69 roadrunner bucket seat install question

[scaputo3]

I am replacing my bench with buckets. I have to drill new holes in the floorpan for bolts. I am planning to use heavy gauge angle iron underneathnto secure it. Does the angle iron have to be welded to the floorpan?
thanks

 

[HT413]

IMHO, reinforcing the floor where the seat bolts to the floor is not necessary. During most collisions, the seat sees very little loading - it's the seat belt that takes the force. I suppose a massive rear end collision could tear the seats from the floor, but that would have to be some collision.

In fact, look at how the seatbelts are mounted to the floor - just threaded through a flat bit of steel maybe 3/4" X 1" or so, presumably to spread the load a bit more than a standard hex nut. It's tacked to the underside of the floor board, but I always figured it was for the convenience of not needing a second person to hold the nut while installing the seatbelts on the assembly line.

 

[vitamin c]

Instead of using heavy angle iron, and trying to weld it to the floor, why wouldn't you use the correct bucket seat support brackets? I think several places reproduce them. AMD has some.

 

[Hemirunner]

IMHO, reinforcing the floor where the seat bolts to the floor is not necessary. During most collisions, the seat sees very little loading - it's the seat belt that takes the force. I suppose a massive rear end collision could tear the seats from the floor, but that would have to be some collision.

In fact, look at how the seatbelts are mounted to the floor - just threaded through a flat bit of steel maybe 3/4" X 1" or so, presumably to spread the load a bit more than a standard hex nut. It's tacked to the underside of the floor board, but I always figured it was for the convenience of not needing a second person to hold the nut while installing the seatbelts on the assembly line.

From the factory, the bench seat has braces under the floor boards that attach to the rocker on both sides. When a bucket seat car is ordered, they added the flat, steel braces welded on top of the floor pan to reinforce those. I sure wouldn't just throw them in with no bracing. I have a set that I will be removing from my AMD floor pan soon.

 

[HT413]

From the factory, the bench seat has braces under the floor boards that attach to the rocker on both sides. When a bucket seat car is ordered, they added the flat, steel braces welded on top of the floor pan to reinforce those. I sure wouldn't just throw them in with no bracing. I have a set that I will be removing from my AMD floor pan soon.

good point, I guess mimicking oem is the best idea. Angle iron would look a little out of place.

 

[hunt2elk]

I saw a 4-speed car that someone removed the bench and installed buckets without putting any braces in. The drivers side front right stud hole in the floor had torn. Probably from a heavier driver dumping the clutch one to many times.

 

[scaputo3]

Thank you all for the advise. "hemiRunner", please let me know your timing. Thanks again

 

[Hemirunner]

scaputo3, I just took the old floor out today, so I can zip those bucket seat brackets off for you tomorrow.