i want to go to the junk yard and get a new bench seat for my 97 ranger. what is a good source for good bench seats? can i just use the back seats of a explorer? i would like to do a direct bolt in if possible because i do not have many tools. thanks for any help.

 

I just put mustang buckets in my 99 using tracks from an explorer with almost no modifications to the tracks. So I don't see why you couldn't, but I'm not sure about your year.

 

i would like to keep the bench seat in my truck. i know i can switch to bucket seats. will it work if i just use back seats from a car that is a direct bolt in wit hthe front seats

 

if you are talking about a solid bench, not a 60/40, gen 2 and 3 (89-97) rangers would be the only bolt in (and matching Mazda b series) bench seat. s10 benches can be made to work, but require drilling holes. explorer back seats aren't a solid bench, and they aren't made in a way to be used as a front seat. no tracks, they fold down to lay flat.

what is wrong with the one in your truck?

 

the drivers side of my seat is torn up and the padding is partially gone and springs are going bad. i have a solid becnh in my truck right now but i would be fine with a 60/40 bench. i do have a drill so i could make some holes but i wouldnt like to have to make it where i have to make a whole new seat bracket. i would like a seat with good back support because i have a crack in my spine.

 

if you were closer, i would love to have that bench. it can be repaired, springs, foam and all. a good shop will get it back to new condition, and could also add padding to the backrest to get it fit you perfect.

to put a 60/40 in, you are going to have to get the seat tracks from the same generation and type of cab you have. i know it's a reg cab (ext cabs didn't get solid bench) but without knowing what year, i can't narrow it down anymore. you will have to drill two holes per seat, on the inside near the trans tunnel. the outside two should line up and be your guide.

 

i have a 97 ranger . do you know how much it will cost to get the seat re done at a shop. if it less than a new seat than i think i will just do that. and most likley get a better seat cover than the one i have right now from walmart. if i were to get the seat re done would they take off all the fabric that is on it or would they just replaced the ruined part?

 

looking around a couple hundred for a complete recover. however, a shop should be willing to go in an replace just what's bad, assuming the rest of the seat is still in good shape. it may be just as worth while to redo the whole thing. buying new seats would probably be cheaper in the long run, but if you can't find anything that fits you well, then it wouldn't be worth it.

so a 60/40 from a 92-97 would be your options. however, if you get a set of bucket or 60/40 seat tracks, then you can do mustang, explorer, bronco II, t-bird, etc. all those will bolt to the tracks, and the tracks will bolt in on the outside, and drilling two holes for the inside.

 

ok thank you very much for your help. i think i will just end up replacing my seats once i get a job. i think i will probaly put in another solid bench and get a nice seat cover if it dosent match my truck. i think i will have my friend help me mount them because he knows more about cars/trucks than me. thanks again.

 

any idea on how much it would cost to replace all the padding and springs on just the drivers side. i was quoted at 500 for a complete recovery which is to expensive for me. i think i might just attempt a self repair with a really dense piece of foam and get a wet okole seat cover.

 

why don't you go to a junkyard and grab a full seat for like 50 bucks?

 

$500 for a solid bench is a little high. we do full size truck benches for around $400. i do benches here for less than that. I have two sitting here waiting for me to get around to them. if you were closer, i would love to recover and trade etc.

 

how much would it be just to have the drivers side replaced and leave the rest of the bench alone. only seat i can find from a junk yard dosent fit my truck and its $200. i called around to the different upholstery places around here and found that 500 was the best price i could get.

 

i would think in the $200-250 range. i wish you were closer, i could help you out. post up a pic of the problem area. generally on a ranger bench, the springs don't really go bad. normally, the metal wires start to cut through the foam. i've seen those metal wires broken from time to time, but it doesn't happen that much.

i would pull the seat out, take the back rest frame off, pull the bottom cover off and find some carpet padding or even old carpet (a small piece of plywood may work as well), glue it to the bottom of the problem area, then see if you can get a piece of 1" foam. glue it to the top where you sit, then put the cover back on. it won't be perfect, but it's something you can do and be a lot cheaper than having a shop do it.

 

i would like to get a new seat but i cant find any in any of the local junk yards. im going to get a thick piece of foam this week. than cut up the ripped fabric and replace it . thats a great idea with the plywood i think i will try that. once i finish the inside i will purchase a wet okole seat cover to give the seat a finished look.

 

i just got a new 60/40 seat. installed it today they look great. just have to figure out how to take of the lid because its damaged and dosent shut.

 

not to correct you in your own profession troy, but a 92 seat wouldn't bolt into his ranger, or so goes my logic... the 92 was still the first gen cab and the 93-97 was the second gen cab(third gen ranger)...

BTW i'm now on this forum as well as RPS...

and i would take troy's advice... he does great work... he got one of his benches from me when he helped me swap my bench for a 60/40...

OOPS! i see now that a solution has already been reached...

 

may have been a typo.

 

it's all good...