Bench vs. Buckets

[1-BAD-B]

If it was not a bucket seat car make sure you weld the inner track reinforcement plate to floor pan or floor will split. As far as preference if it had a bench i would leave it but buckets are cooler looking neither hold you in place on hard turns . Pull that lap belt tight!!!!!

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

If it was not a bucket seat car make sure you weld the inner track reinforcement plate to floor pan or floor will split. As far as preference if it had a bench i would leave it but buckets are cooler looking neither hold you in place on hard turns . Pull that lap belt tight!!!!!

Yep, .......inner and outer reinforcements, .......then don't forget the steering column change, there is a ***-load of cost and work involved in changing from Bench to Buckets correctly, .........but I like the look of Buckets with a Console, ...........I know some folks talk about the "slide over Baby" thing with the Bench , but always remember a bucket seat console car still has a back seat too .:grin:

 

[Speedy Canuck]

Thanks 69Hemi, I knew I'd need to reinforce the floor plans if I decided to go buckets, but I hadn't considered the need to change the steering column. I know there is some drilling of holes to install buckets for the track guides, but what else might I be overlooking in a bucket to bench or bench to bucket conversion?

 

[Joe Mopar]

Yep, .......inner and outer reinforcements, .......then don't forget the steering column change, there is a ***-load of cost and work involved in changing from Bench to Buckets correctly, .........but I like the look of Buckets with a Console, ...........I know some folks talk about the "slide over Baby" thing with the Bench , but always remember a bucket seat console car still has a back seat too .:grin:

My car is also getting bucket seats instead of a bench that was originally inthe car. I really wasn't aware of the extra requirements needed for the change over and I'm grateful for reading this.

69Hemi can you elaborate more on the steering column concern and if at all possible post a pic of the extra reinforcement needed for the inner side of the buckets and where one could buy them?

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

A console car has a floor shift column so that's the column and shifter linkage issue, you don't want dual shifters, one on the column and one in the floor,(LOL, I have seen that before) ........The Reinforcement plates are pieces of stamped steel about 4 by 6, send me your email and I will send pics , I can't get them to post, ......basically all they do is thicken the floor where the seats bolt through the floor, I don't know of anyone making these, I always cut them out of parts cars when I need them, but they could easily be made. by the way they are necessary to help save the floor pans and keep the seat in place, ....................A long, long time ago I converted a car and didn't reinforce the seats, I nailed it one night and threw the girlfriend back into the passenger seat, she was leaned up close to the dash when I punched it, ............Well the seat puled through the floor, I saw her feet go up in the air and she got a Beer Bath in the process.................Pissed off does not even begin to cover it, .................I was called everything but a Hubcap, a Door Knob and a child of GOD.

 

[Joe Mopar]

Now I understand the problem with the steering column, which thank God I don't have as my car was a push button. Finally I win one! I'm sending you my e-mail.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[hunt2elk]

I converted a car to bucket seats and found the inner rail supports at Year One. They are expensive for what you get though, I think $85 for the set of 4.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Hey Joe, Pics sent, Thanks,...Billy

 

[Joe Mopar]

I converted a car to bucket seats and found the inner rail supports at Year One. They are expensive for what you get though, I think $85 for the set of 4.

Yep! Thanks I found them...........99.95.........I agree......expensive for what you're getting.

I'll take 69hemi's advice and make them after I drill the holes through should be simple enough.

 

[Speedy Canuck]

A long, long time ago I converted a car and didn't reinforce the seats, I nailed it one night and threw the girlfriend back into the passenger seat, she was leaned up close to the dash when I punched it, ............Well the seat puled through the floor, I saw her feet go up in the air and she got a Beer Bath in the process

I guess that's why they tell you not to drink and drive eh? So you don't spill your beer :grin: Thanks for elaborating on what changes need to be made.

Also, I'm pretty sure I remember seeing pictures on here somewhere of a restoration that was getting bucket seats installed. There was a picture of the reinforced floor panels, I'll try to find it later.

 

[69 Runner]

Not entirely true. I know of a Hemi Charger that has buckets, console, and COLUMN shift from the factory. The console had a blank plate where the shifter should be. Was a radio delete (read wasn't ordered with a radio) car as well.

one odd duck

 

[440jimr]

Do any of you guys want to sell your bench seat? I need one for my 1970 Road Runner.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Not entirely true. I know of a Hemi Charger that has buckets, console, and COLUMN shift from the factory. The console had a blank plate where the shifter should be. Was a radio delete (read wasn't ordered with a radio) car as well.

one odd duck

That is very odd, I don't doubt it, Sounds like another "one off goof ball" , Now I bet you Chrysler wound swear they never built one this way.

 

[hotrod98]

One thing to consider is the leg room issue. My wife and I are the same height, but I'm long waisted and short legged and she's short waisted and long legged. When I set the bench seat to where I'm comfortable, she has no leg room. Also, most of my friends are taller (many much taller) than I am and they don't care to ride with me in my bench seat cars. We always have to take one of the bucket seat cars.
Thank God the Superbird has buckets because everyone wants to ride in that one.

 

[Speedy Canuck]

One thing to consider is the leg room issue. My wife and I are the same height, but I'm long waisted and short legged and she's short waisted and long legged. When I set the bench seat to where I'm comfortable, she has no leg room. Also, most of my friends are taller (many much taller) than I am and they don't care to ride with me in my bench seat cars. We always have to take one of the bucket seat cars.
Thank God the Superbird has buckets because everyone wants to ride in that one.

But on the flip side, being a single guy, this just helps me narrow down my focus. I'll just have to pick my girls based on if they fit in the car or not... "You must be under this tall to ride" ;)

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

But on the flip side, being a single guy, this just helps me narrow down my focus. I'll just have to pick my girls based on if they fit in the car or not... "You must be under this tall to ride" ;)

:rolling::rolling::rolling:

 

[rolling_Thunder]

My Road Runner was originally a bench seat car - and I plan on retaining the bench - I have two sets of B-body bucket seats but I just think I am going to keep the original feel of the car... my Charger and my Satellite are both bucket seat cars but the RR is just going to be a pound around town car...

 

[moparstuart]

I have buckets & console now but it started life as a bench col shift car .

 

[george68hemirr]

BLOW JOB$ are better with bench seats

 

[MarPar]

BLOW JOB$ are better with bench seats

This is very true!!! :rolling::rolling: