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narrow bench seats that recline - list all in one post

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Boones, Jan 3, 2005.

  1. Boones
    Joined: Mar 4, 2001
    Posts: 9,691

    Boones
    Member
    from Kent, Wa
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    I know this comes up from time to time, so lets do one post to list all the narrow bench seats that recline so it in one place (maybe put it in the Tech section for future reference - good salvage yard info). Try to list make and year of vehicle it came out of ..So what are you using.
     
  2. DuckusCrapus
    Joined: Jun 24, 2004
    Posts: 491

    DuckusCrapus
    Member

    I have heard from several guys that the very rear seat out of Dodge Caravans fit nicley in Model A and T Coupes. I am actually looking for one, and if I find it I will give you the demensions.


    DuckusCrapus
     
  3. jalopy43
    Joined: Jan 12, 2002
    Posts: 3,085

    jalopy43
    Member Emeritus

    It's the Middle seat of the Caravan's that fit A's and T's(most models). I used the rear seat of a caravan, but had to take 5" out of the middle,to make it fit an A sedan. Some middle seats have a kid's flip-down booster seat built in,which I don't care for. The rear seat I got, folds down,towards the front. With a little work,you can make it recline, to the rear. Sparky
     

    Attached Files:

  4. 85?-93? Isuzu Trooper rear seats. You need to rob the mounts off the body, the seat has a center mounted latch handle. THese seats flip forward and fold up. The bases are only about 5" thick and the back 4" thick. I have ridden 2-300 miles at a time on one. I think they could be improved by addin some modern higher density foam to the ASS area.
     

  5. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    I'm about to head off to work, but there was a very good/comprehensive post on seat widths about 1.5-2yrs ago - might want to search for it...

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Rusty
    Joined: Mar 4, 2004
    Posts: 9,473

    Rusty
    Member

    Dodge Caravan, Chevy Astro, Ford Aerostar, Mazda MPV, Jeep Cherokee. Take your pick there all about the same size on the bench seat. Some are in the middle and some are in the back. You just have to see the vans together. I am gonna use the middle seat out of Caravan 1980's to early 90's
     
  7. james
    Joined: May 18, 2001
    Posts: 1,064

    james
    Member

    My 94 nissan quest middle seat is 42" wide, folds flat, reclines, and even has a plastic tray with cup holders on the backside of the back, so when it folds down it's a table. It's the same as a mercury villager
     
  8. overspray
    Joined: Jan 14, 2003
    Posts: 1,417

    overspray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    85-6 Dodge Colt Vista van rear (3rd) seat.
    38 inches wide-21 inches deep.
    integral retractable belts (center)
    earlier ones don't have headrests
    thin cushions and backrests
    I used modified 80's Chev PU seat tracks on this one
    splitback reclines and folds on cushion [​IMG] [​IMG]
    31rodder has one in his A coupe also
    I just scored the last one in my local wrecking yard for another friend's A coupe
    Just needs the mexiblanket slip-on covers and she's ready!
    overspray
     
  9. dixiedog
    Joined: Mar 20, 2002
    Posts: 1,204

    dixiedog
    Member

    How about a Rambler front seat? May have to cut out the center section
     
  10. Boones
    Joined: Mar 4, 2001
    Posts: 9,691

    Boones
    Member
    from Kent, Wa
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    bttt for more input...
     
  11. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

  12. Boones
    Joined: Mar 4, 2001
    Posts: 9,691

    Boones
    Member
    from Kent, Wa
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    I just bought a 97 Caravan middle seat today. Its 40 - 41" wide, 24" from bottom to top and will folds forward (flat like a table) or reclines as far as you want. It has great padding and cool quick release (from the floor) that I may try to incorporate to allow quick removal for access to the rear.


    Summary of Bench Seat Info (plus some other info)


    By zonkola:
    Someone asks about a good junkyard bench seat for an old Ford about every month or so. I was in a couple of junkyards with a tape measure today, so I figured I'd kick off a post with some seat dimensions. If ya'll can add to this - I didn't find a Jeep Wrangler back seat to measure, for example - maybe it'd be a good candidate for tech-o-matic enshrinement. Dig?

    Multiple years are usually similar for each vehicle - I just captured dimensions for the model year I found. All measurements are ballpark (climbing into greasy cars balanced precariously on steel wheels and whipping out a tape measure is not an exact science) and taken at the widest point. Anyway:

    '87-'89 Ford Escort rear seat
    Seat back width = 42"
    Seat bottom width = 42"
    Seat back thickness = 3.5"
    (seat back folds forward)

    '90 Dodge Caravan, middle seat?
    Seat back width = 44.5"
    Seat bottom width = 44.5"
    Seat back thickness = 4.5"

    '80s Isuzu Trooper
    Seat back width = 48"
    Seat bottom width = 48"
    Seat back thickness = 3.5"

    '84 Ford Ranger
    Seat back width = 49"
    Seat bottom width = 49"
    Seat back thickness = 3.5"

    '84 Toyota van middle seat
    Seat back width = 34"
    Seat bottom width = 36"
    Seat back thickness = 4.5"

    '91 Ford Festiva
    Seat back width = 38"
    Seat bottom width = 48" (odd shape is fitted to wheel wells)
    Seat back thickness = 3.5"

    '89 Ford Aerostar middle seat
    Seat back width = 39"
    Seat bottom width = 46" (odd shape)
    Seat back thickness = 4.5"

    I also checked out some Chevy/Geo/Sprint/whatever stuff. The seat backs are comparable to the Ford escort, but the seat bottoms have exaggerated curves around the wheel wells that would likely require modification of the frame - at which point taking a vertical section out of a Ford Ranger bench would probably be easier...


    By bdrake:
    I just picked up a early model S10 bench seat so here are the measurements, all done at the widest points.

    '91 Chevy S10 pickup bench seat
    Seat back width = 48"
    Seat back width = 5.5"
    Seat bottom width = 49.75"
    Seat bottom thickness = 6"
    The seat would bolt to a flat floor, with the frame the bottom cushon at highest point looks to be 9.5" high. Bottom cushon has two holes for seatbelts to pass through.


    By flat ernie:
    OK - Wrangler stuff (pretty small - maybe good for Model A)

    Seat Back Width - 32.5"
    Seat Back Height - 15.5" (from hinge)
    Seat Back Thickness - 5"
    Seat Bottom Width - 33.5"
    Seat Bottom Thickness - 5" (at bolster)
    Seat Bottom Depth - 15.5" (front to back)


    By donotdelete:
    suzuki samurai rear seat dimensions

    seat width 34"
    seat back height 17" (from hinge)
    ass cushion thing length (from hinge) 16"

    sorry, but i didn't get the seat thickness... judging by the smell and other clues, i think something is living in the truck and i had to crawl over the engine with no shirt on with mosquitos everywhere to get the dimensions. ugh. and that's not even mentioning tracking through the bush to get to the truck... that was the worst part. sorry about the rant, but if it really matters to one of you HAMB folks i can go back out and get the thickness. i'll go put a shirt on this time if you like.

    anyway, back folds forward. seat is fully removable. heck, i should keep the back seat just in case before i give the truck away!

    By curly:
    Ressurecting an old topic:
    Found one that mounts to the floor in a severely channeled 26-27 T ....90's Isuzu Amigo back seat.
    SEAT BACK 39"x21"x3"
    SEAT BOTTOM 39"x20.5"x8"
    Seat folds forward and the "folded seat" folds forward again! Has headrest but I'm yankin' mine out and recovering ala Mexican Blanket

    By Dan:
    I pulled the front seat out of a maverick and put it in my '49 ford, dont know the measurments right now but it fits it pretty good-
     
  13. Vance
    Joined: Jan 3, 2005
    Posts: 2,135

    Vance
    Member
    from N/A

    Back to the top in case anyone else needs if like I just did...

    Copy and save this stuff!!! It's GOLD!

    Vance
     
  14. Amazingly helpful post by Boones and Zonkola.

    Also...keep in mind that a lot of late model full-size SUVs utilize a 2nd row 60/40 split bench and many do recline...in some cases the 60% side may be just the ticket for a narrow bench that can seat two in a pinch.Some even slide fore and aft like new Toyota Highlander/Lexus RX330...and that can really come in handy to get to perfect fit, especially if you have multiple drivers of differing heights...of course, finding these later model vehicles in salvage yards is not as likely as earlier models, but keep your eyes peeled...

    Also the same holds true for full-size SUV and Minivan 3rd row seats, although they are less likely to recline...
     
  15. plym_46
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 4,018

    plym_46
    Member
    from central NY

    On the subject but for roadsters, the rear seats from Saabs and Volvo convertible make nice seats. They are narrow and curved in the corners. Very comfortable and usually leather.
     
  16. Dreddybear
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 6,084

    Dreddybear
    Member

    Late eighties toyota minivans had hell of a middle row seat. Yank the recline handle and the damn thing would put you flat on your back. They were pretty narrow too.
     
  17. Bring this back up,
    Any one ever recover the caravan middle row seats, I'd like to se what some look like.
    thanks
     
  18. hhatton
    Joined: Dec 21, 2008
    Posts: 35

    hhatton
    Member

    92 s-10 p-up cut out 7" and welded back together, mounted in a 32 roadster. Folds forward and slides back and forth all on s-10 seat .
     

    Attached Files:

  19. Maybe I should have been more specific, I'm talking tuck and roll, diamond pleat, something along those lines.
    Thanks
     
  20. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,418

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage

    theres a HAMB vendor that does re-upholstery covers..I talked to him last week , hes got covers for these seats..I have the same one you got , going in as my back seat..seems that he can make covers for what ever you got..he's worth the phone call Gary
    I'll go look him up and link it

    http://www.rodinteriors.com/

    EZboy..is what he calls him self in the vendors list..check him out

    the dude was cool and reasonable
     
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2009
  21. Elrusto
    Joined: Apr 3, 2003
    Posts: 1,285

    Elrusto
    Member

    Hey Gary I'll see if I can find a pic of the seat in my old 39 pickup. It was a Caravan middle seat that I had covered in dark red vinyl with 2" pleats. REAL comfy seat.
     
    clem likes this.
  22. Elrusto
    Joined: Apr 3, 2003
    Posts: 1,285

    Elrusto
    Member

  23. JGRAFF
    Joined: Jun 4, 2009
    Posts: 184

    JGRAFF
    Member

    here is my s-10 seat in my old '40 ford pick up. it was about 4 or 5 inches too wide. but it was all in the foam that hangs a little wider than the seat frame. so it just ment you had to slam the doors, slightly. as you can see the car was not painted and had no door panels, but if it did i would have narrowed it or not used it at all. really nice shape and comfy seat!!!
     

    Attached Files:

  24. Thanks man, that looks pretty good. kinda what I have in mind.


     
  25. Dirk35
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 2,067

    Dirk35
    Member

  26. sugarlou
    Joined: May 26, 2007
    Posts: 120

    sugarlou
    Member

    Just made this work...Dodge caravan 3rd row bench in a '44 Chevy pickup...couldn't ask for better really ..and $50 in a [​IMG]bone yard
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2010
  27. Rochie
    Joined: Nov 19, 2004
    Posts: 199

    Rochie
    Member

    Grits,
    Here's mine in the 29 sure works great.
    [​IMG]
     
  28. ANDEREGG TRIBUTE
    Joined: Jan 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,385

    ANDEREGG TRIBUTE
    Member
    from Bordertown

    Well mine doesnt recline or fold, but here is a pic of the frame structure from a Caravan / Voyager middle seat. I had to modify the rear bottom to clear the drive shaft tunnel, and I plan on making it fold to eventually get to a tool pouch that I am going to attach to the bulkhead behind the seat. Anyway, for those that have never seen one, so you know what to expect. Fits perfectly btw, and seems decent in the comfort dept.

    [​IMG]
     
  29. Metaltwister
    Joined: Jul 10, 2007
    Posts: 891

    Metaltwister
    Member Emeritus

    Well hum what to do... Great thread...
    We are all about getting it done with wrecking yard parts if you feel comfortable with your abilitys to get it done right and safely. If ya dont want to spend the day searching the yards and burning through a tank of gas, if ya dont want to have to Micky Mouse brackets, sliders, zig zag springs, mounting points, tunnel / shifter clearences, and if ya want it to fit perfect as well as be safe....:D

    Lets face this isnt for everybody, so let us know what your looking for and you might be suprised at the actual cost savings on ordering a new seat frame specifically built for your ride?

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=615201
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2011
  30. Rags To Richs
    Joined: Dec 19, 2007
    Posts: 390

    Rags To Richs
    Member

    Great Thread..... Got to keep this handy for future projects......
     

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