I worked a bit over the weekend on getting the frame built for my 2nd gen 40/20/40 seat.



With me being 6'8" and 275lbs I wanted the seat as low as possible and set back to give me lots of leg room. I have read almost every thread I could find here on the DTR related to this subject, and decided, especially after I got my seat, that I wasn't going to use the factory 2nd gen seat tracks and brackets.

So I spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Eventually I decide that I would do away with the dual tracks and make a solid bench seat style set-up. I also decided that I wanted to use that factory bench seat tracks.

I then took all the measurements from the 2nd gen seat, pulled the stock bench out, but took tons of measurement, and then spent some time with a pen and paper drawing up several different ideas on how to attack the situation.

I decide that I would build the frame out of 1" square tubing, 1/8th wall, but wasn't sure exactly how things would work out in real life, since ideas and drawing can't always predict everything. So I came to the decision that I would build the frame, initially, from wood since it's cheap and easy to work with. So out came the table saw, and some 2x2's I had around, and I ripped me a bunch of 1"x1" wood. I then started cutting and then used my finishing nailer to piece it all together.

So after a few hours I think I have a final design, I had to modify it several times from my original drawings and ideas, the tranny tunnel for the transfer case posed the biggest problem.

Here are some current pics of the project....







Now I just need to build it from steel. Will update when I get it built and the new seat installed.

 

sweet. looks like a basic model 98-02 seat? pretty werid to see.

 

Believe it or not, I am going to be doing the same thing with the same style seats here very soon.

Looks like your gaining on it, and I'll bet its going to be worth it in the end too.

 

Looks like a real good thought out plan.

i really wanted to put 2nd gen seats in my truck but after driving my brothers 98 for 12 hours i decided that my factory bench seat is a lot more comfortable for me than the 2nd gen seat. When i know i am going on long trips with my truck i now just bring a long my lunch box cooler and put a pillow on top of it for an arm rest. Plush i have a place to store cold drinks. The center console would be nice though.

 

I'd really love to put a 2nd gen seat in mine too. Nice work so far. I may review this thread if/when the time comes to put a newer seat in mine. I assume, once the framework is complete, the seats will then bolt straight to it?

 

Yup the 2nd gen seats are all flat on the bottom, so it will bolt down nicely once the frame is done. The only thing I will have alter is for the rear mounts for the center console/seat. Since the tranny hump is in the way I will have to drill 2 new holes mid way on the seat/console frame and then bolt it down, the front attaching points will be fine though.

 

If ya take the measurements as you go and post pics, maybe they would make this a sticky.

 

Put a second gen seats in mine last year and I,m taking them outgoing to find something out of a chev or ford. Not comfortable at all

 

just a thought for seats i made the same thing you did by using the stock mounts from 2 bench seats i had around and then build a base for the 2 bucket's that i puled out of an 06 jeep liberty i think it was a liberty but they are power every thing and they keep you in the seat really nice. very good seats but im gonna pull them out and put a bench seat back in since i found a very nice one out of a ford f250.

shane

 

yea 98-02 2nd gen seats really aren't comfortable

the 94-97 seats are pretty comfy though

 

does the 3rd gen seats have the cup holders in the center console? I can't remember. thats what I would like is a center console with cup holders.

 

None of them have cup holders in the center console. Unless you're referring to the console on the floor . Geno's sells inserts for the 2nd and 3rd gen center consoles for around $30. That's what I would do.

 

Am I THAT old or just sentimental ???

I want a bench seat so my girl ( or wife ) can sit next to me and I can throw my arm around and HOLD her instead of looking at her sitting 5 feet away on the other side of the truck .......

It does make shifting a challenge with her legs in the way but hey hey hey every once in a while you have just HAVE to let your hand slip going into 4th

 

Yea unixcowboy I know what you mean lol and your not old cause I'm eighteen and I like having my fiance riding next to me or she can lay down and sleep on really long drives. But a real center console would be nice

 

and 2nd, and reverse for 5-speeders and 6th (for me anyway).