BigBendBroncos
Bronco Tech => Builds/Projects => Topic started by: lonesouth on February 19, 2012, 08:38:22 PM
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I had been searching for a while to figure out what I wanted to use for seats. I saw a chance picture on ClassicBroncos where the poster had used the center middle seat from an expedition for the rear seat. The picture was great, the seat has an integrated seat belt, the latch system, integrated sliders and bolts flat. The problem is, there is only seat per vehicle, so I needed to find two sets of seats.
After looking all over creation, I found an ebay auction for two sets of middle rows and a pair of captain chairs. Better yet, the seller was in Orlando. I asked if I could just buy the center seats, but they were adamant about selling the lot. So, for $99, I won the auction. My parents picked up the seats for me and brought them home. I REALLY didn't need all eight seats, they take up a lot of room in my garage.
It wasn't too much work to get the rear seats installed. Because the seats have sliders, it was simply a matter or setting the seats full forward on the sliders, and position the seats in the bronco as far forward as I would ever want them. This ended up with the side bolt hole about 3" forward of the stock rear bolt hole. I did not end up reusing any of the stock holes. I did have to drop the gas tank to install some of the bolts, I also didn't want any new vents in the tank.
There are 6 bolts per seat, two front, two rear, and one on each side. Two of the side holes ended up locating on the rear body cross rail, so I needed to get some longer 3" bolts for these. The rest of the bolts are 1.2" grade 5 backed by 2" fender washers and zinc plated nuts.
I'm really happy with the way the rear seats fit. They are vinyl and clean up easily, are comfortable and fold flat. I've found the passenger seat creates a blind spot, so I leave that down all the time unless I've got a passenger. The driver's side has a car seat for Tucker and is easy to reach.
Test fitting the seats
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/6342f3ec.jpg)
This is the seats as they come out of the expedition. I removed one of the mounts from the side that has two mounts.
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/73d39745.jpg)
Mount removed
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/242eb769.jpg)
Seats bolted in
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/P1000440.jpg)
Folded flat
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/P1000441.jpg)
Upright
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/P1000444.jpg)
Side view
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/P1000442.jpg)
Front angle view
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/P1000443.jpg)
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Those turned out nice, too bad you cant use some of the other seats for the front.
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Funny you mention that. I was cleaning up the garage yesterday and got to looking at them. I think I can use a pair of the middle outside seats up front, and I think they will work out really well. The seats are fold and tumble for access to the rear seat in the expedition. The passenger seat will mount to the floor pan on the integrated foot. The driver's side will need to be modified to remove the foot and the stock bronco slider modified to provide mount points for the front swivel point and rear anchors. The seats should sit a little lower also!
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af224/lonesouth/77%20Cut/ab2c2b53.jpg)
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The bottom of those look nice and thin so they would be perfect if you can get them mounted up.
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Just thought about it, but they may even recline :O
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Gary, think you have some time wednesday/thursday after work to fab up the brackets?
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My plasma cutter died so I have no way to cut steel right now.
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Parker if you decide to get rid of stock front seats let me know
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their yours soon as i get the expyseats in. gary, what about a cutoff wheel?
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I guess it depends on what cutting you need. If it's just a few short straight cut it should work.
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I'm going to get all the pieces cut and drilled, then we can do the welding and fitment whenever we both get free. I'll get back to you when I've got it prepped.
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Sounds good.