Bucket Seat "Upgrade"?

[JoeIsuzu]

This is just way too complicated for me. Somebody here said the later-model Pickup/Rodeo seats would "bolt right in". Nope.

1. Height is fine, just about perfect.
2. They're of course a bit thicker than the bench, which means a bit less legroom and quite a bit less space behind the seat.
3. Width isn't bad. I should have room for something in the middle, maybe a console with a sub in it (see #2).
4. But the mounts just DO NOT line up with any existing holes.

Here they are, just sitting in the cab.

So getting them mounted is my next challenge. There are NO tracks or mounting holes on the inside (next to the transmission tunnel). I know Isuzu offered bucket seats in 1983, so I'm really puzzled at how they mounted them.

The floor has a brittle covering that looks like it was intended to deaden sound. It was perforated in the area where I expected to find mounting holes, so I chiseled it out of the way. Nothing.

Anbody got any suggestions?

Jack

[JoeIsuzu]

After fiddling with these, I decided they'd need as much fabrication as anything else. At best, I could re-use only one mounting hole. They were also a bit tall. Headroom was fine, but my legs felt too close to the wheel to comfortably clutch and brake.

I returned them to Pull-A-Part, and spent about an hour walking around and taking pics. The most promising seats I saw were in a 2016 Ford Fiesta, and a 2011 Fiesta. The 2011 Fiesta had really nice power seats (I think the trim may have been leather). If I had seen them before our recent snow and rains, I'd have probably bought them. But they had a puddle of snow/ice that had repeatedly thawed and froze in the upholstery and cushion.

Jack

[puttputtinpup]

You'd think a seat from a civic or accord would work. The back of the Pup cab is what really limits driver space

[JoeIsuzu]

You'd think a seat from a civic or accord would work.

I don't remember why I stopped looking at those. I may have to take another look.

The back of the Pup cab is what really limits driver space

Definitely! Especially if you have long legs. The Rodeo seatback seemed thicker than seats from subcompacts.

Jack

[ubs_lover]

I'm using 1984 Trooper's bucket seat with tracks. I have to modify the mount to floor, but it's worth to get the seat moving slightly front and back and can reclined a little.

And to get the 1981 the, I modify the bucket into high back version

And yes it has SpaceCab console box in middle

Andy

[JoeIsuzu]

Another "hunting trip" today. I came back with these, from a 2013 Ford Focus. I saw them on a previous visit, but they were snow-covered and I assumed they would be ruined. They seem to have survived the weather surprisingly well.

(click to enlarge)

I'll post more pics as the cleanup and install progresses.

Oh, and they're leather, and the driver's seat is power-adjustable. There are several wires on both seats. I don't know if that's for the airbags or if it's for heat. We'll see.

And I used a neat trick I found online, to actuate the power seats so you can uncover the mounting bolts. I took an 18v drill battery along, and connected the fore/aft drive motor wires to it to make it move. Easy peasy!

Jack

[JoeIsuzu]

Nice try, but no. See pics.

The seat base is too tall / too close to the steering wheel.

Even all the way back, not enough room.

These will go back to the salvage yard (where they will tell me to put them in the dumpster).

Jack

[gruff54]

"These will go back to the salvage yard (where they will tell me to put them in the dumpster).
Jack"

I've been wondering what you were doing with all the seats you've been bringing home. So they'll refund your $$? Seems a waste to throw them away. Looks like they'd have you put them back in the car if it's still there.

Mike

[JoeIsuzu]

Mike, it really does seem like a waste.

I threw the RAV4 seats away before I found out I could return them for credit. I returned the Rodeo seats and received a full refund (a credit on my Pull-A-Part card, good for future yard entry and purchases).

The other two yards in town don't have such a liberal return policy.

Jack