I spent money that I probably should't have, but IMO it was worth it. Bear with me here, I might get a little long winded...
My goal for both of the Rangers in my signature are somewhat performance oriented sports trucks. IMO a big part of a sports/perfomance vehicles is the seating and the stock Ranger bench and split bench just doesn't pass the test. I understand some RBV seats were more supportive than others, particularly certain sport bucket from the mid 90s that were allegedly made by Recaro. Those aren't easy to come by, especially in decent shape.
The '99 is the one I've been working on recently. It's 60/40 split bench that I want to convert to buckets and Explorer center console, with more of performance type seat. I'm at somewhat of a loss for what I want to install. I'd love to find a set of Recaro "Style Topline XL" seats, since that it what was installed in the similar year Saleen XP8 Explorers. Of course those are no longer produced and I couldn't/wouldn't afford them if they were. Leaning towards a set of later model ('10+) Mustang buckets. Even if it ends up going back to a lifted 4x4 truck, I want seats like those.
The '85 is a future project that I haven't even considered working on yet, well no more than attempting to get it moving under its own power and assessing the rust that it wasn't supposed to have. It was originally a bucket seat and console optioned XLT, but someone removed the console and installed a bench. I know it was originally bucket seat and console because it has the brackets on the rear wall, the info display dangling by a wire harness, and the bolt holes for the inner seat rails opened up. Anyhow, when the time comes to restore I want to take itback to being a high optioned bucket seat and console truck. Shran got me hooked up with the proper center console, needs to be died to match, but I can handle that.
For the 85 the seats are turning out to be the hardpart. I could use first/second gen low back Ranger/BII seats, but those aren't what I was after (I've actuall got a set). Any modern bucket is going to sit too far forward for an early regular cab. Turned to fox Mustang buckets as being the closes fit due to thin back, but most of those are mid/high back and have similar issue. Probably the best seat that I could have found was a set of Recaro LSC like was used in the pace car edition (and others?), they are thin back like the regular fox seats, but little lower back like the Ranger seats. Those are actually obtainable, but you're looking at close to $1k for a rough set, or $2.5k+ for a restored set. Like the other Recaros, that's out of my price range.
There was a third option for the '85, but they seem to be even more unobtanium that the Recaros I wanted for the '99. They've actually been featured on a truck in an article on this site. I'm talking about the
1988 Saleen Ranger. It would seem that Saleen fitted an aftermarket seat to the 24 Rangers that it produces for public sale, or atleast they are in both of the trucks I can find pictures of online. The seat of choice was called the FloFit. Seems that he also used them in some of the 80s Mustangs before switching to Recaro. These things are so rare, that most people don't even seem to remeber what thet are anymore.
Well guess what I found local on Craigslist Monday? A damn near perfect pair of FloFits, with sliders, and adjustable lumbar support (it was an addon), they also had Fox Body brackets which I can probably resell or adapt to the Ranger floorpan. They were in black instead of the fancy Saleen colors, that's preferible for me. While they are 30 years old and sun faded, the foams are still firm and little wear on the upholstery. A set in similar condition would normally sell for close to $1000, seller was asking $400. I gave it to him and almost felt guilty about not telling him what he had.
Fortunately he squished that guilty feeling, apparenlt I let it slip what he had in the subject line of my first mesage to him. After they looked up what they had his wife asked if he wanted to take down the listing and sell again elsewhere. The upstanding fella that he is said no and went forward with the deal.
Anyway here's a few pictures for your viewing pleasure:
The saleen seats:
White Truck from TRS article
Blue Truck, from Hot Rod NMRA Saleen Reunion Article
White truck, posted by member/owner on Yenko.net
No photos of mine yet due to raining, but these look nearly identical to what I bought:
Photo on Pelican Parts forum, more in that link and this one.
Primary differences between mine and the Saleens aside from color, are the head rests and the adjustable lumbar. Saleen had mesh halos, and no lumbar support. I've got adjustable rests, but I'm going to investigate if a set of Recaro or Mustang halos would fit, if so they can be acquired.
Since I'm no where close to installing in the 85 yet, they will probably get cleaned up and installed in the 99 until then. It'll be a safer location than stored in the shed with the mice, and I can go ahead and start the center console install in the 99.
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it is what it is. Stuff seems way more expensive now than when I bought that last bottle.. by a bunch.. relatively sure I spent 50$ last time.. this one was 70 
oh well. Small price to pay to save a 'classic' from further degradation I guess.. which is absolutely the goal.
