The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Adding Seats in the BED???

This might seem like a really silly question, but has anyone added seating in the bed of there truck for parades or such? I see a lot of people that try to crouch and hold on in the back, but I will not let anyone in the back of mine while driving it. That being said, if there were an easy manner to fab up and install a bench seat for 'temporary' use that might make a lot of family members happy about my truck. Naturally I also would expect to install seat belts and want something with headrests....

Anyone done this/ seen this/ heard of this for a 57 3100? Thanks

I've never seen it done but how about a back seat from a Suburban or Astro van. The seats even have the inboard seatbelts mounted to the seat! You would have to drill holes to mount it or perhaps use the bed mount bolts somehow. Just my 2 cents worth. Good Luck

Hey there 57
Honestly, if your looking for temporary "seats" for the family/friends in parades here is my idea..
If you place seats in the back up against the cab of the truck you can get 2 MaAAAAAaaybe 3 people to fit there. Beings your truck is a short bed, I would place 2 benches (one on either side) that run the length of your bed. Nice wood that is presentable. I would also place some material (that felt type) along the sides/bottoms as to not damage your paint job/bed. My idea is a "park bench" style. So you have a back for your fellow riders to rest their backs on.
I wouldnt drill holes. If you make it properly you can get it in there nice and snug up against the bed/tail gate. And if your carrying people in the back in a parade, "speeding" to the point of "falling out" shouldnt be done. I think that is the best way. It is removable, and wont damage your truck.
What I have done (for fun) is lawn chairs. We piled a bunch of ole ladies on my flat bed trailer (red hatters) and in the bed of my truck. We used lawn chairs in my truck and hay bales on the trailer. Worked great!
AND I have had lawn chairs in the back of my truck for 4th of july shows. We drive around from show to show with the coolers in the back and holden our beer's and hats down.
Now, for "driving" mode. Your looking at 2 bucket seats, bolted down, backed up against the cab of your truck with seat belts. This "I" think should only be done if your goal is to haul people around for more then just a simple parade.
Good luck, let us know what ya come up with!

Man, just get some folding lawn chairs.. or get fancy and pick up some high end picnic table chairs.

Folks around here just put a couple of hay bales in the bed and let the parade riders sit on those.

I mean, it's a parade.. ain't like you're the pace car for the Indy 500.

bean bag chairs

Milk crates work well.

Remember a Subaru Scat? Those backward seats are perfect with built in headrest,seatbelts and weather resisitent(almost)and most importantly, the right width,.I've seen some locally in our recent Memorial Day parade.

How 'bout something like dis?

Picture 1

Picture 2

Now how kewl is dat?

Subaru Brat pickup w/seats

Pic speaks for itself. If you read German, you have a nice Subaru club link!

I've seen firetrucks with bench seating in the hosebed. It seems like a good option. I've not got that far yet...

Wow, I knew you guys would come up with some creative ideas! You know if I put something with a canopy I am never gonna get them out of the back of that truck!!!

That,s a no can do in California. Too many lawyers ruin the fun for all.

Came across this and thought if you just have to put seats in the bed then this is how I would want to do it.
http://www.carconnectionsd.com/blazer_pages/pics_pages/simons72/3a_interiorpics.html