'72 front bench seat question please (2 Viewers)

[steffan]

i'm in the process of restoring the front seats and the center section with the evaporations system was all cobbled together. Does anyone have some good pictures of what the mounting is supposed to be around that center section: how it's bolted on the stands especially to the passenger section. is it supposed to pivot? Thanks

 

[Jdc1]

i'm in the process of restoring the front seats and the center section with the evaporations system was all cobbled together. Does anyone have some good pictures of what the mounting is supposed to be around that center section: how it's bolted on the stands especially to the passenger section. is it supposed to pivot? ThanksView attachment 2645547

I don’t have the ‘72 close to snap a pic. The center does not pivot, there are some shoulder bolts that allow the passenger seat back to flip down. The 72 seat is a one year only pet, they pop up occasionally for sale but finding parts for it is hard.

 

[DesertFJ40]

I use to have that set up as well. I recommend that you remove the middle section so you can have easy access to the rear rather than having to lift yourself up over the seat just to grab something out from the back. Removing the middle seat was a 100% imrovement for me, and, if you have dogs, they will enjoy it too. Mine always runs from rear to front when on a trip.

Only issue with removing the middle section Is that you now won't have the emissions system in place. Just don't fill your tank up to "full" otherwise there will be pressure build up and gasoline will leak out from the fill neck if you leave it parked for too long. I only fill it up to max if I plan on going on a long trek; otherwise, leaving a 2 gallon buffers leaves a good headspace for vapor expansion. Sorry for not having pics of how it's originally set-up, but removing the mid section was a big imrovement for me. Hope someone else can provide you with the orginal configuration.

 

[Living in the Past]

The 72 seat is a one year only pet, they pop up occasionally for sale but finding parts for it is hard.

A bunch of 71s had these as well. Possible even some 70s. Part out a 5/71 that this. Bought a seat like this from a friend 71. These are rare but not rare. Finding decent 63 and earlier seats that that the frame are still in good shape is a lot harder.

 

[Jdc1]

A bunch of 71s had these as well. Possible even some 70s. Part out a 5/71 that this. Bought a seat like this from a friend 71. These are rare but not rare. Finding decent 63 and earlier seats that that the frame are still in good shape is a lot harder.

I was just poking around on SOR and they list 9/71-9/72 for the split bench, when did the seat base change(mounting tabs)?

Lots of them are out there but not many people want to part them out.

 

[steffan]

Thanks for the info - never thought about removing it. The way the middle section is set up (with the stopper on the left side), it's almost as if it was intended to pivot forward like the rest of the seat. That being said, with all the hoses associated with the canister, it wouldn't really be feasible.
here is the 'bolt' that fixed the left side of the passenger seat to the center seat - obviously not stock (standard all thread/ nut). It appears as if it should be an 8x1.25 thread going into the center seat with a larger (12mm) dowel on the other side to interface with the passenger seat pivot hole?
I'm thinking I might have to weld something together to mimic this piece

 

[steffan]

I decided to drive on and make a pivot for the seat. one 8mm and one 12mm bolt and we have a pivot. Center drill the 12mm, press in the 8mm, a little glue to hold it together and a sleeve to keep it from binding

 

[steffan]

here's how it looks bolted together. it was definitely designed to pivot forward but as noted earlier, the hoses, hard lines and shielding, make it impossible. i kept it so that it will pivot if i ever decide to ditch the center canister. there's a bottom bolt that locks it to to the frame, preventing it from rocking forward

 

[steffan]

just for anyone keeping score, here is how the outside pivot is set up.

 

[Rigger]

Nice work!

 

[Living in the Past]

just for anyone keeping score, here is how the outside pivot is set up.

View attachment 2646569

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View attachment 2646572

I agree, nice work. This same pivot bolt broke on the seat I have. Unfortunately this is one of three seats of seats I thought about using in my FJ45. The plan was to use a driver's seat latch to allow it fold down like the other seat. Then make the back side into a console with cup holders.

 

[steffan]

Living in the Past - as of now, that's my plan. i'm thinking a little pull pin on the bottom to lock it when it's upright. i'll update as i go