BUILD THREAD Seat Change

[Sweet79]

So I have a 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix and I would like to know, does anyone know by any chance what kind of bench seat can I install? Currently it has bucket seats and I want to change them. I found some on EBay but, I really don't know if they're compatible because I have never done anything like this before. Here is a picture of what the previous owner installed. Thank you in advance, I really appreciate it.

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

This is asked by nearly every G Body owner at some point, and it's pretty straightforward for the most part. Bench seats and split bench seats have different brackets. Bucket seats and power seats are also in the mix of course, with buckets and power bases seeming to interchange without problem. They're different than the bench and split bench sets though. Switching from buckets to a bench is a cinch- you're just looking for the two outer brackets, which differ in the way that the holes are off by about an inch. The true difference is where the brackets bolt to the seat, but once bolted to the seat the problem moves to the floor, and drilling new holes isn't the right way to solve it but it's been done a lot.

I don't have any spares but I'm sure someone here has what you need and will get it to you for a price that's not nearly as bad as eBay. You can post a listing in the For Sale/Wanted section and peruse past threads on the subject while awaiting a response. People have put some really nice seats in their rides over the years and you might get some good ideas for other mods as well.


Keep your bucket seats!! (Or trade/sell 'em on the forum)

 

[Sweet79]

This is asked by nearly every G Body owner at some point, and it's pretty straightforward for the most part. Bench seats and split bench seats have different brackets. Bucket seats and power seats are also in the mix of course, with buckets and power bases seeming to interchange without problem. They're different than the bench and split bench sets though. Switching from buckets to a bench is a cinch- you're just looking for the two outer brackets, which differ in the way that the holes are off by about an inch. The true difference is where the brackets bolt to the seat, but once bolted to the seat the problem moves to the floor, and drilling new holes isn't the right way to solve it but it's been done a lot.

I don't have any spares but I'm sure someone here has what you need and will get it to you for a price that's not nearly as bad as eBay. You can post a listing in the For Sale/Wanted section and peruse past threads on the subject while awaiting a response. People have put some really nice seats in their rides over the years and you might get some good ideas for other mods as well.


Keep your bucket seats!! (Or trade/sell 'em on the forum)

Thanks I really appreciate it. Ok I'll be looking into it.

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

Thanks I really appreciate it. Ok I'll be looking into it.

Glad to help. Here's a tip for searching: use Google or Bing and just add GBodyForum to the end. Or just "forum" and it'll bring up way, way more relevant info. I love this place but there's just no competing with the giants when it comes to queries.

bucket seat swap GBodyForum - Google Search

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

Side note: I see you've selected "Build Thread" for the thread suffix- that's typically reserved for when you start telling us your car's story and showcase all your work. Guess this means you gotta get wrenchin'!

 

[Sweet79]

This is asked by nearly every G Body owner at some point, and it's pretty straightforward for the most part. Bench seats and split bench seats have different brackets. Bucket seats and power seats are also in the mix of course, with buckets and power bases seeming to interchange without problem. They're different than the bench and split bench sets though. Switching from buckets to a bench is a cinch- you're just looking for the two outer brackets, which differ in the way that the holes are off by about an inch. The true difference is where the brackets bolt to the seat, but once bolted to the seat the problem moves to the floor, and drilling new holes isn't the right way to solve it but it's been done a lot.

I don't have any spares but I'm sure someone here has what you need and will get it to you for a price that's not nearly as bad as eBay. You can post a listing in the For Sale/Wanted section and peruse past threads on the subject while awaiting a response. People have put some really nice seats in their rides over the years and you might get some good ideas for other mods as well.


Keep your bucket seats!! (Or trade/sell 'em on the forum)

So the type of seats I looking to get are these type of split bench seats https://www.ebay.com/itm/1454902712...pid=5335822911&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[565bbchevy]

So the type of seats I looking to get are these type of split bench seats https://www.ebay.com/itm/1454902712...pid=5335822911&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

I hope you are going to shop around locally to buy your split bench, that faded Ebay set with no tracks is way overpriced.
Any reason you are not looking at 60/40 seats, I feel like those are more common than a full split bench.

 

[Sweet79]

I hope you are going to shop around locally to buy your split bench, that faded Ebay set with no tracks is way overpriced.
Any reason you are not looking at 60/40 seats, I feel like those are more common than a full split bench.

Oh yeah for sure I'll be looking around, Hopefully someone in the Bay Area has one and actually that's exactly what I'm looking for 60/40s

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

So the type of seats I looking to get are these type of split bench seats https://www.ebay.com/itm/1454902712...pid=5335822911&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

Ah, the factory split bench. BCG is a decent company, although I feel their prices are too high and I've caught them selling non-G body parts as rare G parts before. I believe those cases to be honest mistakes, and the people I've dealt with are very courteous and straightforward.

The split bench/ bucket swap usually goes the other way but the facts remain the same. They both use a total of 4 brackets, and since you've got buckets I'd hope that all of the factory style mounts are present on the floor. You can use the "wrong" brackets so long as you modify them, or you can fabricate some adapters. I'm currently riding on bucket seats sitting atop my old split bench brackets and haven't gotten around to doing that yet. The seats are solid but will flex when only bolted down at 3 corners.

I removed a split bench seat that was very, very similar to the one you want, although mine isn't quite as nice. The driver's side is all tore up. I was going to hang onto it but the dream of keeping all my factory parts isn't feasible so I may have to let it go, though shipping prevents many deals from happening.

 

[Sweet79]

Ah, the factory split bench. BCG is a decent company, although I feel their prices are too high and I've caught them selling non-G body parts as rare G parts before. I believe those cases to be honest mistakes, and the people I've dealt with are very courteous and straightforward.

The split bench/ bucket swap usually goes the other way but the facts remain the same. They both use a total of 4 brackets, and since you've got buckets I'd hope that all of the factory style mounts are present on the floor. You can use the "wrong" brackets so long as you modify them, or you can fabricate some adapters. I'm currently riding on bucket seats sitting atop my old split bench brackets and haven't gotten around to doing that yet. The seats are solid but will flex when only bolted down at 3 corners.

I removed a split bench seat that was very, very similar to the one you want, although mine isn't quite as nice. The driver's side is all tore up. I was going to hang onto it but the dream of keeping all my factory parts isn't feasible so I may have to let it go, though shipping prevents many deals from happening.

Wow, Thanks that would been great it I could of bought it from you but good news! So, I found out that the guy that sold me the car is now selling the original bench and rear seats and they are the 60/40s. so I'll see if he'll sell them to me. although when I bought they car 4 months ago from him he had said at one point that he would give me everything. but when I got in an accident on my bike I couldn't get a hold of him for a while. oh well. I guess I'll buy them.