45 Seat change info needed

[love2fly]

I have the stock 40 series bucket seats in the 45, but after a three hour drive in the back country it may be time to start looking at a more butt comfy change in seats. I was looking at some seats on the old Ebay for references going by the name off Vision Technology just wondering if anyone have installed these types seats or better in the 45.
I am of course concerned about the comfort but also the seat back height for installation as the 45 does not have much in the way of cab room due to the cab center league. Being 6 foot 1", I need to have some leg space and a bit of the seat angled back instead of it almost being in a vertical position. Seat names and photos definitely welcome.
Thanks

 

[45Kevin]

I have a small pad on my stock seat. It lifts me up a bit and gives me a more movement in my legs. I am about 5"11. I also added an extra 1" of foam to the seat when i reupholstered.

I got the idea from Landcrusher909 (Rob, 6'+), who has logged many long days in his 45 traipzing about the country.

Sorry, but I have no experience with non-stock seat options.

 

[woytovich]

I replaced the seats on my 40 and my 60 with junkyard seats (Scion xB and a Subaru Forester). I had to spend some time modifying them to sit low enough so that my head wasn't hitting the roof!

mark

 

[love2fly]

Seats

Kevin, the stock seats properly could use some extra foam padding so I will try out my aircraft seat pad I use when flying, maybe this will do the trick. Mark you must be tall if your head comes close to the roof. If the butt pad is a wash out on my next trip (this weekend) I will do as you did and go junkyarding around town. My wife has a Newer VW Beetle, and the seats are some of the best so I will maybe include that vehicle into my search (or bag hers).
Thanks for the info.

 

[SOOT]

I have been thinking about this in the back of my mind for a while but I shouldn't be thinking of seats as I am nowhere near putting seats in mine. Hopefully you find some nice new seats that are fitted with the same quick fold down back support lever thingy as is fitted now, can't beat quick access behind the seats.

Maybe you could get your stock cruiser seats redone/improved by a reupholstery shop, turn them into more of a bucket seat like the pictures above and still keep it stockish.

 

[love2fly]

Found a set of new seats at a auto parts store that look identical to the ones pictured. I had my passenger seat out of the 45 for just in case I came across any seats in my search. They were good enough to let me take a seat to the 45 for fitting and sizing. Of course the seat rails from the stock will need to be used on the new seats but the conversion looked basic with a few mods to adapt.
The seat sits well in place but its back is much taller and filled the rear window to the top of the glass when in place. When sitting in the seat it acutely give you a confined feeling around the shoulders and the side of your legs, but that's a racing seat style. The seat its self if very comfortable. It can be set to a slight reclined setting but is limited due to the cab's back, but okay. The 45s floor seat belt stand will need an extension as the seat sides are wrap around type and much higher making it difficult to use the plug-in for the seat belt. Also if you have a center console as I do it most likely will need to be removed for the seats to be used. My conclusion is 45-55 in favor of the stock. I like the seats for the comfort and the high backs with the built in headrests and the seat visibility when seated. Don't like the wrap around feeling, like I'm wedged in a seat, hard to explain. Don't like having to mode the seat belt stands on the floor and most of all I don't want to loose my center console that I made. So guys long story but hope it sheds some light on the 45 seat thing when possibly using this type of seat replacement, but I am leaning towards the rebuilding of the stock seats versus the shown type. Now I am still looking in the junk yards so maybe I will still find a compromise.

 

[love2fly]

Update

After a full day of off road driving in the high desert this last weekend and using that seat pad I use in a aircraft the conclusion is the stock driver seat will work with new foam installed. With the pad it still felt a bit off form sitting in a comfy seat but I am sure once the seat is redone it will be fine. Kevin's way seems the best as is may save some cash and seat modification time.
Thanks for the input. I had another question but I will put that in an new thread.
BTW the old 45 did outstanding on the second test run.


My partner in crime

 

[45Kevin]

Nice to see the old beast getting some use.

I am constantly amazed at how tight my 35 year old truck is on gravely and washboard type roads.

Good to see your wife/girlfriend/whatever is also enjoying your hobby. My wife always complains about the lack of hand holds for a passanger.

 

[jfz80]

You may want to message cirbo on here

He put that style seat in an stock cab and was able to keep his center console. Think he ended up with 4 pt belts, maybe just lap belts, but might be worth asking the brand. IIRC they were a model of Recaro. What was nice was the bolstering on the sides wasnt so tall/deep that it made entering/exiting a pain.

Only pic I have of the inside. HTH

 

[love2fly]

Yeah, I'm glad I used some new bolts when putting it back together, seems to hold up on the nasty washboard roads (25-30 mph) without a lot of banging or squeaking.
Sorry that's the boss, my wife, and yes she too needs a hand hold to climb in but she loves the grate outdoors so she is without any complaints.
Thanks for the seat info.

 

[love2fly]

The sides of the one seat were pretty wide and tall making me believe the use of my center console would have to go and the seat belt stands will be to short to reach. I pretty much have conclude that the stock seat would benefit from some new foam. I still may change my mind with info and ideas such as this one. Looks pretty nice. My PM him with questions.
Thanks

 

[RustyNailJustin]

I set a set of the lowback suspension seats in one of my 45s and they will fit awesome and help with the leg room. If you decide to try a differen route.

http://www.prpseats.com/Products/13-premier-low-back.aspx

 

[Tancruiser]

I put a pair of seats out of an xterra in mine you sit a little taller bit you get used to it and the comfort level compared to stock is well worth it.

 

[love2fly]

Excellent, more good stuff to check. The low back are sweet.