comfy) seats with head rest's already built in and just use your original seat belts? That would get you away from all the "shoulder strap" issue's.
Seems like a simple/basic solution to me.
I'm running some first and second row seats out of a 2003 Tahoe in my 72 burb with a tilt column and a later model steering wheel and I gotta tell ya, I'll never go back. :p

[gr8scott51]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Why not install the late model (comfy) seats with head rest's already built in and just use your original seat belts?

That was my point.

[uk72step]

Scott,
Hi. If you're not going the modded direrction and thinking of adding newer model seats to solve your issue, Classic Trucks Mag did a feature on different truck seats for 67-72 trucks in the.... let me check.....in the Aug 2004 issue (vol.13 No.8). Depends on what you want.. summary is basically seats(bucket) or bench.
BUCKETS With Headrest:
99 up Silverado (seats with centre console/folding 3rd seat) have belts & rests fitted.
96 Burb/Tahoe 2x bucket with rests & centre console.

BENCHES
97 up F**d F-150 bench has rests but rails need modded
94-01 dodge rests & integrated seat belts....(but is apparently a tight fit)
96 Up Astro (back seat) bench with belts n rests (nice)

Hope that Helps, other than modding your existing seats to accept a rest that is.

Cheers
Lee

[uk72step]

Just a thought, but how about simply cutting a slot in the top bar and inserting the assembly from a set of 60's 70's car seats, like roll tops or something out of a

60's caddy eldorado,
Pontiac GTO,

. Take the whole adjusting (raising mech) and slide it into the slot. Use the bezels etc from that to make it look stock.
Just a quick thought, at least you could keep the stock seat, solve the issue of the headrest and keep it kind of period looking....... obviously not sure on the actual how to but may be an option worth considering as many of these headrests are just sliders on inserts into the top of a frame anyway.

Maybe someone has already done this and can detail it .......... I guess that option also depends on what height you are. I'm pretty short and the seat back sits at shoulder blade level so may not be a great deal of use unless they extend up a little bit.

[Bill72BB]

I installed the 98 Silverado 60/40 , depending on your height and gurt ,you will need to install a later model steering wheel ,I also have a tilt column .

[HeavyD]

What did you use for belts? That seat looks good in there...any room problems for people a little over 6 feet? Thanks.

[Palf70Step]

The 88-98 are the only way to go far as I am concerned. You can't beat the comfort anbd very simple to put in. Mine are from a 94 C1500 extended cab. If you want headrests the donor will have to be a 92 and newer truck. I even used the complete shoulder/lapbelt setup from the 94 also. Works great!

[mr402]

Lots of great ideas and suggestions. I too like the comfort of the late model seats but the post regarding integrated belts and the structural strenght of the floor gave me second thoughts. All I know at the moment is I NEVER want to go through that again. Looks like I'll be hitting the yards when I have some time off over the holidays. With any luck something will catch my eye.

[Putter]

I totally agree, go late model. They ride super nice and have very good back support.

[RonRdRcr]

Let's see more pics guys, I'm starting to get an idea of what I need to do this next summer....haha