mounting newer silverado seats

[jcfoote60]

I am going to use 2005 Silverado buckets in my Jimmy, in the past I have used 9 inch grade 8 bolts and just punched through the rocker boxes to mount these type of seats on the outside and using 1/4 inch plates, what have you guys done to try and make these seats mountable and safe? The rocker boxes are pretty tough so my thought was that they are much better to use as a mount point than just the floor pan...any ideas?

[hotrodhomi]

A bolt that long creates a ton of leverage. I would not recommend that method. Why not build a bracket and weld it to the floor?

[BLUE THUNDER]

I'm doing the same thing and my idea consists of welding a box frame out of 1"x2" box tubing and utilizing the factory bolt holes to mount the frame to the floor. Then you can weld or bolt the newer seats to that. I'll post some pics of mine when I finish. Later, Mario.

[truckster]

I used a piece of plate steel and made an adapter plate for mine so I could use the factory bolt holes. I can take a pic tomorrow if you'd like.

[vtblazer]

I have some 2004 Tahoe seats going in mine to, using the method pictured below.

[darrenr]

Originally Posted by truckster

I used a piece of plate steel and made an adapter plate for mine so I could use the factory bolt holes. I can take a pic tomorrow if you'd like.

I am mounting some different seats too and would like to see those pictures. I have managed to line up the front outside bolts and I'll have to drill new holes for the inner bolts. The problem I'm having is how to bolt, weld or create a bracket for the rear outside bolts for each seat. I was going to use a nickle furtaute bolt anchor unless we come up with something better...

Any and all advice and pics will be appreciated! Thanks.

[truckster]

Keep in mind that these came from a 98 extended cab, so they may be a little different. First I test-fitted the seats in the Blazer. I wanted the most forward travel I could get without going forward of the raised area on the floor where the originals mounted. The tab on the 98 seat went forward, so I used a 3lb hammer to bend it backwards. Then I put took measurements and determined the size of the plate. I measured the original locations and drew out a plan on the steel. I drilled 1/2 inch holes so there would be a little bit of wiggle room. I bolted the plate to the floor, and then set in the seat and marked the location for the mounting holes. I made them 1/2 inch also. I pulled the plate out and used 7/16 grade 8 bolts to mount the seat to the plate, then mounted the plate to the floor.

The yellow circles show where the bolts go into the original locations in the floor.

[vtblazer]

Comfy...

Any pics showing how they look inside?

[fun in dirt]

Originally Posted by truckster

Keep in mind that these came from a 98 extended cab, so they may be a little different. First I test-fitted the seats in the Blazer. I wanted the most forward travel I could get without going forward of the raised area on the floor where the originals mounted. The tab on the 98 seat went forward, so I used a 3lb hammer to bend it backwards. Then I put took measurements and determined the size of the plate. I measured the original locations and drew out a plan on the steel. I drilled 1/2 inch holes so there would be a little bit of wiggle room. I bolted the plate to the floor, and then set in the seat and marked the location for the mounting holes. I made them 1/2 inch also. I pulled the plate out and used 7/16 grade 8 bolts to mount the seat to the plate, then mounted the plate to the floor.

The yellow circles show where the bolts go into the original locations in the floor.

That looks too simple & effective...I like it!

[r1lorenzini]

wow great idea I also like it. i can do it in a truck the same way right?

[LUV2XCLR8]

Yes, the floors are basically the same, however the inside holes (Tranny tunnel area)
might not be there. There may be dempels there from the factory cause some trucks
were available with buckets. No biggie though just drill some new ones and put plate
underneath the floor also so that it creates a sandwich of the floor sheetmetal. This
should be sufficient enough with the outer holes in the factory spots for the bench.

[Big J]

I think mine are 05 Silverado seats. I just centered them up, marked and drilled some holes to start. You have to remove the rear panel of the rocker box to access the under side of the floor for your outer mounting locations. After I had the holes drilled I took some large fender washers and welded some nuts to one side then bolted them up to the floor. I drilled holes down through the floor into the washers and welded them up securing them to the underside of the floor. I did the roll bar mount the same way, just using 1/4" plate instead of individual washers for each hole. I think I used 2 1/2" washers. If you'd have a hard time getting inside the boxes then I really like the plate mount, looks like a slick way to do it. My floors were mostly gone so it wasn't to bad to do.

[JayDubBlazer]

I went with the plate route. I fabed bolted down some 5/16"X4" bar stock to the orginal holes and then had stubs welded on to fit the placement of the seat. Once you cover it with carpet you can't even tell that there is bar stock there.

[truckster]

Here are a couple of pics from last summer...

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by truckster

Here are a couple of pics from last summer...

Those are a nice fit IMO.

Look great and have the correct shoulder harness mounting.

[tdkosta]

How is access to the back seats with the newer style seats?

[truckster]

The seats in mine are 60/40 split bench from a 98 extended cab. I think that was the last year before they started building the 3rd door. Both seats tilt and slide forward with a lever on the side of the seat back. At the base of the seat, it slides forward about 6 inches. I think the access is at least as good as with the original seat. And the seat back doesn't hit the windshield when it's forward.