Truck Bucket Seat or Bench?

[KenWilkinson]

I can't figure out how to successfully mount the bench seat without messing a bunch of stuff up. Tunnel etc.

So now I'm thinking of bucket seats. Has anyone used FFR bucket seats successfully? Are there other sources (Ie, Miata?) that I should look at. High back or low back?

Would like to save some bucks if possible.

Ideas welcomed

Ken Wilkinson

[wallace18]

Miata seats are a good option.

[edwardb]

I'm at that exact stage in my truck build. I'm not a fan of the bench seat so ordered the Roadster buckets seats thinking I would use them for mockup and decide what seats we really wanted. After a lot of searching, still haven't come up with an aftermarket seat that fits very well. The Miata seats look interesting, but not sure I want to go through the hassle of trying to find some. As of today, my plan is to (1) use the Roadster seats, (2) 99% sure I'll add headrests for safety (several threads with good ideas), (3) raise them 3-1/2 - 4-1/2 inches off the floor, and (4) use sliders. Gives a little more versatility plus helps get to the needed height. The truck is very tall and headroom even at that seat height is still plenty. Plus helps with the legroom issue by making it more of a chair vs. legs straight out front. I've mocked it up and looks promising. The kit includes seat risers. But they're only about 1-1/2 inches. Wrapping up the transmission tunnel right now so I can confirm the exact amount of space available and make a final decision.

[KenWilkinson]

I'm at that exact stage in my truck build. I'm not a fan of the bench seat so ordered the Roadster buckets seats thinking I would use them for mockup and decide what seats we really wanted. After a lot of searching, still haven't come up with an aftermarket seat that fits very well. The Miata seats look interesting, but not sure I want to go through the hassle of trying to find some. As of today, my plan is to (1) use the Roadster seats, (2) 99% sure I'll add headrests for safety (several threads with good ideas), (3) raise them 3-1/2 - 4-1/2 inches off the floor, and (4) use sliders. Gives a little more versatility plus helps get to the needed height. The truck is very tall and headroom even at that seat height is still plenty. Plus helps with the legroom issue by making it more of a chair vs. legs straight out front. I've mocked it up and looks promising. The kit includes seat risers. But they're only about 1-1/2 inches. Wrapping up the transmission tunnel right now so I can confirm the exact amount of space available and make a final decision.

I'm researching this now. Note the following ideas that I found and the very reasonable prices!

Miata replacement seats:
https://www.gomiata.com/katpremitlea.html

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892XYJ5Q/?coliid=I4063HRTOFPJJ&colid=IZARI288THN&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QDX42W5/?coliid=I176EE5HYVY7AX&colid=IZARI288THN&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

~Ken

[J R Jones]

Ken, I had a seating delema with my 1929 Mercedes SSK Roadster replica. Originally a Phaeton with front buckets and a rear bench, the buckets were a crap design and aged-out.
I reworked the bench cushion into two pads and mounted the bench backrest behind them, articulated to give access to the small compartment under the rear deck. It is a half-a-bench that fits with the drive tunnel and shifter council. It is comfortable too.
jim

[edwardb]

I'm researching this now. Note the following ideas that I found and the very reasonable prices!

Miata replacement seats:
https://www.gomiata.com/katpremitlea.html

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892XYJ5Q/?coliid=I4063HRTOFPJJ&colid=IZARI288THN&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QDX42W5/?coliid=I176EE5HYVY7AX&colid=IZARI288THN&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

~Ken

Thanks for the info. I've looked at seats similar to those you link from Amazon and didn't seem like they fit. The Miata seats looking interesting. But so many choices! Which version (e.g. year) is appropriate? Will be curious to see what you do.

[Sbda4]

I built my truck using the Kirkey vintage bucket seats recommended by Tony at FFR. He suggested them because they would maximize leg room. They have a low back and a headrest is not needed since they are tight against the back of the cab. I am happy with them overall. I made my own mounts that tilt forward and allow access to the area under and behind the seat. But they weren’t without challenges. They are so wide that I had to keep my transmission tunnel narrow (6 inches) and the seats only have 1/8” gap between the seat and trans tunnel and the seat and door sill.

[chuck35truck]

I stuck with the bench seat and are pleased with the fit. I had to trim the tunnel for a better fit. I used Mercedes trunk hinges to allow me to lift up the seat to get to the back and make use of the space. The only problem is you need 2 people whenever you may need to remove it. Which I did to repair a leak on the connection of the TV cable to transmission case.

[McGuyver]

I picked up a pair of seats out of a 2016 miata for $200. Definitely not a drop in as far as fit goes, it would be nice if there was another inch of width to work with. I cut a section out of the square tunnel hoop, bent it in and welded it back together to gain a little working room. Will have to rework that section of the tunnel. I have not gotten to mocking angle iron seat riser mounts, I expect that placement will be challenging as well. One side of the seat back/headrest will hit the back window so I plan to cut out that recess and build it flush to gain just under an inch. Also looking to cut and extend the cab 3-4 inches.

[FFinisher]

I can't figure out how to successfully mount the bench seat without messing a bunch of stuff up. Tunnel etc.

So now I'm thinking of bucket seats. Has anyone used FFR bucket seats successfully? Are there other sources (Ie, Miata?) that I should look at. High back or low back?

Would like to save some bucks if possible.

Ideas welcomed

Ken Wilkinson

I like the bench seat. Raise it 4 inches off the floor
and bolt it in.

[edwardb]

I like the bench seat. Raise it 4 inches off the floor
and bolt it in.

I think that's the main point regardless of seats chosen. Get them elevated. I was surprised how much it helped when I mocked mine up. Thought the 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 inches I determined was a lot. But good to see another similar dimension. Plenty of headroom for the height and helps with the legroom. Plus it's just more comfortable.

[WBCook]

Ken, I am moving forward with 16" wide bucket seats from Wise Guys, Elkhart, IN (www.wiseguys-seats.com) 1-866-494-7348. They are not cheap, but, they seem to fit the cab space nicely and have an adjustable seat back and bottom pan, they also 2 options for the separate seat risers 2" or 4".

I have one at my shop, just the frame in bare metal/springs so I could test fit and determine my path forward for mounting them. The second seat, foam and seat covering will be ordered in next month or so. Your welcome to come up and see and try it out.

Warren

[bnelson]

I was looking at these for my next build. They build the buckets to your specifications at standard price.

https://bowenfoamfabric.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5

[edwardb]

Ken, I am moving forward with 16" wide bucket seats from Wise Guys, Elkhart, IN (www.wiseguys-seats.com) 1-866-494-7348. They are not cheap, but, they seem to fit the cab space nicely and have an adjustable seat back and bottom pan, they also 2 options for the separate seat risers 2" or 4".

I have one at my shop, just the frame in bare metal/springs so I could test fit and determine my path forward for mounting them. The second seat, foam and seat covering will be ordered in next month or so. Your welcome to come up and see and try it out.

Warren

Thanks for this great lead. I studying their website in detail, checked the dimensions, and the 16" bucket they offer looked very promising. Sent them a message with several questions and they got right back to me. 99% sure I'm going this way. Much better than what I was considering and anything else I've looked at. More expensive. But worth it I think. I'll be selling my Roadster seats to offset some of the cost. They're sort of local for me (about 3 hours away) so while I don't need to visit to order, will probably pick them up myself when done. Lead time quoted as 12-14 weeks. Which fits my build schedule OK.

[2017Glide]

I ended up removing the middle section/hump from the FFR bench seat, modified the tunnel a little to accommodate the width. My seat is a little elevated since it's mounted to sliders (I extended the cab about 6" to allow the seat to slide). The console and carpet covers the drive shaft hump. Everything worked out great.158858158859

[Robodent]

Awesome 2017glide !!!! I built truck #16 and missed the chop now after a year of driving it Iam seriously considering extending the cab and roll bar thru the cab into the bed. I’m thinking this will be a nice winter project next year.
I hope to see more pictures of your build. Rob

[cob427sc]

Just a suggestion for seats: I used buckets from a Mini Cooper in my real Ford 35 Pickup. There are various seat options (heaters, electric tilt, etc.) depending upon the model. Got at the junk yard for $50 each , leather upholostry, pump up and down, etc.