Just sold my car and was going to order a screw this weekend. But just about the exact same one I want showed up on a dealer's lot yesterday. It's 2001 genIII, but has the cloth bench front seat and I had wanted the cloth captains chairs. Friend of mine says I'll like it just as much and appreciate the added available space. It's really personal preference, but anyone have the bench seat and would rather have gotten the chairs?

 

Mal,

I was convinced I wanted the Captains Chairs when I began to shop for my Super Crew. I did not even sit in one without them.

I then got into one with the bench seat, by mistake. I found the bench to be very comforable, and I like the fold down arm rest on it better than the Captain's Chairs. Mine has the split bench, but with the power seat adjustment and I find it to be great. Even on long trips I get out feeling refreshed.

What I would do is to moan and gripe about getting the Captains Chairs and get the dealer to give you some $ off for your trouble. Then use that $ for a nice spray in bedliner or other things you'll want to add.

Good Luck!

------------------
MIKEnTN

2001 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4
Toreador Red with Silver Two Tone, Med. Graphite Int., 5.4 V-8, 3.55 Limited Slip, Class III towing, Skid Plates, 17" Alum Wheels, Sliding Rear Window, Remote Keyless Entry, Rhino Liner.

AWESOME Truck!

 

the first SCrew I sat in had leather benches... they were nice and all and I appreciated having seating for 6, but i wasn't sold.

THEN I sat in a gen 3 split bench... wow! the driver and passenger sides of the bench are bucketed, and give a real bucket seat feel, very comfortable. plus, you still have room for the 6th, or for your girlfriend to scoot over =)

I went ahead and went with the 60/40 leather benches... hopefully the truck will be here on the 12th!

Wes

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Supercrew Lariat 4x4, 5.4L, Limited Slip, Black Ext./Graphite Int., Towing Package, 60/40 Front Bench, Moonroof, Bed Extender, Cab Steps, Rear Window
MSRP: $35,025
INVOICE: $30,952.15
PAID: $31,452.15
Ordered: 1/12/01
Est. Build Week: 2/19/01

 

I have the bench in my Gen III and I like it just fine. I have no regrets. I think power seats would have been nice but that is ok too.

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2001 Supercrew, 4x2 XLT
4.6, Arizona Beige with Deep Wedgewood Blue Accent
Options: CD Changer, LS Diff, Towing Package, 2 tone paint, 47F appearance package, 5 spoke cast wheels
New seats with front and rear adj. head rests
Built ~11/04/2000
Future Mods: hard tonneau, spray in liner

 

I'm the dissenting opinion here.
I've got the captians chairs. Coming from a vehicle with buckets, I didn't "feel" secure in the bench. Probably mostly mental...
I think it's what you prefer or if you need 6 seats. Don't think you can make a bad decision on this one.

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Supercrew Lariat 4X2, Arizona Beige Metallic, 5.4L, Towing Package, 3.55 LSD, Moonroof, Captians Chairs, Premium Sound, Extender
ORDERED 14 DEC 2000
Received 9 Feb 2001
Life is Good...

 

I bought the Captains Chairs. After living with them for 6 months, I wish I hadn't turned my nose up at the bench seats. The Capt chairs sure look great, but they are quite poor in comfort, especially when compared to similar seating offered by other mfgrs, such as Dodge. The console between the capt. chairs is quite roomy (and those cupholders are ACES!), but for the use it gets, I would have been just as happy with the fold-down armrest/storage that comes with the bench. Also, the armrests on the capt chairs are too short, and too narrow. Be sure to pay attention to this and carefully see how these feel to you. I never paid much attention to them and, in my opinion, they seem a poorly designed afterthought. If you have to pick a truck with Capt Chairs, I agree with the above poster: complain, complain, squawk and moan till the sales staff gives them to you. They just aren't worth the additional cost, IMHO.

[This message has been edited by sundog7 (edited 02-23-2001).]

 

I bought the Captains Chairs. After living with them for 6 months, I wish I hadn't turned my nose up at the bench. The Capt chairs sure look great, but they are quite poor in comfort, especially compared to other mfgrs "buckets" such as Dodge. The console between the capt. chairs is nice, but for the use it gets, I would have been just as happy with the fold-down armrest/storage as on the bench. Also, the armrests that fold down on the capt chairs are too short, and too narrow. Be sure to check this out. I never paid much attention to that, and I'm sorry I was so quick to judge on the looks.

 

I'll trade you my split bench for some buckets and console.

I just need the console personally for mounting radios and such.

 

Like Mike, originally, I was only even looking at trucks with the captain's chairs, but after sitting in one with the bench (all this particular dealer had), I changed my mind - if I'd gotten something other the King Ranch, I would have gotten the bench. (The KR has the best seats IMHO - great chairs front and rear but without the too narrow and short armrests sundog refers to - you put your arm on the wide leather console, which is much more comfy... but that's just me, and if you need seating for more than 4 the KR won't work...)

-- J

 

I have the Gen III leather bench seats. I think the "bucketing" of the bench was a great idea but find my seat bolsters to be too firm. Sorry to sound like Little Red Riding Hood but these are not, "just right." Also, the cup holders in the fold down console are very inconvenient to reach. If you get leather, try the heated seats. They are great. Still, overall, I'd buy the same again. Love my truck.

Rick

------------------
'01 SuperCrew 4X4 Lariat
DW Blue w/Beige 2-Tone
5.4 L V8
3.55 Limited Slip Differential
Class III Tow Group
Skid Plates
Rear Sliding Window
Heated Bench Seats
6 CD Changer
Factory Cab Steps
Cargo Bed Extender

Mods:
Ford Duraliner Bed Liner
Lund Interceptor Bug Shield

 

Wow, for a first timer everyone's response has been great and exactly what I was looking for. I think I am definitely leaning towards the bench now. Can't wait to get to the dealer tomorrow to take it for a test drive again and start possibly start the negotiation game. Thanks for everyone's input, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

I have the newest captains and I really like the center console. Lots of room, right height for my arm, easy to get in and out of, and looks good.
BUT, I do not like the length of the captains chairs, I am tall, with long legs, and the seat stops shorter than I would like. I do not know if that is different in the benches, but IMO, the captains are far too short.
If the length were the same in both, I would get the captains again.

------------------
Craig Brossman
2001 SCrew 5.4L 4WD Lariat
Az Beige/Wedgewood Blue
Cpts. chairs, Moon roof, Tow package, CD changer
3.55 lim. slip, Rear slider, Skid plates
Mods:Ford Bedliner, Ford BugGaurd, Westin Step Bar, WeatherBoot Floor Mats

 

I was also convinced the captain's chairs would be best and never even looked at the bench seats. The day before I ordered my Screw I saw a similar discussion thread on this forum. Nearly everyone recommended the bench seats because the bolsters on the Gen III captains are too close and steep. In other words, the outside of your legs just above the knee would feel too much pressure to be comfortable. Hmmm... I went to the dealer and jumped into a Screw with the captains chairs and sure enough, I immediately noticed this. Then, for the first time, I tried the leather split bench and I was much more satisfied- that's what I ordered. I guess I was too focused on the truck's performance and interior layout when I test drove with the captains chairs. Then again, I'm not exactly petite so maybe others would not be bothered by the captains seats. I think I'll miss the big center console but I'll be much more comfortable.

 

Although seating comfort and selection are purely subjective to the user, I put my vote in the chairs in the harley package as being the most comfortable offered in a Screw by far. I can live with the 4 person limit in return for this comofort. I first purchased a Screw with the bench but it didn't work for me and next thing I knew I had jumped off the deep end, so to speak and got the Harley package. I love this truck!



------------------
HD Screw 2001
super chip flip chip
airforce 1
rockford fosgate amp
& speakers
pro fit phone instal
kit
Other interests;
Porsches and Porsche
Racing

 

I had a 98 SCab with the bench seat and my new one on order is also a bench seat. I dont think it was worth the extra cost. The only thing I dont like about the next one is the middle console is smaller than what was in my other truck. Although, this could be a good thing, this will stop me from keeping so much junk in it. But to make up for it is the awesome new seats, plus I got leather this time.

Make sure you get a good deal on that truck, I wouldnt pay much over invoice.

------------------
Order date: 02/19/01
On Order: 01 SCrew Lariat Beige/Blue 4WD, 5.4L, Tow, Moon roof,LS, Steps, Sliding rear window, Bed extender

[This message has been edited by 98XLT (edited 02-23-2001).]