Converting a 68 442 passenger bucket to drivers bucket?
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Registered User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 122
From: Fort Mill, SC
Converting a 68 442 passenger bucket to drivers bucket?
My 68 has two front buckets that are both passenger buckets. Is there a way to convert one of them to a drivers side configuration? Thanks in advance.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,471
From: Colorado - Front Range
My '68 came to me the same way. Unfortunately the Left VS Right seat frames are mirror images of each other. I bought a new frame with springs from oldsparts.com (formerly BAP/Brothers Automotive(?) Parts). Some folks have had problems with BAP/Oldsparts, but my transaction was flawless. Got the frame/springs on sale a couple years ago for about $400, shipping included. Then I skinned my "driver" seat, bought a seat rebuild kit with new burlap, jute, hog rings from CO member Rambow. He will recommend foam from American Cushion Industries (ACI). They are fantastic! I have just about got it completed. You will have to get a new latch/release mechanism to fit the driver's side frame. Like the frame, the latch/release mechanism is mirror imaged to the passenger side. I think I saw the mechanism at Fusicks. Rambow has some awesome instructions with photos posted online that he will send you a link for, if you buy his rebuild kit. I highly recommend it.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,802
From: Northern VA
The 1966-72 GM bucket seat frames are ambidextrous. There is no RH/LH, they are the same. The 67-68 seats have RH/LH seat back release buttons, which is the problem. The frames themselves are the same. I have not looked at the release mechanism parts or how easily they can be swapped, but obviously you will also need a new seatback plastic piece due to the hole location. Unfortunately, the release latch mechanism does not appear to be reproduced for these seats, so you'll end up buying a "parts" seat anyway to get them. The 69-72 seats have the latch in the center to eliminate this RH/LH latch problem.
Ben
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,851
From: Snohomish, WA
As others mentioned above, the upper cushions for 67/68 are side to side specific.
There is no way w/o significant cutting and welding and fabrication to convert one from a passenger seat to a drivers seat. The hinge latch mech itself is specific to the L & R sides.
Your best bet (other than just finding another complete drivers core seat) would be to try and find a 67/68 drivers side upper cushion by itself and install that on your second seats lower cushion.
Often orphaned cushions like that are going to be significantly cheaper than a complete seat or pair of seats.
67 & 68 seat frames have some different inside- but on the outside they can be made to look identical- So maybe open your search to look a 67 & 68 drivers side seats.
hope this helps
-Ben
There is no way w/o significant cutting and welding and fabrication to convert one from a passenger seat to a drivers seat. The hinge latch mech itself is specific to the L & R sides.
Your best bet (other than just finding another complete drivers core seat) would be to try and find a 67/68 drivers side upper cushion by itself and install that on your second seats lower cushion.
Often orphaned cushions like that are going to be significantly cheaper than a complete seat or pair of seats.
67 & 68 seat frames have some different inside- but on the outside they can be made to look identical- So maybe open your search to look a 67 & 68 drivers side seats.
hope this helps
-Ben
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