Question about dressing up factory bench seats - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**John Fabris** · 11-02-2006, 07:07 PM

Hi Gang,

I am almost ready to take my truck in to get the interior done (bench seat, carpets, panels, etc...)

Before I do that, I would like to change the bolts on the pivot point and stops of the bench seat.

On the pivot bolt, I was thinking of using threaded rod and then cap it off with a stainless cap nut, but for the seat stop, what is on there is a bolt with a nut, and i have not been able to come up with any ideas of what to use instead of the ugly bolt and nut.

Any if you that have redone your bench seats, did you do anything different for the hardware or just reused the old bolts?????

UPDATE added pictures. Looking at the driver side, you can see the head of one bolt going thru the arm of the back frame, and threads into the bottom frame. That is the pivet point bolt, ugly.... Then, if you look further up the arm of the back frame, you will see the welded on box that houses the welded nut for the bolt and nut used as the stop bolt.

Trying to find something different to dress up these two bolts, by replacing them with stainless bolts is the easiest, but just wondering if and what other options or ideas anyone else has used... Thanks!!!

Longhorn Man · 11-02-2006, 07:10 PM

You probably won't get too many ideas, most of these trucks didn't have flip forward seats.
Can you post some photos by chance?

glock35ipsc · 11-02-2006, 07:21 PM

John,

Help me to picture the seat stop....is the bolt threaded into the frame with the nut being an adjustment lock to set the seat stop position?

If so, what about taking a piece of round bar, 1/2" or so in diameter, and having one end turned down so that it can be threaded and screwed into the frame. Then cut the bar to the correct length and round the edge a bit. Then have chromed or powder coated?

Or am I way far off on what you are talking about?!?!?!?!?

As for the pivot, what about polished stainless or chrome button head cap screws?

**John Fabris** · 11-02-2006, 07:32 PM

I will take photos of what the seat looks like now (when I get home tonight).

Glock, ya, something like that, I have been walking thru hardware stores (Ace, mom/pop stores, Home Depot, etc...) trying to find that is similar to that, thinking along the lines of a chome locating pin, or even small pin with rubber stop.

Again, I will take some pictures to help those to visualize what I am looking at.....

**67 cst swb** · 11-02-2006, 07:47 PM

I was thinking of using a that rounded head allen head bolt for the pivot point. (yes this is the type stuff that keeps me up at night) then,...
using a allen head (the type with the knurls around the top) as the stop bolt, used with a thin stainless jam nut...
Are these fold forward seats really that rare?

chevyman432003 · 11-02-2006, 08:19 PM

i am using seat belt bolts for the pivit bolt just drill and tap the old holes and for the stops i am using the bolts that hold the back seat of an 80s camaro folding seat

**John Fabris** · 11-03-2006, 01:58 AM

TTT - added pictures to the top post...

nandress · 11-03-2006, 03:03 AM

Man...I am trying to work through all these things myself right now, as well!!!

The pivot bolts are a special shoulder bolt that I haven't seen repros of, though I didn't get the chance to compare to AMK Products http://www.amkproducts.com before I had to give it to my upholsterer. You should be able to make a bushing of the right size and then use a fancy bolt to do the trick (I think the originals are in fact a bushing and bolt pressed together).

For the stop bolt, ARP makes a distributor stud (ARP-450-1702 at Summit for under $6 each) that is the exact length needed. It has a base with 3/8-16 threads (about half an inch long) and with a stainless jam nut looks just like the original stud, but in stainless. The problem is the upper portion is 3/8-24, and it is almost impossible to track down a stainless wingnut in 3/8-24 (though I have found one at Fastenal, but haven't ordered one for it yet to find out for sure). But if you don't want/need the wingnut, any good stainless nut would work well.

67chevy2wd · 11-03-2006, 03:58 AM

Are you just looking for a stop or something to lock the seat back until you want to get back there, Like on 73 on up seats. If you were just looking for a stop what about some sort of stop like used on the hoods, the two adjustable rubber stops. Or you could use the hardware from a 73 on up seat.

Americanrider · 11-03-2006, 02:53 PM

As far as the pivot bolt head go here is an idea. Drop by your local Harely dealer or a custom Bike shop. They sell chromed caps that attach to ugly bolt heads. Many bikers use them to cover up axle & frame bolt heads.
It's called a HEX BOLT COVER KIT

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US

**John Fabris** · 11-03-2006, 10:05 PM

AmericanRider, Sweet Tip!!!! Thanks...

11-02-2006, 07:07 PM	#1
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Question about dressing up factory bench seats Hi Gang, I am almost ready to take my truck in to get the interior done (bench seat, carpets, panels, etc...) Before I do that, I would like to change the bolts on the pivot point and stops of the bench seat. On the pivot bolt, I was thinking of using threaded rod and then cap it off with a stainless cap nut, but for the seat stop, what is on there is a bolt with a nut, and i have not been able to come up with any ideas of what to use instead of the ugly bolt and nut. Any if you that have redone your bench seats, did you do anything different for the hardware or just reused the old bolts????? UPDATE added pictures. Looking at the driver side, you can see the head of one bolt going thru the arm of the back frame, and threads into the bottom frame. That is the pivet point bolt, ugly.... Then, if you look further up the arm of the back frame, you will see the welded on box that houses the welded nut for the bolt and nut used as the stop bolt. Trying to find something different to dress up these two bolts, by replacing them with stainless bolts is the easiest, but just wondering if and what other options or ideas anyone else has used... Thanks!!! Attached Images __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB Last edited by John Fabris; 11-03-2006 at 01:56 AM.

11-02-2006, 07:10 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats You probably won't get too many ideas, most of these trucks didn't have flip forward seats. Can you post some photos by chance?

11-02-2006, 07:21 PM	#3
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats John, Help me to picture the seat stop....is the bolt threaded into the frame with the nut being an adjustment lock to set the seat stop position? If so, what about taking a piece of round bar, 1/2" or so in diameter, and having one end turned down so that it can be threaded and screwed into the frame. Then cut the bar to the correct length and round the edge a bit. Then have chromed or powder coated? Or am I way far off on what you are talking about?!?!?!?!? As for the pivot, what about polished stainless or chrome button head cap screws? __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

11-02-2006, 07:32 PM	#4
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats I will take photos of what the seat looks like now (when I get home tonight). Glock, ya, something like that, I have been walking thru hardware stores (Ace, mom/pop stores, Home Depot, etc...) trying to find that is similar to that, thinking along the lines of a chome locating pin, or even small pin with rubber stop. Again, I will take some pictures to help those to visualize what I am looking at..... __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

11-02-2006, 07:47 PM	#5
67 cst swb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 2,281	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats I was thinking of using a that rounded head allen head bolt for the pivot point. (yes this is the type stuff that keeps me up at night) then,... using a allen head (the type with the knurls around the top) as the stop bolt, used with a thin stainless jam nut... Are these fold forward seats really that rare? __________________ My Trucks: 1967 Chevrolet Short Wide Box 327 TH350 9" w/3.90 gears paint will be White - Current Project 1967 Chevrolet Custom LWB 283 TH400 3.73 Posi, no-AC, no-PS, no-PB, bench-seat, small-window - mostly orig driver 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB originally a 327 TH400 3.73 Posi AC PS PB, had Buddy Buckets, Small Window - parts truck 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB, 283 MT 3.73 had Buddy Buckets, Panoramic Window - parts truck 2001 Chevrolet 3500 2WD Crew Cab Dually 8.1L Allison White

11-02-2006, 08:19 PM	#6
chevyman432003 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: houston, tx. Posts: 8	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats i am using seat belt bolts for the pivit bolt just drill and tap the old holes and for the stops i am using the bolts that hold the back seat of an 80s camaro folding seat

11-03-2006, 01:58 AM	#7
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats TTT - added pictures to the top post... __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

11-03-2006, 03:03 AM	#8
nandress Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 211	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats Man...I am trying to work through all these things myself right now, as well!!! The pivot bolts are a special shoulder bolt that I haven't seen repros of, though I didn't get the chance to compare to AMK Products http://www.amkproducts.com before I had to give it to my upholsterer. You should be able to make a bushing of the right size and then use a fancy bolt to do the trick (I think the originals are in fact a bushing and bolt pressed together). For the stop bolt, ARP makes a distributor stud (ARP-450-1702 at Summit for under $6 each) that is the exact length needed. It has a base with 3/8-16 threads (about half an inch long) and with a stainless jam nut looks just like the original stud, but in stainless. The problem is the upper portion is 3/8-24, and it is almost impossible to track down a stainless wingnut in 3/8-24 (though I have found one at Fastenal, but haven't ordered one for it yet to find out for sure). But if you don't want/need the wingnut, any good stainless nut would work well.

11-03-2006, 03:58 AM	#9
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats Are you just looking for a stop or something to lock the seat back until you want to get back there, Like on 73 on up seats. If you were just looking for a stop what about some sort of stop like used on the hoods, the two adjustable rubber stops. Or you could use the hardware from a 73 on up seat. __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

11-03-2006, 02:53 PM	#10
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats As far as the pivot bolt head go here is an idea. Drop by your local Harely dealer or a custom Bike shop. They sell chromed caps that attach to ugly bolt heads. Many bikers use them to cover up axle & frame bolt heads. It's called a HEX BOLT COVER KIT http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US Attached Images

11-03-2006, 10:05 PM	#11
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question about dressing up factory bench seats AmericanRider, Sweet Tip!!!! Thanks... __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB



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