Bucket Seat Swap - Help!!!

[ivabiggn]

I am trying to make the switch from bench to bucket seats in my 1973 Duster. The seats that I have are from a 1972 duster and when the sliders are installed the bolt hole locations are 12" on the sides and 14 5/8" across the cushions. I have removed the bench seat and before drilling I have laid the cushion with tracks into location. It looks as though, if I use the bench seat holes (on the hump) and drill additional holes 14 5/8" away, that the seat may not be centered on the steering wheel. I have purchased and will tack the stiffening plates to the floor in their nest. But am I missing something? Should the seat cushion be centered on the steering wheel? Please help if you can. Thanks

 

[70dart]

The location of the holes for the inner seat track should be indented on the floor.

 

[mikey parts]

you dont use the holes on the hump
there are four indentaions on the inside of the hump
you have to weld reinforment plates over these holes
mike

 

[ivabiggn]

OK. I have found one of the "dents" the others are very difficult to locate in the positions where I need them.
The two outside dents - closest to the doors, I believe these should go through the bracket under the car to re-inforce the outside bolts. Then the stiffener plates must be welded in the "nests" provided to re-inforce the two inside (toward the hump) bolts - I think I have it now. Is there anything else I need to watch out for? I bought some 1/2" galvanized washers to shim the seat, once I get that far. Any good ideas to plug the old bolt holes?

Thanks for your help!

 

[mikey parts]

galvanized cup plugs at lowes for electical use
can be used with body sealer
also some vender sell bucket seat spacers they say they are for b bodys
but they are the same
also get the nuts they are special with serated edges

 

[70Duster440]

This shows the location on the passenger side of a '70. If you drill in the outboard location, they're already reinforced from the factory. The inboard holes should be reinforced.

 

[dartkid68]

when swapping to buckets do you need to make washers or a plate or can you just drill the dimples and bolt your new seats in? what will happend if you dont have the plates or washers?

 

[momoparman]

When you slam on your brakes you and your seat will fly out of the windshield......

Unless your using your safety belts.....then you'll be fine.

No seriously...you need some reinforcement there. In this pic you can see the square plates the factory uses. You can make them out of anything really just as long as it adds some beef to the area.

Good luck.

 

[ssba]

My 67 factory bucket seat car only has the stiffener plates welded
to the floor on the inboard holes closest to driveshaft tunnel. They are
welded on the inside of car not under floor pan.
The outboard holes closest to the rocker panels have a brace under
the floor already so no metal needs to be added there.
They used a rubber cup type plug to seal up the bench seat holes.

 

[momoparman]

X2.

There are 4 backing plates and they are welded to the inside next to the tunnel....2 on each side as shown.

Good luck.