FE Power Forums

FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: winr1 on March 04, 2019, 10:19:25 PM

Title: Lightweight bench seat
Post by: winr1 on March 04, 2019, 10:19:25 PM

Think I may build a bench seat for my 65 F100

I could go as wide as 64" on the bottom and 60.5 on the back

A bit wider that the factory seat
......................

Guy on the HAMB builds bench seats with springs and foam or just foam

Thin wood bottom and back
He uses 5 or so layers of foam starting with real dense, getting softer as it goes up
......................................

One Hamber used some sort of thin wood with rounded squares cut in it and used straps

................

I redid my 2 story house with LP 3/16" siding, this stuff is strong and light

Thought perhaps I could use the bottom frame of the factory seat as a template

Build the foam up to match the width and height of the top frame, do the back as well

Put 3 legs on the front, 3 legs on the back bolted to the floor

Want to look kind of factory but shed some weight, factory seat is real heavy



Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated


Have the truck down to 3750 with full tank of gas,

Bought the truck when it was 10 years old and drove it daily until a couple of years ago

Now I want to play with it on weekend cruise ins and car shows and such



Ricky.

Title: Re: Lightweight bench seat
Post by: HarleyJack17 on March 05, 2019, 03:42:07 PM

I don't remember the seat in my 75 being that heavy....wonder if there is a big difference? Not sure on the pre 1973 ones but Ford seats would interchange I know from 1973 up into I believe the 90's. That may be something to look at unless they are about even on the weight.

Good weight savings may come from hood, fenders, tailgate, possibly converting to disc brake(maybe). Just depends on how light you want to go, think going light is as pricey as making more power sometimes.

Title: Re: Lightweight bench seat
Post by: FElony on March 05, 2019, 04:35:59 PM

I'm fairly certain a factory bench weighs less than two buckets from the same car. Lots of benches from Torinos and Rancheros floating around, which might be narrower than truck and lighter, and will have upholstery kits available.

Title: Re: Lightweight bench seat
Post by: AlanCasida on March 06, 2019, 11:12:35 PM

Not sure it's any lighter but I adapted the back seat out of a 2000 Super Duty crew cab into my '67 F250. It's pretty comfortable and doesn't stick up above the rear glass. I adapted it to my stock seat frame.

Title: Re: Lightweight bench seat
Post by: e philpott on March 07, 2019, 10:44:36 AM

The bench seat from 63-64 Fairlanes are very light weight if they would work for your vehicle

Title: Re: Lightweight bench seat
Post by: winr1 on March 08, 2019, 01:56:34 PM

Thanks much guys :-)




Ricky.