which bench seat is best? 75? 80? 81?

[pgreensoup]

Hi,

My 15 year old son and I just got a hold of a 1975 Moss Gold C10. (Time is ticking to get this ready for his first vehicle). We’ve got quite a few things to work on, but we’d really like to reupolster the seat right away. We need some advice from folks who have some experience in this area. We actually have reupolstered a 74 VW Beetle before, so our questions are more specific to Chevy.

We have the option to use 1 of 3 bench seats. The seat from the truck, which appears to be a 1975, a seat from a 1980, and a seat from a 1981. I’ll put the details about each seat down below followed by our questions, but our main question is which seat should we use? I know there are folks on here who know the various seats and differences well, hoping to get your thoughts.

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1975

• does not fold
• some broken springs need repair
• foam needs replaced or repaired

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1980

• folds, and has a latch mechanism to lock upright.
• springs look good (same type as 75)
• foam needs replaced or repaired

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1981

• folds, but does not appear to have a latch mechanism (it is currently not in a cab)
• springs look good (different style springs than 75 and 80)
• foam needs replaced or repaired
• slots for seat belts

Questions:

Is one of these “better” than the others? Why?
Is one of these more comfortable - assuming I purchase new molded foam?
Thoughts on the 81 folding? Missing a part? (I see other folks saying this is what they were like in 81)
Is one of these easier to work on? The 75 will require additional work on springs at the least.
What other question should I be asking?
I realize I first need to make sure the 80 and the 81 tracks will bolt in before I attempt to use either of those.

 

[Grit dog]

Nope they’re the same with respect to size and seating position. And frankly the 77 seat feels the same as the 86 seat. Because they’re the same. Springs and foam will decide how nice it feels.
The rest is personal preference if you have all 3 versions. No fold, fold with latch, fold with no latch.
Let’s see the truck! That is an awesome classic color. One of my favorites!

 

[Grit dog]

Although I LOVE the ‘81 I think it is special stripe pattern. Can’t find that stuff anymore. I was attempting to get my upholsterer to sew one up like that and he just laughed and asked how much I wanted to spend because he’d be sewing for a week!
Also learned something valuable from him. Said you never want “raised” surfaces running F to R that protrude at all. (Picture overlaying stripes on top of the base material without sewing them In flush.) Said your pants pockets will catch on them every time you get in and out and tear the seat up in no time.

 

[TotalyHucked]

^As Todd said, just pick whichever you like. They're all essentially the same. If the springs are in good shape, the foam thickness/firmness will determine comfort.

I would personally want one of the folding seats cuz I keep junk back there. My '85 doesn't latch, never been an issue and is nice to just grab the seat back and pull it forward without fumbling for a latch

 

[edgephoto]

I am currently restoring my truck and am waiting on everything to rebuild my seats. New foam is inbound.

For the seat bottom I went with American Cushion Industries ordered from National Part Depot. This company only makes the bottom foam for my year. I have not ordered the backrest foam just yet. Still deciding where to get that from.

I wish I could get the original cloth seat covers but they are long since discontinued and no reproduction or NOS ones could be located. I removed my covers and sent them to Lseat.com and they are using my covers as a pattern and will make me new ones in genuine leather. I have not got them yet to give a review but so far they are responsive and things look good. You might want to check them out as their prices are real good. They are in Texas.

 

[pgreensoup]

Thanks all! I'll probably go with the 81 folding seat then (assuming it fits).

I'm going with LMC upholstery. Interested in thoughts on LMC upholstery, as well as wether I should go all vinyl, or do the velour/vinyl.

and for @Grit dog here is a photo, and more to come once I start a project thread (and do some buffing).

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[AuroraGirl]

higher trim seats had more foam and comfort
I am not sure how much it was compared to lower trim, but it was some difference they felt worthy of marketing

 

[TotalyHucked]

My vote would be the velour seat. I HATE vinyl seats with a passion lol. They're cold AF in the winter time and hot AF in the summer time and I sweat in them no matter what

 

[edgephoto]

My vote is genuine cowhide leather. Doesn't get dirty like velour, is not as hot or cold as vinyl.

 

[Turbo4whl]

About the folding seat backs, the early year squares had lap seat belts. Later years had lap and shoulder seat belts. With out shoulder belts, a folding seat would push a person forward in a frontal accident.

Seat belts, your '75 has type "A" seat belt buckles. the retractor is non locking. Pull the retractor all the way out, then take the slack with the buckle side.

Shoulder belts have type "B" buckles with impact locking retractors. I would use the folding seat with the lock if you are keeping the original, lap only type A seat belts.

In rare accidents the type "B" buckles have disconnected on impact. GM could not afford to recall all the vehicles with type B buckles. The few law suite settlements was way cheaper than the huge recall.

 

[Steelbuddha]

I would say the "best" seat is the one with the newest foam. It can make a world of difference.

Great project truck, BTW. I hope that paint will buff up for you.

 

[WesN]

81 velour, it folds forward without any latch.

 

[Long Rider]

"I'm going with LMC upholstery. Interested in thoughts on LMC upholstery, as well as whether I should go all vinyl, or do the velour/vinyl."

I have done both vinyl and velour/vinyl from LMC, I am very happy with both but prefer the velour/vinyl. Get quality foam again I have done several trucks with the LMC products. When deciding on which seat if the springs are good on both be sure that the one you chose has the heavy wire that goes from the drivers side lever that allows the seat to move back and forth.
Helpful hint...Whatever you use you will find it much MUCH easier to pull the upholstery over the foam if you lay a couple of giant size plastic trash bags over the foam then pull the pre sewn covers over the foam. It will go on much faster and then you can pull the trash bags back out.

 

[75gmck25]

I installed new seat foam and velour upholstery on my ‘75 a couple of months ago. Found one broken spring on the drivers side and had to fix it by welding a barrel connector over the two broken ends. It explains why the old seat always felt like it tilted the driver to the left.

Seat cushion cover was a real PIA to get over the new cushion, but the back cushion was much easier. New seat cushion is also so cushy and so much taller that I had to adjust the steering wheel tilt up so it would clear my legs. I assume it will eventually break in and compress down a little more. Velour cover and new cushion feels great.