Question on replacing drivers seat

[The-Breeze]

Is there anything special we have to pay attention to, such as being able to use the existing pedestal.

A lot of the seats I've been running into are just the seats & no base plus it seems that the pedestal in the bus is a lot higher than any I've seen coming out of a car or truck.

We really don't want to have to pull up the old & drill new holes to retrofit another seat.

 

[EastCoastCB]

cut the pedestal down to a comfortable level and mount your new seat to it.

 

[somewhereinusa]

Wrecking yards for semis, or here for swivel seat pedestal in different heights.
- Swivel Pedestal for Captains Chair - Price: $50.00 - Factory RV Surplus - 1611 W Bristol St, Elkhart, IN 46514 (800) 325-1461 (574) 262-3327

 

[EastCoastCB]

Why do so MANY RV parts come from Elkhart?

Nice find, the swivel base is cool. Will look around my local wrecking yards for something similar.

 

[somewhereinusa]

Why do so MANY RV parts come from Elkhart?

Elkhart is the RV capitol of the world. Pretty much all industry is RV related. Building them, making parts for them, hauling them. There are also a lot of RV surplus places in the area. At least 10 that I can think of, their inventory is constantly changing. You can spend more than 1 day wandering around getting ideas and buying stuff.

All of my windows, sinks,waste and fresh tanks, floor,microwave,fridge,and a lot of small stuff came from the salvage places.

I used one of the swivel pedestals for my passenger seat, the seat came out of some Pontiac mini van. Munsywumsy loves it.

Dick

 

[EastCoastCB]

That's what I figured, I knew it had to be some sort of "rv capital".

 

[somewhereinusa]

Most of the major RV manufacturers are headquartered there. Most US based RV companys are owned by two, maybe three parent companys. Thor and Birkshire Hathaway, I'm not sure if Jayco is a parent company or a subsidiary of someone else.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Ah, they build em there and they end up here!

 

[Tango-SKO]

I found a combination swivel and slide base at a boat supply that I am using in conjunction with a standard auto base. Now I can slide side-to-side as well as fore & aft and rotate the seat for use as my Lazy Boy when docked.

 

[Scooternj]

I'm probably only going to have one swivel on SWMBO's seat, but replace my pedestal with a suspension system- either pneumatic or mechanical- and *definitely* something more...comfortable, and with armrests

 

[nat_ster]

Nothing good is easy.

Rip out the old seat, go to pick and pull, find a nice seat you like out of a high end car, pay the few $$ for it, go home, drill some holes, and install it.

And forget any of that RV crap. It's nothing but over priced crap.

Nat

 

[Crazy]

Elkhart is the RV capitol of the world.

Dick

Correction. Elkhart is the RV capitol of the UNIVERSE!

 

[somewhereinusa]

go home, drill some holes, and install it

Obviously you didn't read the OP, even my second option entails some welding and floor drilling. Car and PU seats aren't tall enough. The only real option without redrilling would be an air seat out of a semi. Not everyone can do the fabrication that you do.

forget any of that RV crap. It's nothing but over priced crap.

For the most part I agree, the particular item I pointed to is well made. I don't recommend crap.

 

[milkmania]

Why do so MANY RV parts come from Elkhart?

Nice find, the swivel base is cool. Will look around my local wrecking yards for something similar.

back in the early 80's I worked for a Gelcoat company in Fort Smith AR.... our primary plant was in Elkhart, apparently they were putting a lot of fiberglass on something!

Supplied a lot of Gelcoat for Ranger Boats in Flippin AR
and a lot went to Lasco, (showers & tubs) but I don't recall where they were located.
PolyStyrene and Acetone fumes made me forget a lot

 

[The-Breeze]

Tango...I went that route, I searched high & low for a used BENNINGTON PONTOON seat as there was one at the dock where we kept our boat and I fell madly in love with any seat off that boat.

Brand new them suckers go for big $$$$$$ and used were non-existant.

Nat, I like your concept and if we lived or were anywhere close by you we would gladly stop by and have you place whatever seat we choose into the drivers area.

Hubby can weld, but he doesn't own one and is real skittish about borrowing. Seems he's had to replace something he borrowed after it **** the bed when he was using and is a little leary about going that rout again with out the owner present....and no, he has already had to buy quite a few new tools to replace the dinosaurs that went extinct when putting them to the challenge of a bus.

Thanks EastCoast for reiterating my original question.

 

[EastCoastCB]

You guys could drive down and use my new Hobart mig...
I'd even grill yall some steaks and let you try some local whiskey.

 

[M1031A1]

I'm going air ride captain's chair. BEST of both worlds.....

Bostrom Wide Ride Hi Back in Black/Gray Cloth with Dual Arms

 

[EastCoastCB]

Goin HIGH CLASS!? Dang thems fancy!
I'm going to see what I can find used for cheap or free.
If not-
I've got a line on some Jetta seats out of a 2013. They're really comfy.

 

[M1031A1]

Having been a trucker with almost 2 million miles experience I've learned it's worth the extra money to have a good back and shoulders after the trip is done. Just my opinion after all those years of driving.

 

[EastCoastCB]

10 4
Lots of miles on the ole superslab, eh?