OK, I've seen a bunch of posts in the archives from those wanting to convert from the rear captains to rear bench or vice versa. I've seen an equal number of posts essentially saying "it's hard, it's hard".

Instead, I'd like to focus on "it's possible" and go from there. So, what does it take to make it happen?

I'm guessing that Ford doesn't have different frames for different interior options. That would be expensive from a manufacturing point of view. So, the underlying structural members should be there, no matter whether the holes are there or there's a nut welded to the other side. That means this should be no harder than installing a roll cage.

Where are the stock mounting points? I know that there are legs to the floorpan and braces to the back of the cab. I know from the service manual that the mounting points for the "40" part of the bench and a single captain's chair are identical. It looks like there's a pair of legs and a 2-bolt rear brace that will change position. Anything else?

Will the truck bed have to come out to do the back part of the rear brace?

Oolan Zimmer

 

Best go to your local "stealership" and let them tell you about the possibilities. They will have the best information on the true cost for such a transformation.

Regards and Happy Holidays.


:santa:

 

Can't be that hard...

 

As long as you stay with the same body style, I don't see a problem. You can not cross from 03 to 04 or 150 to 250, so with that in mind, it should be a direct bolt-in swap assuming you have all the hardware / fasteners to make the conversion.

 

Please make certain to keep the safety aspects at the forefront of your planning. Further, keep insurance considerations in mind as well. If you heavily modify the safety systems (which are unique to bucket/bench scenarios), I'd guess that the insurance companies would not only decline any claims that you may have to make as a result of an incident, they may seek legal action against you for not disclosing significant modifications to the safety systems.

Food for thought...

RP

 

A little further then Rockpick. I understand, from friends at dealership, that the mountings are different from bucket to bench and the floor pan is made different.

Any mounting you're going to do on a switch over will not be through the reinforcements in the floor pan.

My local dealership, who I know very well, won't do the change because of the mountings.

Back when I was in dealership we wouldn't move front seat back, for tall drivers, for the same reason. The seat didn't bolt through the floor reinforcement when it was moved rearward.

Just be careful and safe.