Aftermarket Bucket Seats

JM_ART

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I was wondering whether anyone has installed aftermarket buckets into their C Body? We have the split bench front seat, which needs new upholstery. Scat/Procar has some pretty nice looking buckets, however, and I wondered whether anyone has gone that route. Thanks in advance!
 
I am not a stickler for originality..
But I do have to wonder the cost and aggravation of installing buckets
as opposed to having your seats re-done....
Maybe check with a local upholstery shop and see what they would want to re cover your seats..
 
I’m not a stickler for originality either. She’s a 52 year old car, and the claim of being “original” fades as more parts are replaced, or systems are improved. I thought about having the original front seats recovered (we’ll certainly do that with the rear seat), but I have a preference for buckets.
 
Why not look for ‘67/‘68 bucket seats with the center buddy seat with the fold down arm rest. This way there is no gap between the bucket seats or having to source some sort of console. The proportions will fit your car properly, will look period correct and you get bucket seats.
 
You may find that there are drilled/threaded factory holes in your floor for buckets. Even though my car came with the bench, it does have the holes for buckets. This should make it easier, if you do go for some type of buckets.

I'm not a stickler for originality either, but I do try to make mods that don't require cutting up the car.
 
You may find that there are drilled/threaded factory holes in your floor for buckets. Even though my car came with the bench, it does have the holes for buckets. This should make it easier, if you do go for some type of buckets.

I'm not a stickler for originality either, but I do try to make mods that don't require cutting up the car.
I’m glad you mentioned this because, even though it should have, the thought never dawned on me that there may already be holes for buckets that are already there. I’m going to have the car jacked up tomorrow, so I’ll take a look then. I’m not for cutting up the car either. But, if a modern, comfortable, good looking bucket is available, and a bracket can be made, then why not?
 
One thing that I've noticed is that aftermarket seats tend not to be as good quality or built as well as OEM seats.

I remember looking at the buckets in my company Impala and thinking they could be a nice replacement seat for an older Mopar.

s-l1600.jpg
 
One thing that I've noticed is that aftermarket seats tend not to be as good quality or built as well as OEM seats.

I remember looking at the buckets in my company Impala and thinking they could be a nice replacement seat for an older Mopar.

View attachment 398230
Oddly enough, I was talking with one of my neighbors about this the other day (he has a ‘67 Coronet two door), and about whether it would be possible to use seats from a late model Chrysler or Dodge (like maybe a Charger, or a 300). And my ‘14 Impala seats are very comfortable. I can drive over six hours and not feel fatigued. I guess it’s going to come down to whether one would physically fit, and then whether the bracket would fit, or could be modified to fit.
 
One thing that I've noticed is that aftermarket seats tend not to be as good quality or built as well as OEM seats.

I remember looking at the buckets in my company Impala and thinking they could be a nice replacement seat for an older Mopar.

View attachment 398230
So right on this suggestion. We’ve done this a bunch of times with old cars. My buddy does upholstery so we get everything done pretty cheap if we are willing to help out. Key to this working is pitching the goofy modern headrests. Then at first glance it kind of hard to notice.
 
So right on this suggestion. We’ve done this a bunch of times with old cars. My buddy does upholstery so we get everything done pretty cheap if we are willing to help out. Key to this working is pitching the goofy modern headrests. Then at first glance it kind of hard to notice.
The Impala headrests aren't quite as goofy as some of them. I think the one I had was an '08. The twin posts have made me wonder if you could incorporate a 68-70 style Mopar headrest.

0h_buk_100_v2__21690.1423851852.1280.1280_29c6149b-3d6b-4442-aaa4-caeb76aec16c__36748.1506354070.jpg
 
I have Mirada buckets in my fury and will be putting Omni buckets in the RR. I like high back buckets. I have oem correct low backs in my charger and they are not comfy.
 
I have Mirada buckets in my fury and will be putting Omni buckets in the RR. I like high back buckets. I have oem correct low backs in my charger and they are not comfy.
The post by @Big_John now has me thinking about possibly fitting late model Chrysler or Dodge seats (Challenger, 300, or Charger). And I think he’s right about the OEM seats perhaps being better built than the aftermarket ones. I started looking at photos of the frames and undersides of both, and the OEM seats seemed more substantial.

What did you have to do to attach your Miranda seats in your Fury? Did you have to make many modifications to the seat adapters to get them bolted in?

I had a ‘79 Magnum and a ‘81 Charger. The seats in both were okay. If I had to pick between the two, I’d probably go with the ones from the Magnum because I drove it from Wyoming to Missouri without it causing a back ache. Of course, I was in my early 20s... Ha!

I’m with you; I’d rather be comfortable than “period correct”, and I’m not building a concourse car. I just want something supportive and comfortable.
 
So right on this suggestion. We’ve done this a bunch of times with old cars. My buddy does upholstery so we get everything done pretty cheap if we are willing to help out. Key to this working is pitching the goofy modern headrests. Then at first glance it kind of hard to notice.
So perhaps a more modern, later model seat, but upholstered to have a closer appearance to a vintage seat? That’s a really interesting suggestion, and something else I never thought of.
 
Super lucky, I used the oem seat tracks from my oem buckets on the Mirada seats. I do sit a little tall in the car.
RR has a bench so I'll have to do something different.
 
Super lucky, I used the oem seat tracks from my oem buckets on the Mirada seats. I do sit a little tall in the car.
RR has a bench so I'll have to do something different.
Wow, that was lucky, wasn’t it? They just bolted up like that? How much is “a little tall”? An inch or so? Enough to be noticeable I guess.
 
Wow, that was lucky, wasn’t it? They just bolted up like that? How much is “a little tall”? An inch or so? Enough to be noticeable I guess.
I'm just shy of 6' and I have to duck a little to see the traffic light at small intersections. Been that way for 20yrs so I guess it doesn't bother me too much :thumbsup:
 
One thing that might not be apparent, at first, is that most of the modern buckets are a bit narrower than the ones the cars used to come with. You sit "on" the seat, not "in" it, for example. Notice where your thighs are in relation to the edge of the seat. Another thing would be that the inside edges of the seat cushions are covered in a fabric so the leather/vinyl will not squeak against the center console as the seat moves up and back.

The other thing is the width of the seat's seat tracks in comparison to the width of the seat tracks on the intended "victim". Might need to make some 1/4" aluminum or steel plate adapters, as the dual exhaust R-cars had on their driver's side seats. Most of the aftermarket seat tracks are designed for a completely flat vehicle floor, which might not be the case in earlier vehicles.

Obviously, many late model seats could be possible to fit in the earlier cars. You might head out to a salvage yard with mainly late model vehicles, which should have some of those seats already pulled out and on a shelf for purchase. Take pictures and measure. I suspect that most will have lots of power adjustments, too.

Happy shopping!
CBODY67
 
One thing that might not be apparent, at first, is that most of the modern buckets are a bit narrower than the ones the cars used to come with. You sit "on" the seat, not "in" it, for example. Notice where your thighs are in relation to the edge of the seat. Another thing would be that the inside edges of the seat cushions are covered in a fabric so the leather/vinyl will not squeak against the center console as the seat moves up and back.

The other thing is the width of the seat's seat tracks in comparison to the width of the seat tracks on the intended "victim". Might need to make some 1/4" aluminum or steel plate adapters, as the dual exhaust R-cars had on their driver's side seats. Most of the aftermarket seat tracks are designed for a completely flat vehicle floor, which might not be the case in earlier vehicles.

Obviously, many late model seats could be possible to fit in the earlier cars. You might head out to a salvage yard with mainly late model vehicles, which should have some of those seats already pulled out and on a shelf for purchase. Take pictures and measure. I suspect that most will have lots of power adjustments, too.

Happy shopping!
CBODY67
I’m sure you’re right about the later model being a bit narrower than vintage buckets. Might depend on the donor vehicle?

This is why I’m thinking about late model Challengers since they’re big cars to begin with (actually a bit larger than the original ones, I think). I used to work with a fellow who owns a late model R/T. He was a very tall, big guy, and said his Challenger seats were comfortable. I’ll have to measure the mounting holes on the New Yorker for reference against mounting brackets. Then go to a salvage place and see what’s available. Cheers!
 
The Impala headrests aren't quite as goofy as some of them. I think the one I had was an '08. The twin posts have made me wonder if you could incorporate a 68-70 style Mopar headrest.

View attachment 398291
Not as goofy, but still really big. Enough that I have to sort of look around them while I’m backing up. But, I’m sure they weren’t made that large just for the sake of style. I’d prefer one that’s lower profile, but we’ll have to see what’s available.
 
So perhaps a more modern, later model seat, but upholstered to have a closer appearance to a vintage seat? That’s a really interesting suggestion, and something else I never thought of.
I you do it just right it’s an invisible classy upgrade.
 
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