1st Gen Bench Seat

Found a real nice bench seat out of an Astro on CL and was wondering how hard it would be to install it. It has the modern quick release system but the guy no longer has the van to pull out the brackets. I'd have to go to the salvage yard and get some. Has anyone added these or similar without harming the existing floor set up in the 1st Gen, or made an adapter to use the bolt holes of the 1st Gen? Or is it simpler to just drill new holes and put in the brackets from an Astro?

Not sure if I'll ever find a 1st Gen seat anywhere near me anytime soon.

I may have access to the floor mounts. I think its a 98 Astro Van. I will take a look.

Craig

Cool, thanks. I was poking around on Google trying to find images or video of them being taken out and it looks like most of these set ups have recessed brackets. I know one vanner that cut holes in his floor to install a removable bench seat.

The astro van seats lock into a large socket welded into a pocket in the floor.

I just cut the lock crap off the new seats and welded on angle iron and bolted them to the floor.

My rear seat are from a 93 ford Aerostar van.











M1D

Nice, that looks like the way to go. I like the bed conversion aspect, the Astro seat I found has the top that folds forward, but I don't think it does the bed conversion.

Even thought the two seats I have are different lengths, I made the floor attachments exactly the same so I can put either seat in either spot. You could always go for two same length seats if you wanted and they are available in many Aerostar vans mid 90s eara in many colors and fabrics.

$100 for the pair with seat belts.

M1D

I like a bit of a fancy method.

Yesterday Pete came up and picked up the electrical folding rear seat from the 1991 Chevy G20 conversion that I saved for him. This thing fits PERFECT between the wheel wells. The back portion of the seat only moves back 10 inches when folding down so it can still be way back and with the simple push of a button folds all the way down.

Very easy to mount, only need to use Ubolts or conduit clamps. We had it forward in the picture below cuz his spare tire was still mounted in the back. He is going to move that to mount on the floor under the seat since there is plenty of height.

Just thought this was another option for those who want a full size bed but dont want 2 rows of seats.

I'm thinking those elec folding bed seats might be the way to go. I'm torn though between the way Donivan did his camper type seats in the very back with a table in between. His table comes out (for hauling everyone's spare engines) and I'm guessing the table top can drop in between the seats for a bed like with most camper trailers etc. But I also thinking of the elec folding seat on my rear mounts, then a single jumper seat behind the driver facing aft, and a removable table in between, like a lot of the Westaflia's are set up.

Lots of options I guess. But if I find 1st or 2nd Gen seats I'll have them covered to match and go with a stock look.

I got an original bench in our Sporty that is in awesome shape. If we didn't need seating for 6 we would have gone with that electric seat.

Sandyvan
I havent been able to get into my father in laws van yet to check out the seat mounts. He still has it full of stuff. Was supposed to clean it out as he is getting rid of it.
I'll let you know as soon as I can get in there

CraigK wrote:Sandyvan
I havent been able to get into my father in laws van yet to check out the seat mounts. He still has it full of stuff. Was supposed to clean it out as he is getting rid of it.
I'll let you know as soon as I can get in there

CraigK, don't even worry about it, not necessary. I went to pick-a-part this weekend to get other stuff and viewed lots of mini van seat options and how the releases work. If I go that route I will probably do what M1dadio did. But for now, still waiting and hoping for some early or at least 70's tube frame seats.

The Ecology domestic lot usually has tons of 70s vans. I pulled a rear bench from an early 70s ford that is in amazing shape. It's a blue vinyl upholstery that doesn't quite match my interior, but it doesn't look out of place.

Im only using mine for extra passengers when I need it. Otherwise I like all the space back there. I have a fold-out futon from the guy at Kobey's swap meet that lays PERFECTLY between the wheel wells for camping.

The seat I got from Matthew is now wired up and working great. I just need to mount it to the floor planning on that project to be done tomorrow. When finished I will post a few pictures tomorrow night. I fits perfect and very happy with it.

ScottyJones wrote:The Ecology domestic lot usually has tons of 70s vans.

The one down in Chula Vista? Oceanside had bupkus.

sandyvan wrote:

ScottyJones wrote:The Ecology domestic lot usually has tons of 70s vans.

The one down in Chula Vista? Oceanside had bupkus.

Yep, the Chula Vista one seems to always have a lot of 70s vans.

This is the seat that Matt gave us and its all bolted down and working great. The next plan is to have all our seats recovered.

Yeah Pete, maybe I'll sell ya my vintage "Keep On Truckin" license plate frame!

That bed seat is looking like a mighty tempting option. I'm also torn between wanting to look original, and safety. I have the original front seats and love the look, but no whiplash prevention in case of an accident. So it would be real easy to find Astro bench seats with head rests and high back buckets for the front. The only thing is it would drive me nuts until I could afford to get them recovered and matching in vinyl.

Thanks guys those hippy daze are long gone. Just working for the man everyday. We are having lots of fun with this van. We get lots of looks and comments when on the road.

Here's the bench seat I got out of an early 70's Ford van. The upholstery is in really great shape. I just bolded it to the floor in the rear position...figured it was the best use of space while there's a seat back there.

Hey Don we were in Reno/Lake Tahoe actually saw alot of those flags and We did route 66 Needles to Windslow and seen alot of those flags on that route also. So rednecks are every where. Amazing country we live in. Scotty nice seat keep up the good work. You guys are very lucky to have so many vans around. Not many in Bama.

ScottyJones wrote:Here's the bench seat I got out of an early 70's Ford van. The upholstery is in really great shape. I just bolded it to the floor in the rear position...figured it was the best use of space while there's a seat back there.

Wow that is in good shape. I'll give you guys a holler when I get a chance to make it down to Chula Vista.