I have a Chrysler mini-van 3rd row seat to put in the 46 1/2 ton. After removing all the bottom hardware and sliding bracket what is left are two vertical steel supports towards the seat ends. The supports are roughly 6 inches tall and 15 inches long. The seat needs to be 15 inches off the floor at its front.
So the question is what to use to make a "T" configured bracket that bolts to the floor and through the seat support. Aluminum or steel? What thickness? How wide at the base for the T bracket to spread load?
Seat weight is 65 lbs., me 190, my wife 135.
Unlike most everything else on this ongoing project, I would like to get it right the first time.

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46 1/2 ton with 56 292:thumbsup:

Hey 46yblock I would like to see a pic of your seat if at all possible. I don't quite understand what you mean by a T bracket, other than the obvious. I would definatley use steel. I never use aluminum for seat brackets, and where I believe you are using the factory belts which are part of the seat you want them in there good.

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Message received on the steel. Just got some new rechargeable batteries. When they are charged I will post a pic, later tonight.
Mike

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46 1/2 ton with 56 292:thumbsup:

Something else to consider is the floor in your truck now. I had a 32 ford come into the shop before needing a new seat. I found the metal in the floor to be to thin to support the seat correctly. The owner didn't want to get into putting another floor in so what we did was build a frame for the seat out of 1x1 under the car and welded it to the frame. Then made new brackets for the seat which lined up with the new seat frame underneath the car. The owner was very impressed with how much sturdier the seat felt and it made a real clean install, even from under the car.

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tbolt,
I have tried over the last 2 hours to get the picture posted. Somehow I changed it to an incompatable format. Anyway, I think based upon your first two posts the plan is going to change, and my idea was a little too easy.
Thanks much for the advice!

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46 1/2 ton with 56 292:thumbsup:

If it is any easier 46yblock you can send me a pic @ rottieboyz@hfx.eastlink.ca
I wouldn't mind taking a look to see if I may be able to help design a bracket for your seat.

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gotta love a pro street

rottieboyZ ?????

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Down the two lane blacktop.
Oldskool Is Kool :thumbsup:
Ford Man From Way Back



Check out: hotrodhotline.com for my pictures.

My wife and I love our other boys the rotties Harley and Caleb. Sadly we had to put Harley(the one on the right) down 3 weeks ago. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

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It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
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I understand too well. I was faced with that decision 3 or 4 years ago with one of our Pyrennes who was hit by a stock trailer. She had gone through the gate and was chasing the truck pulling the trailer on the highway in front of the street. I just couldnt do it. Instead we paid a small fortune and she is half her former self.
Back on subject, I'll give the picture another go later today. Professional help would be great. I'll go out and shoot some shots of the existing cab floor also.
The picture problem comes in when I take the giant pics and try to get them reduced in size. This camera has a setting that should be able to do that automatically so will try that.

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46 1/2 ton with 56 292:thumbsup:

Here are three pictures I hope. The shroud on the cab floor surrounded the gas tank, which had two mounts on the wrap around and one at the rear. The shroud will have to come out. It is riveted and welded to the floor about every 1.5 to 2 inches.
The temp seating I'm trying to replace was a piece of plywood on top of the shroud, bucket bottoms bolted to the plywood, and a bench back bolted to the outside of the buckets. It weighed 5 lbs more than this Chrysler seat.

Attached Images

   

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46 1/2 ton with 56 292:thumbsup:

I think one of the hardest parts of this is that the seat is going to be sitting on 15"s of bracket. Making a bracket is one thing but seeing how it is going to be visible when the door is open it will have to be visually appealing. Now you could build a bracket and cover it with stainless or polished aluminum. I myself would almost try to recreate a factory look. One option is if the factory shroud is tall enough you could build a bracket to fit inside of it. If not once you build a bracket take sheetmetal and form it around it. I would round the corners just like the one you have.

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