It was an inside job…

Daily it seems on the social medias, that someone is asking about what seats will fit into these trucks  (1960-1966).  When, actually, ANY seat will fit if you want it to bad enough.  The original bench seat is (as far as I have found) is the ONLY seat that is going to bolt in into the original floor pan holes.

I feel that if you can weld, you have more options by modifying seat bases, but there are MANY that will bolt in by just drilling new holes in the floor pan.

Early 2000s Silverado seats with integrated seat belts. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

I  wanted bucket seats.  I wanted seatbelts, So I chose early 2000’s Silverado seats with integrated seatbelts.  However, integrated seatbelts won’t do what they are intended to do if the seats are not mounted sufficiently.

To make install/removal easier, I drilled appropriate holes in the floor pan and welded in High grade bolts with backside washers.  Basically creating studs to set the seat frame mounts on when installing,

Silverado seats installed. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.
4.2 amp USB hidden in console. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

The high hump where the shoulder belt is located will hit the rounded cab corners if the seat is not adjusted far enough forward, making these seats and uncomfortable fit for “Big and Tall” persons.    I chose not to use the complimenting console/jumpseat from the truck.  I wanted to install the seats inward a little more, to partially compensate for interference of the shoulder belt location with  the rounded cab corners and This would mean some re-engineering of the console/jumpseat bracket.  More than I wanted to do.  I had another console, I believe from a Tahoe, so I painted and installed it instead.  Since I had fused power installed to the driver seat, I also installed a USB port inside the console.

ACC carpet. See previous post.

The dash was already cut for a single DIN receiver, so I chose a suitable FM/media player.  See previous post.

Head unit power to 6x9s in wedge boxes behind the seats and a flat,  powered subwoofer provide all the tune power this old man will ever need when jammin’ to the oldies.

A/C install. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

As I eluded to being old,  air conditioning is important.  I didn’t want to experience the cost of an after market A/C system,  so to keep with the theme of vintage-modern,  I simply installed an old 12v fan I had laying around from my Skoolie build.  Viola, A/C!

 

 

I covered the Grant wheel with leather. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

 

The original steering column was damaged beyond repair and needed replacement  I got a 1967 C10 column from a local friend.  Installed a leather cover on a classic Grant 415 Challenger wheel and replaced a missing shifter with a Stanley screwdriver handle.

 

 

Refurbished OEM cluster. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

 

I cleaned and renewed the original dash cluster, and then decided to replace with new Marshall gauges when I swapped in the third-gen small block.

 

Finished and installed gauge cluster with Marshal Comp 2 LED gauges. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

 

Original seat. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.
Original seat. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinterest
fb-share-icon