Aftermarket or late model seats in Early B body cars

[toolmanmike]

Has anyone replaced their factory buckets with aftermarket or late model seats in their early B body cars?
My factory seats need rebuilt to be comfortable but I don't see any way to adjust the back cushion stops so they sit up straighter.
A friend added aftermarket seats to his 67 Coronet that he likes really well. I need to find out what brand they are.
I have also seen members use late model Sebring convertible buckets in their old Mopars. They are 6 way power adjustable, have a power back tilt, headrests, shoulder harnesses, and some even have heat.

Just curious.

 

[VANDAN]

You could shim the rear track mount to get it straighter up, but that wouldn't change the seating position...

 

[toolmanmike]

Rick put Teas seats in his Coronet. Teas Design Looking for some photos.

 

[Black_Sheep]

In an otherwise stock car they look really out of place. I understand the desire for creature comforts though, most muscle car era seats are like sitting on a park bench…

 

[toolmanmike]

You could shim the rear track mount to get it straighter up, but that wouldn't change the seating position...

The seat bases are adjustable up and down on the front and back. The seat back pivot stops are not. My 66 Dart seats had rods for stops and I added a plastic bushing to stop the backs so I sat up straighter.

 

[toolmanmike]

In an otherwise stock car they look really out of place. I understand the desire for creature comforts though, most muscle car era seats are like sitting on a park bench…

Agreed and the fellow that did the seats in my car used some funky foam. Like setting on a board.

 

[Dennis H]

Couldn’t figure out the “Powered Inertia” belts on the Sebring so I gave up. Still using the buckets from a 91 FWD Daytona that were put in 1991. They are wore out now too. Drawback, they don’t fold flat for rear seat access.

 

[Cranky]

When I sold my 68 roadrunner race car, I kept the mid 70's Duster seats that were in it and put them in my 66 Belvedere. Man, what a difference from the wore out bench seat plus no more back aches! The Duster seats were comfortable in the roadrunner so figured they would be good for the Belvedere. Thing is, I didn't spend much time in roadrunner so wasn't sure how they would be on the street for long term rides. And at least they looked like they were from a Mopar from around that era lol.

 

[LowBikeMike]

Ive got set of 70's era mopar high-school buckets i just removed from my 69. Going to original. They are very comfortable. Not exactly sure what they came out of.

 

[toolmanmike]

Here's those Teas seats in Rick's Coronet. He made the console himself. The Teas are over $2000 a pair. That seems like quite a lot but rebuilding stock seats isn't cheap either. Frames and bases are spendy if you want to change designs. Foam kits and upholstery will run you over $1000. I think Rick has a tilt wheel too. Ididit if I remember right.

 

[Dave6T4]

Has anyone replaced their factory buckets with aftermarket or late model seats in their early B body cars?
My factory seats need rebuilt to be comfortable but I don't see any way to adjust the back cushion stops so they sit up straighter.
A friend added aftermarket seats to his 67 Coronet that he likes really well. I need to find out what brand they are.
I have also seen members use late model Sebring convertible buckets in their old Mopars. They are 6 way power adjustable, have a power back tilt, headrests, shoulder harnesses, and some even have heat.

Just curious.

I had the same problem of my driver's seat in my '64 Polara laying back too far, with no adjustment to straighten it up. I had a local fabrication shop make up tapered shim that raised the back of the seat up 1 1/2" to get the straighteness that I wanted. Now, the whole seat is too high. I have a power seat mechanism, but it will go no lower. This winter, I plan to take the seat out again, and take a tapered slice out of the factory seat bracket to drop the front of the seat 1 1/2", to correct my seat back angle. Then, I can use the power height adjustment to get the seat height I need.
Those Sebring convertible seats are nice for a custom build. I told my Son about them, and he bought a pair for a '59 Savoy project he was working on. They include a shoulder seat belt harness in the top of the seat, increasing safety.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

There are several other FBBO threads on this topic with awesome example photos.

Finding seats to use is one thing. Mounting them with a bracket setup that fits correctly to the floor is the problem and not a few hour job on a single afternoon. I've done it once before myself and it's a lot of trial and error and revision to get it right. It was an all weekend affair with two of us working on it. I've since pulled those temporary seats out (they were honda seats installed for a road trip then removed upon return). I'm planning to install some Procar Elite seats, but trying to work out a mounting strategy. Right now I'm considering cutting up the stock mounts and adapting them to the Procar seats, but this will require some welding (which I have no experience with).

 

[Darter6]

When I had my Duster we installed Corbeau seats. I really liked 'um.
Should be good in a B too.

 

[Darter6]

I put Jeep aftermarket seats in my 63 Belvedere. Looks like the A990 seats.
Low back but a surprisingly comfortable. Sorry no photo.

 

[toolmanmike]

There are several other FBBO threads on this topic with awesome example photos.

Finding seats to use is one thing. Mounting them with a bracket setup that fits correctly to the floor is the problem and not a few hour job on a single afternoon. I've done it once before myself and it's a lot of trial and error and revision to get it right. It was an all weekend affair with two of us working on it. I've since pulled those temporary seats out (they were honda seats installed for a road trip then removed upon return). I'm planning to install some Procar Elite seats, but trying to work out a mounting strategy. Right now I'm considering cutting up the stock mounts and adapting them to the Procar seats, but this will require some welding (which I have no experience with).

I see on Summits website that ProCar has seat adapter brackets for Dodge and Plymouth. They aren't specific what models but they have different numbers for the Darts and Valiants. Procar 81342 Procar Seat Adapter Brackets | Summit Racing

 

[Kern Dog]

When I had my Duster we installed Corbeau seats. I really liked 'um.
Should be good in a B too.

View attachment 1935602

Many people seem to feel compelled to voice their opinion to people that deviate from stock with the wheels and the seats.
There are a lot of closet purists that are stuck on stock.
That is fine if they want to keep their cars that way.
This is YOUR car, you are spending your money on it so it should be done the way that you want regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Some people object to a look that is so far from stock but these Corbeaus are a good looking seat that will hold you in place better than any stock seat. The seat-back is adjustable for angle and rear seat access. They do have mounting adapters but the early B body may not be on the list for what is available. You can cut and weld though so this is all within your skill level.
OEM seats in newer cars is another way to go but you'd sure need to make sure the seats are properly cleaned! Smokers leave behind a smell that will ruin the interior of your car. (especially if you don't smoke)
A buddy and I pulled seat belts from a late model Charger (for a retrofit into a Coronet) and he was disgusted by how dirty the belts were once he unwound them at home.

 

[Dennis H]

But Rubber Bands and a bad ride? I don’t need the look that bad.