Topic: suspension bench seats

[skin6061]

i was wondering if anyone used a suspension bench seat for the driver and passenger instead of using them for the back passengers?
i'm wanting to get rid of my stock bench seat in my 80 yota and put in nicer seats.  i thought about buckets but i really want to keep a bench seat so i can put my wife and kid in there at the sametime instead of h  aving to choose.lol   i could find a nice newer bucket from a 2nd gen but i saw that empi, mastercraft and other suspension seat companies make bench seats as well.  normally there for the back though.  so has anyone put one of theses seats up front, did you have any issues, hate it or like it, etc.

[skin6061 [OP]]

so no one has an opnion on this topic,the only issue i see are seat tracks and fitting over the tranny hump

[joey0712]

Have you priced them?.... It will change your mind. I love the idea tho


http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Beard-Bench-Seat-p-663.html

[skin6061 [OP]]

yeh i saw the price, you can get them a little cheaper from other manufactures..empi makes a cheaper one.  but the price on two bucket suspension seats are the same price as the bench.   this is just a thought of mine, maybe i can make it a reality someday.

[Snowtoy]

Most dump the bench for buckets for better comfort and support, and is likely why no one has tried a suspension bench seat. 

If the now 30yr old bench seat is worn beyond comfort, you might be able to fit a 2nd, 3rd, or 1st gen Tacoma bench seat in its place, while you save up for a suspension seat.  The 2nd gen bench seat is 48", same as the 60/40 split buckets in my '90, though I don't know how much head room and leg room you might loose.  I know there was some loss of head room with the a set of 60/40 3rd gen seats I installed in an '86 x-cab, but the leg room didn't seem to change any.

[skin6061 [OP]]

thanks for the idea, i have been considering swapping in a newer model bench seat but i'm having a hard time finding one for a decent price in my area... i defianlty want a 60/40 split with a console if possible though.  i'm still debating going buckets and building my own consol from fiberglass but i'm just not sure if i want to yet.

[Snowtoy]

Keep an eye on craigslist.com if your local wrecking yards want premium prices for seats.

Here is a pic of the 60/40 buckets I installed in the '86.


I am not sure if the bucket/bench combo seat made it into the 3rd gen and 1st gen Taco's, but that could also be a choice for you.  It has two bucket backs w/a bench bottom and a double fold down armrest  I get a pic of it later this week.

Center consoles can be a bit tricky, though out of teh 4 I have made, I find fiberglass is the easiest medium to work with.  I haven't tried to make a complete one of glass yet, the last one I used an ammo can and 1/8 rod to make a frame, then covered it glass and bondo.

[skin6061 [OP]]

building a console out of fiberglass is really not that hard for me since working with composites is what i do for a living.  I've been looking at craigslist and every now and then a truck will pop up that being pared out, but when i go look at it the interior is worse off than mine. i just  have to wait is all, the right deal will come along.  thanks for the pic of the seat that was really helpful

[Snowtoy]

If the console isn't a one-off and not to costly, you should have a market for them here and on other 4x4 boards.

Here is a shot of the Bucket/bench seat in my Dad's '85.


You might see if you can get new cushions made for your factory seats and recover them yourself, you might get lucky and find a set of replacement cushions on line, though i couldn't find any for either the my '87 Supra, or for the '94 Supra seats in my '91.  I haven't checked into what an upholstery shop wants to cut new cushions yet, but I am gong to have to before long.

[skin6061 [OP]]

I wouldn't mind redoing the bench seat but it needs new foam on the drivers side along with a new seat cover.  I called a shop to ask what what a they would charge and the shops quoted me around 300-500 to redo the bench seat.  Thats way to much to keep the original seat.