Bed Mounted Bench Seat

joey93turbo · 09-22-2004, 01:47 PM

I'd like to mount a bench seat in the bed of my '80 truck. I have access to a rear bench seat from an '85 4-runner and i'm wondering if it'll fit. Anyone know how wide those rear bench seats are? Who's done this?

Izeloz · 09-22-2004, 02:03 PM

It'll fit. Make sure you mount the seat and seatbelts someplace VERY secure. Stock vehicles with seats in the back have reinforced points on the body where the seat and belts bolt on. Think about welding some plate under the mounting points, or at least use a big, thick washer underneath.

joey93turbo · 09-22-2004, 02:16 PM

Awesome. I was thinking of lifting the bed off the frame and welding a two cross members then setting it back down, so i'd have something sturdy to bolt everything to. I doubt the upholstry will hold up well in the mud and rain, what do you guys think? I wonder how much it'd cost to get it re-upholstered in vinyl or something waterproof.

roctoy · 09-22-2004, 02:50 PM

My bed is fully caged and I have a pair of Suburu Brat Seats (plastic) mounted off the cage. I have a Corabeau bench seat in the back of my other truck, bolted to mounts that conect to my wheel wells

4runner · 09-22-2004, 03:48 PM

Anyone ever thought of using the 3rd row seats from a fullsize van?

these are only 48" overall width, come with stuff to bolt to the floor and some even have seatbelt points...

ferg · 09-23-2004, 04:47 PM

California law states seat in the rear of a p/u must be DOT approved. The only seats EVER approved were in Subaru Brats.

4runner · 09-23-2004, 05:21 PM

These are DOT approved since they were installed in DOT approved vehicles from the factory...

What difference does it make what vehicle they are bolted to?

Hammer Hog · 09-23-2004, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4runner

These are DOT approved since they were installed in DOT approved vehicles from the factory...

What difference does it make what vehicle they are bolted to?

I say the same thing, as long as the DOT approved seat/bench and restraints are securred to meet or exceed factory mounts.

I too am about to mount a Best-Top rear Jeep tumble bench in the back of my wife's 87 eXcab after I cut out the rear wall of the cab and do some roll-bar protection. I can guarantee it will be bomber, my kids will be riding on that bench.

09-22-2004, 01:47 PM	#1
joey93turbo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20262 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 194	Bed Mounted Bench Seat I'd like to mount a bench seat in the bed of my '80 truck. I have access to a rear bench seat from an '85 4-runner and i'm wondering if it'll fit. Anyone know how wide those rear bench seats are? Who's done this?

09-22-2004, 02:50 PM	#4
roctoy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Member # 15778 Location: california Posts: 770	My bed is fully caged and I have a pair of Suburu Brat Seats (plastic) mounted off the cage. I have a Corabeau bench seat in the back of my other truck, bolted to mounts that conect to my wheel wells __________________ flat black hoo-ride

09-22-2004, 03:48 PM	#5
4runner OSRSW ????? Join Date: May 2000 Member # 946 Location: WTF TX USA Posts: 4,161	Anyone ever thought of using the 3rd row seats from a fullsize van? these are only 48" overall width, come with stuff to bolt to the floor and some even have seatbelt points... Attached Images __________________ 4.3runner ---A golf course is a pointless exploitation of a perfectly good rifle range--- buy my ultra rare Omega III presentation rifle special price $47500.00

09-23-2004, 05:21 PM	#7
4runner OSRSW ????? Join Date: May 2000 Member # 946 Location: WTF TX USA Posts: 4,161	These are DOT approved since they were installed in DOT approved vehicles from the factory... What difference does it make what vehicle they are bolted to? __________________ 4.3runner ---A golf course is a pointless exploitation of a perfectly good rifle range--- buy my ultra rare Omega III presentation rifle special price $47500.00

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09-22-2004, 02:03 PM	#2
Izeloz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 30087 Location: Utah Posts: 1,425	It'll fit. Make sure you mount the seat and seatbelts someplace VERY secure. Stock vehicles with seats in the back have reinforced points on the body where the seat and belts bolt on. Think about welding some plate under the mounting points, or at least use a big, thick washer underneath.

09-22-2004, 02:16 PM	#3
joey93turbo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20262 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 194	Awesome. I was thinking of lifting the bed off the frame and welding a two cross members then setting it back down, so i'd have something sturdy to bolt everything to. I doubt the upholstry will hold up well in the mud and rain, what do you guys think? I wonder how much it'd cost to get it re-upholstered in vinyl or something waterproof.

09-23-2004, 04:47 PM	#6
ferg Flatland Join Date: Jul 2004 Member # 33169 Location: CAca Posts: 458	California law states seat in the rear of a p/u must be DOT approved. The only seats EVER approved were in Subaru Brats.