seat interchange

[3x2GTO]

My pickup must have the wrong year seat or possibly worn out, I sit way low and leaning back when driving, but the cushion and springs look fine, I'm guessing it's a later year seat. So I'm going junking for a good core to have redone. My questions are: What years are correct? Is a suburban the same? My truck is an 85 k30. Thanks!

[justin_jj_Taylor]

I always put 1/2" nuts under the seat for the seat bolts to go thru when the seats get wore out... it's like a seat lift kit lol it's worth doing if you can't find anything else.

[Mattchu60]

You would want to get a seat from a 81-87 model - those would be the same as your 85'. A suburban seat wont flip forward.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 3x2GTO

My pickup must have the wrong year seat or possibly worn out, I sit way low and leaning back when driving, but the cushion and springs look fine, I'm guessing it's a later year seat. So I'm going junking for a good core to have redone. My questions are: What years are correct? Is a suburban the same? My truck is an 85 k30. Thanks!

Pics would really help in identifying your current seat. If you do have the correct seat, it could just be the grid & springs are worn out. Those can be replaced with new parts.
https://www.usa1industries.com/produ...cat=394&page=1

But Mattchu60 is correct, you need a seat from 81-87. You can use a suburban, they can be made to tilt forward. I usually find that the Surburbans have the frames & foam, that are in better condition. And the Suburban model years goes up to 1990, if I remember correctly.
But in truth you can use any seat from 1973-1987. The 73-80 uses a different frame, foam and cover. Then it changed in 81-87. But they will all bolt right up to the cab floor.

[mongocanfly]

^^^^"And the Suburban model years goes up to 1990, if I remember correctly''^^^^
....actually the square burb seats go thru 91....

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

^^^^"And the Suburban model years goes up to 1990, if I remember correctly''^^^^
....actually the square burb seats go thru 91....

Guess I didn't remember correctly, lol. Wasn't sure if it was 90 or 91.

[3x2GTO]

Here's what's in my truck, I've owned several 1979-1980 pickups and they sat nothing like this one.

[Irish1941]

Seat looks correct (wrong color) but faded.
Find a 81-91 crew cab and take back seat. Way better than anything else you'll find.
Crew cab rear seats are pretty nice I find. And they will match the 81-87 upholstery.
Bolt your old tracks to rear seat and bolt it in. Exact same seat as front.
Even flips forward. And.....you're done.

Subs go thru 91 but upholstery changed for the 89-91 in Subs.
Mimicked the GMT400 trucks.
No big deal to me but some guys gotta have the "1987" seats

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 3x2GTO

Here's what's in my truck, I've owned several 1979-1980 pickups and they sat nothing like this one.

That seat is correct for the 81-87. When you say you have owned several 79-80, they would feel different, because the seats were different from 73-80. If you like that seat, then find one from that era. It will still bolt right up to any cab floor from 73-87.

Here are some pics to show the difference.

1st pic is the 73-80 full foam seat bottom & frame.
2nd & 3rd pics are the 81-87 seat frame and foam. The 81-87 foam has the seatbelt hole cutouts and the grid and spring setup is entirely different. That is why you are feeling the change in how the seat feels. The 81-87 grid and springs are probably shot. As stated in an earlier post, these can be replaced, to firm the seat up. New foam helps too, but its not necessary. It's mainly the grid & springs.

[3x2GTO]

Originally Posted by Irish1941

Seat looks correct (wrong color) but faded.
Find a 81-91 crew cab and take back seat. Way better than anything else you'll find.
Crew cab rear seats are pretty nice I find. And they will match the 81-87 upholstery.
Bolt your old tracks to rear seat and bolt it in. Exact same seat as front.
Even flips forward. And.....you're done.

Subs go thru 91 but upholstery changed for the 89-91 in Subs.
Mimicked the GMT400 trucks.
No big deal to me but some guys gotta have the "1987" seats

That's some great info, I'm keeping that! Thanks!

[3x2GTO]

Originally Posted by TKCR

That seat is correct for the 81-87. When you say you have owned several 79-80, they would feel different, because the seats were different from 73-80. If you like that seat, then find one from that era. It will still bolt right up to any cab floor from 73-87.

Here are some pics to show the difference.

1st pic is the 73-80 full foam seat bottom & frame.
2nd & 3rd pics are the 81-87 seat frame and foam. The 81-87 foam has the seatbelt hole cutouts and the grid and spring setup is entirely different. That is why you are feeling the change in how the seat feels. The 81-87 grid and springs are probably shot. As stated in an earlier post, these can be replaced, to firm the seat up. New foam helps too, but its not necessary. It's mainly the grid & springs.

The pictures are a BIG help, I definitely like the 73-80 style springs better. I'm going to look for a solid 73-80 frame to have redone, if no luck I'll do what Irish posted. Thanks all!!!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 3x2GTO

The pictures are a BIG help, I definitely like the 73-80 style springs better. I'm going to look for a solid 73-80 frame to have redone, if no luck I'll do what Irish posted. Thanks all!!!

Irish is correct on Suburban & Rear Crew seats. I have seen this too. Most of the Suburban seats I find, have great foam & frames. And the Suburban can be made to tilt, if it even is really a big issue that it does. Like myself, my seats tilts, but it is not necessary. I can slide the seat forward enough to get small items that might be behind the seat, but I don't keep anything back there.

[3x2GTO]

[QUOTE=TKCR;8220161]Irish is correct on Suburban & Rear Crew seats. I have seen this too. Most of the Suburban seats I find, have great foam & frames. And the Suburban can be made to tilt, if it even is really a big issue that it does. Like myself, my seats tilts, but it is not necessary. I can slide the seat forward enough to get small items that might be behind the seat, but I don't keep anything back there.[/QUOTE With my back issues, I have to have a firm seat that'll let me sit close to upright. I'll hopefully get a chance to get in the local junkyard next weekend, I'll post my findings.

[3x2GTO]

If I go with the 73-80 style seat, I'm guessing a rear seat from a crew or burb would also work and do they tilt?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 3x2GTO

If I go with the 73-80 style seat, I'm guessing a rear seat from a crew or burb would also work and do they tilt?

Burb front seats will either be a bench or buckets. And the front bench does not tilt, but it can be made too. Rear seats are a 60/40.

Crew cab rear seat, I don't know if they tilt or not. Maybe someone else will know.

You may already know this, But search using car-part.com They will find local yards to you that have exactly what your looking for.

[3x2GTO]

I picked this up today, it's from a 79 GMC 3500, it's a good solid core, about as good as it gets around here. Going to clean it up, add seat cover and install for now. I'll get it redone once my truck passes inspection. ( still have lots to do for that to happen)

[TKCR]

That looks like a good seat, good find!!

[3x2GTO]

[QUOTE=TKCR;8278078]That looks like a good seat, good find!![/QUOTe Worked outside all and almost burst into flames a couple of times, but I Just finished installing the seat and a good passenger door from a K5. The seat made a big difference, I can actually see over the dash again!! Hopefully have another truck day sometime in July.

[Pontiac1976]

Yes I be leave the 73-80 bottom foam are more denser then the 81-87 bottom foam.
The spring in the 73-80 have a harder bounce back then the 81-87 because little more softer bounce back. What I find, I did like the my old 77 seat better the 84 I put in. for the firm and the bounce in the bottom. The seat is part of the suspension in the 1973-87 trucks of these years. If your suspension is set heavy duty the seat is even more part of the suspension recovery for you body.