I would like to change the front seats in my 03 S'crew, which are currently the split bench seats, over to front buckets with the center console.

My interior is the light gray, I think ford calls it medium graphite. Has anyone made this switch before? IS it a simple bolt out and bolt in job? Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

Rich -

I just did this exact scenario with my '01 'Screw. My truck had the 60/40 split bench and is an XLT.

I found a guy from this board who had the buckets and console who wanted to swap. So, I worked out the details with him and we traded.

This is what I learned:

1. The driver's seat was the same in both trucks, so we did not have to do anything there.

2. The seats are held to the floorpan with T-55 Torx bolts.

3. The seat backs are exactly the same between the two. We each removed our seat backs and each kept them and just shipped the seat bottoms to reduce the shipping charges.

4. To remove the seat back, start by disassembling the lower seat. The lumbar adjustment **** comes off by pulling very hard straight out on it. TIGHT FIT!!! After you remove the mechanism from the seat bottom (2 Philips screws), snap the cable out of the end the mechanism and remove it from the unit. Slide the cable out through the seat bottom. Remove the plastic seat trim (4 Philips screws and 1 plastic plug) and the reclining handle (1 Philips screw). Then, remove the 2 large bolts that hold the seat reclining mechanism to the lower seat and you should be ready to separate the two parts.

5. Lay the seat on its side, with the reclining mechanism on the "Up" side facing you. (An assistant helps make this step easier, but it can be done by one person)

6. Hold the seat bottom on the ground and pull straight up on the seat back. Use the reclining mechanism as a handle. It will slide off of the post that is mounted on the seat bottom. You might have to give it a sharp pull to get it to pop off, but it will come off.

7. The seat mounting bracket and slide rail closest to the passenger door are exactly the same between the two. There are 2 - 10mm bolts that hold the slide rail and floor mount bracket to the seat frame. Remove them and keep the slide rail and floor mount bracket from your seat. That will save 15-20 lbs. of shipping weight.

8. The seat mounting brackets and slide rails closest to the driver door are different. Each one will need to be shipped with the seat bottom to the new owner.

9. The seat adjustment handle is unique to each seat, but does mount to the slide rails in the same manner on both.

10. The seatbelt on the bucket is mounted to the seat frame. The seatbelt on the bench is mounted to the floor.

11. Once you have your bench out, you will have 5 holes exposed on the floor. The 2 closest to the door will align just as before. The rear hole that previously held your bench seatbelt will now hold the rear mounting bracket for the bucket seat. The 2 holes left over (nearest the driver's seat) will now be used to mount the console.

So, you will need to tap 1 hole for the front inner seat mount bracket and 2 holes for the passenger side of the console. The hole should already be in the floorpan, filled with a rubber plug. However, mine were not threaded. I bought the tap from Sears and off I went.

The holes lined up exactly for the console.

Overall, I'm very happy with the results. Once I get a chance, I'll post some pics of the before and after, if you wish.

 

B-Man,

Great reply. Thanks for the info. I am going to print it out and use it when I locate some bucket seats.

I would love to see some pics.

Thanks again..

taylor3004@earthlink.net

 

anybody wanna switch? I have 60/40 fronts in grey.

Scott

Any suggestions where to look(not new)

 

KILLER response B-Man. I am going to bookmark this one so that I can point folks back to it when this question comes up again...

It seems to pop up about once per month or so...

Again, thanks for sharing your info!

RP

 

It IS an awesome thread... I was scanning for info last night and stumbled on it!(it's over a year old!)

 

I, too, have the 40/60 front bench, medium graphite, leather and am looking to change over to twin buckets and a center console.

Have been looking for quite some time now, but to no avail.

My local stealer says he'd do it, but it would run about $2500.

Not!

Anyone wanna trade?

Thanx.

 

No takers, eh?

Darn. Mine are in factory condition too.

Anyone know of where to look elsewhere?

Thanx.

 

Try a salvage yard. Many times they get totaled trucks/cars from insurance companies and have parts in perfect condition. Usually they have a computer 'junk' network that they can look up what you are looking for nationally and get it for you too.

mikebaby

 

WOW. Talk about digging up an old one. Oh well, it's good to see someone using the Search button.

Anyway, I thought I would add some more info here.

I traded my SuperCrew last year for my Lightning, so I have not been busy in the SuperCrew forum.

Before I found the guy who wanted to trade seats, I had gone to a salvage yard here and bought a bucket seat for $100. The problem was it was tan and my SuperCrew was graphite. But, I bought it anyway and proceeded to start the conversion process.

I really think that you could take the "60" section of the seat bottom and have it stitched to fit the bucket seat bottom. If I am not mistaken, some other guys on this forum have done exactly that, with good results.

Anyway, I have been considering doing this again for my Lightning, but am unsure as to whether or not I trust an upholstery shop could make the seat bottom work on a bucket. The other obstacle is, of course, the need for the Expedition console.

Good luck and don't give up...

 

Still looking for a trader...

I have the 40/60 front bench, medium graphite, leather and am looking to change over to twin buckets (captains) and a center console.

Have been looking for quite some time now, but to no avail.

My local stealer says he'd do it, but it would run about $2500.

Not!

Anyone wanna trade?

Thanx.

Update...

The best price I've found so far is a second-hand service supplied from wrecked trucks in my "not-so-local" area. Running about $1100 for "looks new" quality.

Whaddyathink?

Anyone out there in good ol' Ford country interested in trading yet?



Thanx again.

 

First off let me say, Great thread. I have a 1999 F-150 with the 60/40 split bench, tan, and would also like to convert to buckets. So, if anybody is interested?

 

if you are going to do this swap, you should investigate going with an Expedition console that goes full length from dash to seat back.

search this site as a number of people have done it. There are also a ton of install pictures available.

 

Thanks for the advice. The only thing that worry's me is that I have the floor shift 4x4 lever. I don't know if the full length console from the expedition will interfere or not. I would rather have the full length, but don't know if it is possible. Thanks again.

 

To repeat, nice thread. I too would like to swap to bucket, but in the rear too to keep my two monkey kids apart.

I will never ride 3 across the rear and would rather have the rear buckets too.

~Ratso