Hot Rods Dodge Caravan seat for Model A rpu ?

hi guys, Looks for seat recommendations for my 28 Model A rpu.
Someone on here a while back suggested Dodge Caravan was a good fit ?
Anyone have an other suggestions ? Or alternatively what Model / year Dodge Caravan.
I looked at Glide but don’t like the large gap on either side of the seat.
Please note: I am Australia so I can’t race down to the wreckers to look at the Dodge seats as that vehicle wasn’t sold here, I will need to source from the US.
Any ideas much appreciated

 

No need to source from "across the pond".... It's only measurements. =Width and Height. Gotta be something "there" that is close to your liking. BTW- there's a thread on A seats, but I like to think some of us are a creative bunch, so= grab your tape, write down some #'s, THEN go hunting...... Report back with your findings.
And- It can be out of whatever....... As long as it fits, and your diggin' it.

 

It's the middle seat of a caravan from about 2000-02. It's about 40" across, anything that size would work. You'll have to make a mount for it.

 

Head down to the wreckers and look for a late nineties/ early Chrysler Voyager, the were sold here in oz and some models run a seven seat configuration that includes the two seat middle row so popular in the states. They come out of the car super easy.

I have on here now Melbourne and the local pick a part has a few more of that type of van. Some models had two buckets as the middle row though.

I have in the past cut and shut an 1980 hilux bench for an A model

I once trimmed an old hot rod where a guy had used a Morris major seat for his A I think that was cut and shut too thoug.

 

Thanks Kid, Have done a few wrecker trips and didn’t really find anything suitable. Hard pressed to even find a bench seat........ will keep hunting....cheers

 

Cheers Garth, Thanks

 

I'd have to agree 100% with Invisiblekid, get your measurements, make a mental note of what you like or don't like and off to the wrecking yards tape measure in hand. The seats on most rigs were reasonably flat without a lot of extra puffiness up into the early 90's. Maybe the back seat out of some SUV or what Sports utility vehicles are called there would work. Some of those are reasonably narrow and should have a framework that can be modified.

We had a Grand Caravan for years and the middle seat was probably close to what you would want. I never measured it but it was a two butt seat. Usually my dog rode on it as that was his spot in the van. The best thing was they pop out without tools to speak of and the pipe legs could be cut down or cut off real easy.
Scroll down though this old thread on the subject of donor seats. There are a couple that may be readily available in your area https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/junkyard-seat-dimensions.260/

 

Fits nice in my coupe n i


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Looks good Dino

Thanks

 

Btw, the mounts unbolt leaving a threaded plate to build from. The little handle to flip down the back has to be cut.


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I have a Caravan seat in my '27 Coupe. They are just the right size. Instead of fabbing up a seat frame, I used a rear jeep seat frame. It got me 4" off of the floor. I had to make some minor modifications to the frame such as drilling holes to bolt to the seat and sliders using the existing bolt holes of the seat.

Yes, that is an Ole's tape measure on the seat.

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They're $45 at a yard about a mile from my house. I bought one last week.

 

A Caravan seat is WAY to big for an"A" rdstr pu. Make a plywood and foam one sitting on the stock seat riser, with a very thin (foam) seat back. Trust me!
Make sure to use good (expensive) and somewhat firm commercial grade foam.

 

What A Boner said. I used 2 pieces of plywood and the not so expensive foam( next seat will be with expensive foam) I wrapped it with vinyl and its perfect as there isn't a ton of room to begin with

 

Question about any of these Caravan/Voyager middle seats...Does the rear cushion fold forward to allow access behind the seat ??

 

Yes, there is a small handle on the passenger side which needs to be modified so it does not stick out as far, easy fix

 

Curious. Do the rear seats from Jeep CJ/Wrangler work in A's or T's? Never noticed them used, but they appear to be close in width.

 

Yes they do. I looked at them my self but just didn't like the cushion on them.

 

Some do and some don't. Mine doesn't. They do on the newer models. My Voyager was 1991.

 

Old thread, or somewhat, but findings/info....... So- Weighed the stocker=clean pick out of a Caravan, and have been sitting on it for a few years(stash). 2nd row, has the handle on the right side......Same seat as pictured previously....... Sucker comes in at 70lbs....... This is without the seat brackets to the floor. So fab is in order. But- I would like to put this thing on a diet somewhat...... Meaning a full strip, and cutting away a few odd's and end's. Measurements are close=height and width....that I can live with.
Not really concerned about the back flipping forward, as the bulkhead/panel will be the backstop.....=roadster.
Might fuse it into one solid piece, with proper angle, and call it done.... IDK.......
Contemplating going back to the A's roots, and building a wooden frame/surround, and dumping cushions into it.........I have access to such, which is no biggee, but just sticking a big weight+ plus added weight , isn't looking too good at this point..... angles/risers/mounting points/ etc......I have options, but this seat, even though it fit's somewhat, is a heavy girl, and I have to add more to her..... I don't need/ want a 80+ pound seat. Just visiting this area now with the build, and am finding I can do it lighter, more user friendly, and less work or compromising my time......Sometimes the "Good Fit" requires a lil more time and $ than expected.......
Just thoughts is all......... No right or wrong here........ My time will be what it is- But serviceability is where I stand, and not lugging a dead weight........ Thoughts?

 

Down here a Mazda people mover fits, I have one it fits ( just before someone says it doesnt/won’t). If you want I can search for the model/year but I got the info off a thread here originally.
Edit: 1990 MPV second row seat

 

I'll look into it- Thanks, as I've searched all the common A seat threads......Fab is a given. But- I have cushions plentiful I can manipulate to size..... I just cant see it going that heavy, and weight is mass/hp/etc.... I guess I'm just bitching about how much it weighs.........If I was to shed 20, I'de be ok.......More would be better......I can fab, but just the time required...... and my time is worth zero on my own stuff........

 

Used an escort station wagon back seat as a seat in my 40 Willys P/U.

Gary

 

70 lbs really isn't that heavy for a bench seat unless you have to be real weight conscious in the car for some reason or another.
The fold down might let you build some reasonably secure storage behind the seat for things that would normally be inside the car. Storage doesn't have to be big it just needs to hold a camera, purse, gps or other item you don't want to leave in sight.