The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Retrofit Center Armrest in Original Seat?

Has anyone ever retrofitted a fold down center arm rest into an original seat frame? I've seen fixed center armrests/consoles, and of course plenty of whole seat replacements but it would be interesting to do something that looks and feels like it came with the truck. Will work on creating something if someone else hasn't already invented this particular bit.

What year and model truck?

I love my igloo “little kool rest”. I got a old maroon one that fits the factory interior perfectly. I agree a center console for armrest/storage is a must.

** my door panel in the pic was brown but its now covered in the same material as the seat so it all blends nicely.

'49 3600

I would think that the simple seat frame in the AD series would be easy to put a fold down armrest into, but getting it to look like it belongs probably takes a good eye for design. You'd like something that would make people say, "Hey! I didn't know they had an armrest option in 1949!" ;-P

I hope we see additional examples for armrest/storage ideas.

Barnfind49's example is a possible option. It came in different color combinations. It looks like they are not still in production (from the 60s-70s?). Several are listed on eBay and on Pinterest.

Couldn't find a Barnfind49 example. Was that a fold down that was installed into/inside of the seat back?

Go to Amazon and search for "bench seat consoles" and you will get some ideas.

https://www.amazon.com/Bench-Seat-Consoles/b?node=15735471

I have a four speed; I expect that a console would interfere with shifting gears.

I’ll let you know about the Rampage unit. I bought one today.

The Rampage unit arrived today - $36 delivered (via eBay - Amazon Prime would have been around $48/delivered)
New In Box
Free Shipping

It fits the length of the the stock front seat in my Suburban.
It is a little darker gray than my seat tops - no problem.
It is weighted - on the bottom - this will help to hold it in place.

I am completely satisfied with this product.
I'll try to remember to take/post a few photos of it in my Suburban.

Do you have a 4 speed in the Suburban?

Hmm . . .
Is that a trick question?
RPO 318

I do not want to say/admit this - I gave up on trying to get the 3-speed to not get stuck-in-gear (back in 1973/1974).
I know better now.

Yes, I have a 4-speed in my 1954 Chevrolet Suburban.
That 4-speed makes it impossible to have a middle front-seat passenger.

I just wanted to know if you could operate the 4 speed OK with the new console in place; I was thinking it might get in the way.

No interference with my SM420 shifter rod/handle.

Thanks!

Consoles are great as consoles go, but a fold down armrest design is what I seek.

I would take a look at the armrest in the 2001 Buick Lesabre. I have the complete seat but I would think the arm rest could be adapted. It is a fold down. Other GM cars of the same era have the arm rest. It would mean cutting the seat back and making a frame around the hole to reweld the seat back springs to.A sample but there are others.

I had a F@#d ranger that had a center arm rest, it was mounted to the drivers seat much like a seat belt would. As Ron has said it would take some modifying of the seat frame to make it look and function correctly. It would be a great addition though.

I have very simular seats in my 54 great for long trips and has shoulder belts built in to the seats.

Attached are photos of the Rampage Storage box in my 1954 Suburban (standard seats).
The color is Charcoal

There is no interference with the SM420 shifter rod (in any gear).

The base is made to provide a little friction (to keep it from sliding/moving).
The box is "weighted" to keep it from sliding off.
The drink holders are adjustable.

The CD/DVD storage area is not removable.
I wish the CD/DVD storage box could be removed.

It is better than I expected it to be.
It is also a nice arm rest.

I bought ii on eBay for about $35.00 new-in-box/shipped.
It is regularly listed on eBay for up to $65.00
I am pleased/satisfied.

Nice.

Now if only it could fold down out of the seat back . . .

I agree

But, that would require a completely new/different seat back?

I don't think so. Shouldn't we be able to retrofit an armrest with a surrounding mounting/frame into the existing seatback? Make it look like it came with the truck in 1949.

I'm not an interior pro, so maybe this is just wishful thinking .. .