I have a ’95 GMC van that I am trying to make last a few more years. I’ve had some mechanical repairs done recently and it runs fine, but after 250k miles, the seats are shot.
It’s not unusual for me to drive 60-75 minutes each way to work and I’m pretty sure if I replace the well worn driver’s seat, I could improve my quality of life, probably increase productivity and extend my working career.
Anyone have any suggestions for great seats? Maybe someone who drives for a living? Or has a vehicle designed for touring…like maybe a conversion van or motor home?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Replies
Hey Jim,
mine is a 96 GM with almost 330K on it. I KNOW about the seat issue, I drive almost 80-100 a day too.
I bought a junk van for spare parts, a conversion van, 100 bucks.
I took the rear drivers side seat almost brand new, and put it in my van.
Kinda fiddly changing the slider and pedastle bolts, but about an hour.
No more vinyl with cheap cover, now it's a nice captains chair with armrests and headrest and IT RECLINES!
Try a junk yard. Your back will love you.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
"reclining seat"? I'm thinking that could come in mighty handy for dating.
Boss Hog says it takes more work to learn the dating game again than to change the seat in your truck out.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hey now - Don't be putting words in my mouth.(Althought you're right)
Hear about the new household cleaner that just came on the market? It's called "Bachelor."
Why?
Because it works fast and leaves no ring.
It don't recline TOO far, I have shelves behind the seat along that wall. I keep my duffle right back there with winter outer clothes and a full change in case of date..LOL and rain gear.been still having back problems unrelated to the seat, I added a small pillow tied with a long sleeve shirt just behind my left shoulder blade, and an inflatable air pillow , camping type at the small of my back...the only way I can handle driving more than 15 mins.Velor is nice in winter, I hated the cold plastic. Oh, what ever you do, don't mess the extra radio under the seat..it's the computer (G)
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
Take it to a reputable upholstery shop and have it redone with reinforcement and extra foam. I grew up in an upholstery shop and we modified about every truck seat we repaired or recovered. Any stock seat is not up to par for the abuse they take. A pro, however can fix the seat to fit you. Remember, like you, he is a craftsman.
I SECOND that route to take, my guy is an artist.
Yeah, get the seat redone at an upholstery shop. If simply replacing all the padding doesn't suffice (likely it will) then you can get the springs beefed up.
Iwonder if you could get a seat from a truck shop that was built for a semi. They're obviously designed for someone to sit in for a heck of a long time and should be pretty comfortable.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, Boss. The thing I HADN'T considered was an upholstery shop rebuild. I think that's worth looking into, too. Thanks for the advice, everyone. Still open to other ideas as well.Man. I DEFINITELY ate too much yesterday.
Anyone know a good upholstery shop in the Puget Sound area?
a few years ago I replaced the front seat in a 69 chevy with scirocco seats from a scirocco V.W. , had lumbar support and heated butt warmers,my tocks were some happy tocks back then, plus the heat helped with my lower back immencely.
Other possibility is just go to a wrecking yard and try some seats in various cars.
'63 GMC has '78 Dodge leather seats with 6 way controls, the 86 S-10 has 84 6 way Buick seats. Both work well. Gott'em Cheap of course.
All the shuttle busses to rental lots at airports have a neat pneumatic seat with shock absorbers, etc. Know idea what one of those would cost or where to get one, but look pretty ergometric and take all the speed bumps out of the drivers ride.
I don't know exactly why, but I'd LOVE an ejection seat from a fighter.
An old F-4 woulda been cool for parts , ya know?I always strap in, and for some other insane reason, I'd maybe like a solid NASCAR type tub witha 5 point harness and quick release center lock.
Maybe having gone thru the windshield at 60 when I was 17 has something to do with it. A 65 Falcon Van didn't have much front end to get in the way of going over the wheel and out onto the blacktop.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
"I don't know exactly why, but I'd LOVE an ejection seat from a fighter."Just don't forget to add the sunroof.;^)soj
A sunroof would be another good dating feature.
t-tops might work better?
You really don't NEED the sunroof, I've seen one go off, it's MORE than capable of punching a seat & human size hole in the roof of your van.
Often in error but NEVER in doubt!
going over the wheel and out onto the blacktop
AHA, that explains everything, like me getting in the wrong place between a tree and dozer when 25?
They had an ejection seat from a Vietnam era F4 on the T.V. show Pawn Stars rerun the other night. Never used, still had the rockets on it. Said it was worth about $3500.00
I saw that.
I just remember the P3-A wasn't the most comfy seat I was ever parked on for hours.
I want to be cradled in a tub that is indestructible.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB
Well I have never sat in one, I was just a combat engineer in the Marine Corps. Also, you would probably get charged for leaving the scene of an accident after you ejected.
John
Don't the pneumatic seats need a compressed air supply?
Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
>>>Iwonder if you could get a seat from a truck shop that was built for a semi. I've been wondering the exact same thing. I've got an F250 that will need seats one of these years. Do you happen to know if all/most seats use the same bolt pattern?
Nope - No idea. I know less about truck seats than I know about women. O.K. - Maybe a LITTLE more than that. But not much. (-:
Everything can be filed under "miscellaneous."
There are companies that do custom interiors on brand new vehicles. The stock interiors are removed and sold. I can't remember what to google for.
>>>There are companies that do custom interiors on brand new vehicles.Thanks, but this truck is a little beyond fancy stuff, though I'm willing to fork out perhaps a few hundred for new or used seats. It's off the road now for Winter, so I'll look into it in the Spring.
The stock interiors are removed and sold.
Think you missed that maybe.
>>>The stock interiors are removed and sold.>>>Think you missed that maybe....and considering this is a '94, the stock interior isn't worth squat.
I think you still don't get it -- He's saying that if these folks are getting custom seats installed, that means that there are brand-new factory seats that are being pulled out. Those seats are out there on the junk market, waiting just for you!AitchKay
I had a similar problem with a '79 Chevy and had the original seat rebuilt to better than original firmness. One of the most comfortable rides I ever had.
Done that , got a plush seat with folding armrests from a RV parts place.
Check out E-bay I picked up a pair of new seats from a Sprinter, They were removed by a shop that did convesion vans. They even had air lumbar and leg supports also adjustable arm rests. Got them for about 180.00 each.
Brian
I had a 98' Dodge durango that had the most comfortable seats. Probably depend on personal fit, but check them out.
Duh....got it, thanks.
Although I haven't heard of such a thing out here. We live in a backwater of a backwater of a backwater... I might pull up a Captain's Chair from the bottom of the backwater some day.....
There's a conversion van company here in the Minneapolis area that does that - they pull the stock seats out of vans and trucks when they upgrade them, and then they sell the stock seats for a decent price. A friend of mine did that once with his F-100; he replaced the stock vinyl seat with a nice plush cloth one that was quite an improvement in comfort. I imagine there are other similar conversion van companies around the country doing the same thing.