IN Gauging Interest - 69-72 Cab Floor Bucket Seat Brace

[Old_Truck_Fan]

I have been working on reproducing the hard to find 69-72 cab floor bucket seat brace for my own project vehicle. I liked the idea of working with new metal and have enjoyed the metalworking challenge. I still have a few more details to work out before I am happy with the part. See pictures next to an original brace below. I figured there may be others who could use this item for their own builds and would also like working with new metal rather than a rusty original. This part is hand formed not stamped so cost would be in the $250 range. I would leave out the holes for the weld nuts so you could add them after the brace is welded in which is what I plan to do. The material is cold rolled steel. The thickness I'm currently using is 18 gauge (0.048 inch), but I plan to go with 16 gauge (0.0598 inch) for the final run. The original brace I have measures about 0.054 inch. If enough folks are interested, I'd consider making a handful of them. Let me know if you would be interested in this item or if you have any thoughts or improvements I could make based on the pictures. Looking forward to your feedback.

[Harlowhead1972]

Nice work. I'm guessing you will wrangle quite a few customers! Harlow

[Old_Truck_Fan]

I was able to form the brace out of the thicker 16 gauge material this weekend. It takes a bit more time to work with but you can feel the difference in weight and stiffness compared to the 18 gauge test panel. The caliper images show the comparison back to the original brace.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Slowly dialing in the process. Each one gets a little bit better. Once I have a final version I plan to document the installation on my own truck. The 16 gauge material is great for a forearm workout!

[57larry]

a very nice looking piece

[Black71Shorty]

I will take one when you get everything “dialed” in. Looks like a great piece. Very nice work! Keep us posted!

Thanks
Coby

[special-K]

I have a deal going on a set of buckets and I'm thinking I may use them in my '72. If I do I would be a buyer for sure. I know, if, if, if doesn't pay the bill. But I'd say you could sell all you make. Is this something you could do one at a time... to order? Or will you set up and knock a 'batch' out?

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Originally Posted by Harlowhead1972

Nice work. I'm guessing you will wrangle quite a few customers! Harlow

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 57larry

a very nice looking piece

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Black71Shorty

I will take one when you get everything “dialed” in. Looks like a great piece. Very nice work! Keep us posted!

Thanks
Coby

That sounds good. I'll let you guys know when I think they are ready to sell. I'm hoping to test fit it on my own truck over the Christmas break. My test floor pan section works good but nothing like actually welding one in for real. Hopefully that goes good.

Originally Posted by special-K

I have a deal going on a set of buckets and I'm thinking I may use them in my '72. If I do I would be a buyer for sure. I know, if, if, if doesn't pay the bill. But I'd say you could sell all you make. Is this something you could do one at a time... to order? Or will you set up and knock a 'batch' out?

No problem. Thanks for the feedback. Yep, I could see making these to order. I'm not sure I could crank out very many in one sitting anyway. Plus I need some weekend time to work on my own truck. I'm glad you guys like what you see so far. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thanks for the motivation.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

I'm wrapping up the installation on my own truck. I'm happy with how things are fitting. Hoping to weld it in for good by next weekend. I used weld nuts for the center console mounting. I like that better than the factor sheet metal screws. I plan to provide the braces with enough weld nuts to do the same if you so desire. See attached pictures. Be on the lookout for a new thread where I'll be selling my first batch.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

The first batch of parts is now available at the following link.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...91#post8515391