Seats, Seats, Seats!

[JoshT]

I know this topic has been run into the ground, but I haven't been able to find quite what I'm looking for so here it goes again.

I have this 1986 Ranger Reg Cab that is soon to get a V8. I really want to keep my factory bolstered bench seat, maybe I'm strange I really liked the style and feel of it. I also want to keep the truck a manual, but the bench seat isn't worth a $3000 transmission, so it looks like I may have to get buckets. I'd like bolstered low back buckets (well to come up as high as the bench did) but I can't really find anything that I like. So I'm leaning towards adapting some other factory seats. I've read the what will fit threads, and the tech library article. I don't know how they will look or fit though.

That's where you come in! If you have other than RBV bucket seats in your Ranger please post a pic. Please include the year and cab style (if applicable) of your truck and the year, make, and model of the donor vehicle. Not only will this help me I'm sure it will also help anyone else trying to decide on the perfect bucket seats for their truck.

FWIW, I really like Multi's Crystler Crossfire seats, they are about the only high back I've seen so far that I really like. He thinks that I probably wouldn't fit in the cab very well with them though. I hope I have a chance to find out for sure. Second on my list are 2000-2004 Mustang Sport seats, either Mach 1 or GT pattern. I'd probably buy in cloth and have them redone with one of the other patterns to match my interior.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Two of the 40 parts of the 60/40 seat will work for a lowback bucket seats. Might look in BII's as well, personally (with a tan interior) I would like to snag a nice pair out of a Eddie Bauer BII.

 

[JoshT]

But to do the 40 40 conversion like you are talking about would require that A) you already have a 40/60 split bench, or B) you buy tow complete sets of 40/60 bench seats.

I'm not really looking for a discussion of what does and doesn't work, that's already been discussed a million times. None of those discussions really do what I am looking for here. What I'm wanting to do, for my own selfish reasons, is compile a thread of pictures. Saying that it works is great but being able to see how it will turn out is even better. In all those other threads we say this works or that works but we never actually show this or that actually done. Can't speak for everyone but I'm much more likely to buy a set of buckets to do the conversion if I have some idea of how it will actually look when done. I'm also wanting to veer away from RBV seats. We already know that with a little work (and not much really) pretty much any of those seats will work in any of those will work in any other RBV.

Take the article in the tech library for example. It says that Tempo/Topaz, Escort, Mustang, Thunderbird, and Merkur seats will install on your factory seat tracks. The only thing it shows is the Escort GT seats in an extended cab. What will they look like in a standard cab? What about those other seats how do they look in an RBV? How about a lazyboy recliner? Sure you can go look at them in a junkyard, but seeing them in the context of the vehicle they were designed for and in an RBV are completely different. Besides we all know that article in the tech library is a little dated. If we do good at this maybe some of it can be pulled into updating it, and possibly cut down on some of the repeat threads on this subject.

I know looks wise the Later model Mustang seat is what I am going for, just want to see how it sits in the cab before I commit to it. I'm sure others would appreciate begin able to do the same thing with what ever seats they are after. If we already have a well defined list of examples maybe we'll cut down on the repetitive posts, and have some place to point this posters when they ask a question.

 

[koda6966]

I'll post up mine from a newer Explorer sport.. still an RBV but they're nice power buckets.

Might not work well with a regular cab though..

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't see what the hitch would be in the 40/40 thing. It is basically the same thing that happens when you convert a 60/40 to buckets. And at a JY, just what you need. You wouldn't have to buy both complete sets.