Different Seat Options

[RockyPat]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to replace my 1971 Charger's regular bench seat with a split/buddy bench seat or bucket seats.

I have read that bucket seat cars came with some sort of reinforcement in their floor board for the inner seat bolts by the transmission tunnel, and that I would have to install some myself if I wanted to go bucket seats to prevent floor board damage.

I am also looking at buddy/split bench front seats because they can look like buckets when the center arm rest is folded down, but still retain the bench capabilities and they seem cheaper to get than buckets.

My problem: I see that some split/buddy bench seats come with a buddy seat that needs to be bolted in to the floor. (71 seems to be this way and the seats themselves are thinner and look like two bucket seats with a buddy seat)

This would be the same as installing bucket seats right? Would I have to add floor reinforcements?

OR

I have seen these split bench seats:

That are in later year cars 73/74. They are thicker and seem to be one whole seat without a buddy seat. Just the arm rest comes down.

Would this be a direct bolt in to my existing regular 71 bench seat holes? Seems like a much easier install. Would there be any problems installing this seat besides not being year correct?

Thanks!

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Split bench with arm rest will be a straight bolt up into the regular bench provisions on floor boards

Buckets, yes it requires a plate reinforcement on the hole areas for the inner studs on buckets. These reinforcements are available repro thought. Not a big deal.

Buddy seat will require an extra set of brackets Welded up to the transmission tunnel what would need to be get used, since as far I know these are not reproed.

The bucket/buddy seat combo is nice because both buckets can be set independently one from the other since each one get its own rails and adjuster. Buckets are the same with buddy seat or console. No diff between them. You could get the buckets no matter if coming from a buddy seat or console car and then later the buddy seat. All 71/74 buddy seats are the same ( can't tell if earliers too ), not the buckets thought. 70 are the same than earlier 71 production and these are diff from later 71 production. They look the same since the cover didn't change but frame and seatback panel changed a lot along the 71 production. This doesn't affect on the brackets and holes location thought.

Buckets/buddy set will be more expensive. Split bench with arm rest should be cheaper, BUT they don't float on everyday. Every bench use to be replaced with buckets, but I think most owners don't put these on sale since they don't think could be desirable, and send them to the trash.

Split bench seat with arm rest began to be available on 70, so with patiente you could get a correct 71 bench for your car, which on fact was standard for 71 SEs

 

[Nacho-RT74]

You can get also 72/74 buckets, will fit exactly the same, but the seat cover patter won't match with your rear bench and the foam between 70/71 and 72/74 is different. Will need to customize the seat covers to match them with rear bench OR match the rear bench cover with fronts. If keeping 72/74 covers pattern door panels will be slightly diff too with them thought.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Here is a buddy seat being sold with brackets. I bet the excesive price of this buddy seat is due the brackets being included, not really the buddy seat itself

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184645552948?hash=item2afdbb8b34:g:z3sAAOSwmyZfjDXz

 

[Nacho-RT74]

And these are the brackets to be welded to the floor. Used, but they are available new

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154030114911?hash=item23dce9085f:g:Zk4AAOSwUfhfJiX4

Here welded to the floor. A body, but pretty much the same on all.

 

[RockyPat]

Split bench with arm rest will be a straight bolt up into the regular bench provisions on floor boards

Buckets, yes it requires a plate reinforcement on the hole areas for the inner studs on buckets. These reinforcements are available repro thought. Not a big deal.

Buddy seat will require an extra set of brackets Welded up to the transmission tunnel what would need to be get used, since as far I know these are not reproed.

The bucket/buddy seat combo is nice because both buckets can be set independently one from the other since each one get its own rails and adjuster. Buckets are the same with buddy seat or console. No diff between them. You could get the buckets no matter if coming from a buddy seat or console car and then later the buddy seat. All 71/74 buddy seats are the same ( can't tell if earliers too ), not the buckets thought. 70 are the same than earlier 71 production and these are diff from later 71 production. They look the same since the cover didn't change but frame and seatback panel changed a lot along the 71 production. This doesn't affect on the brackets and holes location thought.

Buckets/buddy set will be more expensive. Split bench with arm rest should be cheaper, BUT they don't float on everyday. Every bench use to be replaced with buckets, but I think most owners don't put these on sale since they don't think could be desirable, and send them to the trash.

Split bench seat with arm rest began to be available on 70, so with patiente you could get a correct 71 bench for your car, which on fact was standard for 71 SEs

View attachment 1150898

View attachment 1150899

Nacho, I cannot thank you enough for these posts. I now have all the information I need in one thread. I appreciate the time you took to write out these posts! Other forum members who are interested in swapping seats in 71-74 b bodies will definitely find these posts very handy!

 

[RockyPat]

I did not know that the brackets for bucket seats can be commonly found. That is good!

 

[RockyPat]

You can get also 72/74 buckets, will fit exactly the same, but the seat cover patter won't match with your rear bench and the foam between 70/71 and 72/74 is different. Will need to customize the seat covers to match them with rear bench OR match the rear bench cover with fronts. If keeping 72/74 covers pattern door panels will be slightly diff too with them thought.

Do you happen to know if a 71 seat cover will fit onto a 72/74 seat from legendary auto interiors?

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Do you mean the split bench with center arm rest ? I think they could be the same frame and foam on all 71/74 production, but can't tell for sure.

Now, on buckets covers... no they won't except if you add some material on foam sides. 72/74 foams are more "flat" than 71 as far I know

Need to say the full interior would need to be matched on any change you make. If you have regular split bench in front, once you change either to Split bench with arm rest or buckets, the rear bench will need to be changed accordingly to get a full matched set-

 

[RockyPat]

Do you mean the split bench with center arm rest ? I think they could be the same frame and foam on all 71/74 production, but can't tell for sure.

Now, on buckets covers... no they won't except if you add some material on foam sides. 72/74 foams are more "flat" than 71 as far I know

Need to say the full interior would need to be matched on any change you make. If you have regular split bench in front, once you change either to Split bench with arm rest or buckets, the rear bench will need to be changed accordingly to get a full matched set-

I was referring to bucket seats in my mind, but I did not write that down in my post. Sorry about that! I did not know that the foam was different between the years. Thanks again Nacho for more solid info! Much appreciated!

 

[Nacho-RT74]

I need to say I don't know EVERYTHING about this. Most of this information is based on observation, along the years not personal experiences. So be picky about this info and will be nice to be confirmed

 

[RockyPat]

I need to say I don't know EVERYTHING about this. Most of this information is based on observation, along the years not personal experiences. So be picky about this info and will be nice to be confirmed

Will do Nacho. Much appreciated!

 

[WheelsOfTerror]

Here is a buddy seat being sold with brackets. I bet the excesive price of this buddy seat is due the brackets being included, not really the buddy seat itself

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184645552948?hash=item2afdbb8b34:g:z3sAAOSwmyZfjDXz

Wow that's pretty steep. I have a buddy seat up for grabs, $100 plus shipping if anyone wants it. It's black and includes the front bracket. DM for pics

 

[RockyPat]

Thanks for letting me know! I will think on it. I appreciate your opinion on the price.

 

[AngelOfMurci]

Do you mean the split bench with center arm rest ? I think they could be the same frame and foam on all 71/74 production, but can't tell for sure.

Now, on buckets covers... no they won't except if you add some material on foam sides. 72/74 foams are more "flat" than 71 as far I know

Need to say the full interior would need to be matched on any change you make. If you have regular split bench in front, once you change either to Split bench with arm rest or buckets, the rear bench will need to be changed accordingly to get a full matched set-

Nacho,
I’ve searched far and wide to figure out how to remove the rear upright bench seat, for my 71 Dodge Charger. I removed the lower rear bench seat no problem. I tore off all the roached covering to rear backrest seat. I also removed all the foam. I’m now looking at the frame and springs. I see no bolts or anything that looks like it would release the backrest frame. Any advice on how to remove the rear upright frame/seat?

Thanks

 

[Nacho-RT74]

On my 74, and pretty much I'm sure on all 3rd gens because all interchange, you'll find two bent tabs on every bottom corner holding the seat back on bottom. Straighten them and the will be able to pull/slide it up to remove from the top hangers... and done.

I can't recall any need for the seat belts removing for any of the seat sections

 

[terrywalker]

Nacho,
I’ve searched far and wide to figure out how to remove the rear upright bench seat, for my 71 Dodge Charger. I removed the lower rear bench seat no problem. I tore off all the roached covering to rear backrest seat. I also removed all the foam. I’m now looking at the frame and springs. I see no bolts or anything that looks like it would release the backrest frame. Any advice on how to remove the rear upright frame/seat?

Thanks

View attachment 1223090

Here's the tabs for seat back Nacho is referring to from my 74 Charger.
Terry W.

 

[AngelOfMurci]

Guys, Thanks for the quick response! This Saturday I’ll hop into the car and see if I can straighten the tabs to remove the backrest seat frame. The car is under a tarp sitting outside in 10 degrees F… so it’ll be a quick job

 

[AngelOfMurci]

Couldn’t wait until Saturday. Jumped into the car and was able to remove the seat. I can now get to the trunk, as the trunk lock does not seem to work(there’s tension, but it doesn’t release the lock hook).

thanks a lot!

 

[426s martin]

swapping bench seat to buckets on 71 super bee-----are the seat belts the same?