MALIBU Make seats fold?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Gwarren79

G-Body Guru
Oct 29, 2018
711
1,547
93
Safford, AZ
how to make non-folding seats fold 1981 malibu
I have a set of 50/50 wagon seats (front) that are non-folding. I want to use them in another project (truck) and was wondering how do I make them fold?
 

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
5,546
6,671
113
Permanent Temporary
You need to swap the fixed brackets to pivoting/latching mechanisms from a folding pair of seats. Good candidates are S10s.

 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

78Delta88

Royal Smart Person
Supporting Member
May 23, 2022
1,285
1
1,076
113
SW Arizona
A while back I purchased a Tahoe involved in roll over. Blue cloth buckets, electric seats. Put in a 57 pickup rat rod project of customer. Everything was all self contained just needed to hook up power, then seatbelts. Everything worked out fine. Over 2 tons force in a head on, so make sure you use 3/8 or 7/16 grade 8 as mounting.

I think I used metric 12mm with red Locktite. I backed up the under mounting with 1/8 steel plates to add strength to floor pan. The last thing I would want would be to have the bolts pulled through the floor pan if or when a collision every would happen.

Many many years ago I was an EMT, the driver was killed because his son was behind him not wearing seat belt. Had same type of seat you describe in a full size car. The son was a good size kid of HS age and he hit the back of the bench seat, bent it and crushed his father between seat and steering wheel.

The dad was wearing seat belt and it locked and because the seat bent forward, was never designed to pivot, he couldn't move and couldn't breathe. By the time we arrived he suffocated and we tried CPR but unsuccessfully.

Just be very very careful with seat changes.
 

Gwarren79

G-Body Guru
Oct 29, 2018
711
1,547
93
Safford, AZ
I plan on using the lock function, the seats are in good condition and look similar to these, just no folding arms.

1655862003765.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

ck80

Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2014
5,745
9,123
113
For what it's worth some 60/40 bench seats on regals had a manual lever on the pass side that enabled folding but otherwise were locked in place.

I know I had one in a base 1986 coupe. Not sure if you could find a service manual that addressed what GM did, but, I'm sure you could adapt that, it's probably fairly simple.
 

78Delta88

Royal Smart Person
Supporting Member
May 23, 2022
1,285
1
1,076
113
SW Arizona

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20220622-024332.png
    Screenshot_20220622-024332.png
    317.1 KB · Views: 98

78Delta88

Royal Smart Person
Supporting Member
May 23, 2022
1,285
1
1,076
113
SW Arizona
Don't know if these will help...?, They are in the 89 wagon.
 

Attachments

  • 20220624_081834.jpg
    20220624_081834.jpg
    666.1 KB · Views: 87
  • 20220624_081026.jpg
    20220624_081026.jpg
    564.7 KB · Views: 89
  • 20220624_080900.jpg
    20220624_080900.jpg
    494.4 KB · Views: 84
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor