1980 Bench

[44SAA]

Will any bench from 1973-1987 be compatible to a 1980? I’m looking for a plug and play solution without welding brackets or drilling holes in my cab- thank you

[WarBeard]

If the bench is from a regular cab, yes it will bolt right in. The difference is mostly seatbelt issues. The older seats do not have holes for the middle buckles to pass through. I believe a bench from a 73-74 doesn't fold forward (Correct if I'm wrong). Bench seats from Suburbans and crew cabs also do not fold forward however if you change the seat tracks on them (they just unbolt) they will fit a regular cab. Rear bench seats from a crew cab should already have regular cab brackets on them.

[TKCR]

Any 73-87 seat will bolt up to the floor of the cab. The thing you can't do, is swap tracks from seat to seat. The tracks must match the seat frame. They changed 3 times during the 73-87 span. In the pic they are listed from left to right.
73-76
77-80
81-87
So for example, you can not use tracks from a 81-87 seat and bolt them to a seat frame, of a 73-76 or 77-80 seat frame. So as long as the the seat comes with it's original tracks, then you'll be fine.
And there are some 73-76 seats that do tilt. But any seat you get, will most likely have broken springs. I would strip the seat down and repair any broken springs, while the seat is out of the truck. And repair any other issues, such as rust.
You can always let me set you up with a fully restored seat for your truck.

[44SAA]

Thanks for the insight boys.
TKCR- don’t think I’m not tempted. I’ve been lusting after your craftsmanship and fine seats for yrs!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 44SAA

Thanks for the insight boys.
TKCR- don’t think I’m not tempted. I’ve been lusting after your craftsmanship and fine seats for yrs!

You'll be happy if you did!! What color are you wanting to put in your truck?

[44SAA]

Frankly I’m not that picky when it comes to seat color. What’s most important to me is comfort and plug and play. Can you confirm for 1980 truck that 1977-80 is the exact fit?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 44SAA

Frankly I’m not that picky when it comes to seat color. What’s most important to me is comfort and plug and play. Can you confirm for 1980 truck that 1977-80 is the exact fit?

Yep exact fit. The 73-80 have a different frame and seat bottom foam, than the 81-87. The frame is a lot heavier, the springs are different and it is just a tad longer. Another way to tell, the 73-80 seat adjuster is to the side of the seat. The 81-87 adjuster is in the front. Any of these seats will bolt right up to the cab floor. I am only giving you clues on how to identify what year the seat is. Someone else had started a thread awhile back, because they had taken a seat from a truck and thought it was the same year as the truck. They went and bought new foam and a cover, and it was wrong. Somewhere along the way, someone had swapped the seat. So that is all this is, is a way of identifying the seat.

[44SAA]

Great call on the seat adjuster bar- a quick way to discern seat dates for 73-80