Gen 1 Swap to buckets

[baxtej44]

This is going to be my mod thread!

88 ranger xlt 4x4 2.9L

Well right now, I don't have the funds to buy after market seats... so I'll hopefully be successfully switching my 60/40 to two individual bucket seats!!!

 

[baxtej44]

freshly taken out seat, with my new socket set

How do I get the armrest assembly off? I can see a metal part where I believe it attaches, but cannot get to it.

I cannot take the padding out, because it's attached to a metal support inside.

 

[baxtej44]

bump still trying to figure out how to get the connections let lose to be able to saw everything off...

obviously i need to get the fabric pulled back otherwise the entire right side (as you're sitting in the seat) will be bare foam... now i may just get seat covers anyway, but I still want to have it look decent (pulled and stapled under or something..)


i see a torx screw on the back, going to go get a loaner tool set from the advance down the road and see what that is holding on... hopefully tomorrow, if not i leave for TN tomorrow night, and will be gone for a week.

 

[Mark_88]

There was another thread similar to this a while ago...the guy cut open the material and cut out the foam, then sewed the material back...it looked pretty good...but I think he was trying to add a center console...so the foam had to go...

Personally, I'd just grab a set of Explorer buckets...much easier...and you can get leather...if you're so inclined...

 

[baxtej44]

There was another thread similar to this a while ago...the guy cut open the material and cut out the foam, then sewed the material back...it looked pretty good...but I think he was trying to add a center console...so the foam had to go...

Personally, I'd just grab a set of Explorer buckets...much easier...and you can get leather...if you're so inclined...

yeah i am now trying to decide if i want to add a center console... or just get rid of the arm rest to have space for my sub... then again, i am not sure i want my sub open to the public to see like that... just thought about that.


i will continue pondering and looking today.

 

[baxtej44]

found where the armrest is attached! (after ripping through the foam)

this is what was left after the armrest came off

took that off and there is just that black piece left... thinking i will have to grind that down or something so that it won't rip through seat covers if I ever get them.


now just to be clear, the only way to get rid of the actual middle part of the seat (the part you sit on) is to hacksaw it? or sawzall whatever...

 

[Coleosis]

Personally, I'd just grab a set of Explorer buckets...much easier...and you can get leather...if you're so inclined...

Sorry if this is in the tech library....Do explorer buckets mount right up in a reg cab? Can I use the sliders from the explorer or ranger?

 

[Mechanickid]

You have to swap the tracks me thinks. The reason most people never swap to buckets is because they don't want to drill new holes or they cant think outside the box to figure out how to swap the tracks.

 

[Mark_88]

Sorry if this is in the tech library....Do explorer buckets mount right up in a reg cab? Can I use the sliders from the explorer or ranger?

Like Mechanickid said...the tracks from your Ranger can be mounted on most Explorer seats...and I do believe this is in the Tech Library...but it doesn't include all seats that will swap IIRC...

I did the high-back explorer seats in my first Ranger after I removed the bench seat...just used a set of tracks from another Ranger that had similar buckets...

 

[odie1969]

When I swaped to bucket seats I used the seats from my very first car a 84 ford shitscort. All I had to do was swap the tracks form the ranger. but then I switched to bronco II tracks so the pass seat slides even farther forward due the Ext cab.

 

[Mark_88]

When I swaped to bucket seats I used the seats from my very first car a 84 ford shitscort. All I had to do was swap the tracks form the ranger. but then I switched to bronco II tracks so the pass seat slides even farther forward due the Ext cab.

Good idea...my new Ranger has buckets with the ext cab feature, but I want to change them out due to them being so clunky...as in complex...I like the standard cab sliders, but they don't reach as far...

 

[TerryW]

I swapped explorer seats in mine. I left the explorer track on and just had to drill 2 holes in the foor and bolt it down. The rest lined up and gave me a ton more room for subs in mine. Running 2 12 JBL Gt1241's right now with seat only forward 1 notch. Not to uncomfortable but I am 6' 5"

 

[Coleosis]

I swapped explorer seats in mine. I left the explorer track on and just had to drill 2 holes in the foor and bolt it down. The rest lined up and gave me a ton more room for subs in mine. Running 2 12 JBL Gt1241's right now with seat only forward 1 notch. Not to uncomfortable but I am 6' 5"

Im not too concerned about speaker room...Got a lot of room for that...I was just worried about them being too tall or too big for a reg cab....Dont want my pecker getting friction burns from the steering wheel. I think imma hit up the junk yard on payday unless I can find an amp for 2 15"s so i can get at least some beats in my truck...

 

[Mark_88]

As long as the floor is reinforced where you drill that's fine...but if you look at the floor from under neath you can see where the reinforcment ends...drilling into the non reinforced area and bolting into that can be dangerous...

That's primarily why I prefered to use the Ranger tracks with the stock bolts...or upgrade them to grade 8 bolts if possible...

 

[Coleosis]

As long as the floor is reinforced where you drill that's fine...but if you look at the floor from under neath you can see where the reinforcment ends...drilling into the non reinforced area and bolting into that can be dangerous...

That's primarily why I prefered to use the Ranger tracks with the stock bolts...or upgrade them to grade 8 bolts if possible...

So you CAN use the ranger tracks...awesome...thats what i needed to know...sorry if someone already said that and I didnt catch it...im a bit slow some times...