The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Suburban Interior

I've got a 53 Suburban, mid way through rodding, and I'm trying to figure out how to do th einterior. I favor a more stock setup, but not sure about the practicality of that for longer trips.

My biggest question is: what have you seen used as front seat arrangements so as to allow for access (like the original) to the rear 2 passenger seat and to the third row of seating. I'd like to have seating, when completed, for 6 or 7.

Thanks, for the thoughts.

If you have the original seats, they work fine for 8 people. Of course, the longest trip that I took with 8 people in the original seats was to a Grateful Dead concert 500 miles each way to Atlanta in 1970.

No one complained about the trip.

Glad to see another Suburban going back on the road! Some things to consider when putting this back on the road, most likely it will be more powerful and faster. Consider reinforcing the way the stock seats are attached and allow for seat belts. Some have installed three point seat belts in the front, be careful when making your connection that the material will hold an impact.

One thing that I am going to improve on is the front jump seat, It does not have a catch system to prevent it from going forward when you slam on the brakes, something that concerns me. I have looked at later model seats from blazers and Jeeps and will attempt to make a system similar to those and other two seaters.

I would check with an upholstery shop for what type of modern materials that they can use to make your seats more comfortable on long trips. They may use new springs and then install a moulded foam and material on top.

Have you checked into using modern seats with the integral seat belts? Lot's of manufacturers have gone to this style and I considered them too. I have seen the later suburban front buckets and rear seats installed and they look nice. there are lot's of them to choose from, including material or leather.

If you choose to use the original frames in the front. If you are tall, consider moving them back a few inches if needed for legroom. I have not seen this but I will make that determination when I get mine that far. The front jump seat may be a problem if it does not move forward enough to let the passengers in.

Good luck and post some pictures!

The biggest problem I'm having with this is finding seats that have the 60/40 slider. S10 2 door blazers are an option but I'm not fond of those seats. There just not sturdy-feeling. I had an 89 blazer for 8 years.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks for the thoughts. If I could find an original set of seats, or even the front and second seat, I think that's the route I'd take to begin with. There is one set for $1500 that need to be redone. I'm considering those. But, I do want to be able to travel (usually my wife and I and the dog for longer trips) 300 to 400 miles in a day and be reasonably comfortable.

Because of the original seats not being readily available and because I'm not sure how they'd hold up to an 8 hour day on the road, I'm also trying to figure out what seats might work to allow rear passengers to get in on the passenger side. Current Tahoe and Suburban second seats with the jump seat discarded will work well for the second seat and the third row seat will also work well. The issue is the front row. I wonder if anyone has used a second row Tahoe seat with the flip seat for access to the third row of seating as a front seat for a Burb. The newer Tahoes and Suburban seats do flip all the way forward in a way similar to the original 53 Burb, but those seats are not as deep as the regular front seats in a modern suburban and they dont have any sliders to allow position adjustment.

My question is how to install these modern seats with the Burb wooden floor. Most of these seats are made to slot inside a metal track. I'm guessing you could cut the track out of the doner vehicle and weld it into place. Has anyone ever done this? What is your plan Tom?

As I understand it, the original seats are designed to fit into the slot on the plates that mount onto/into the plywood floor and then to have a bolt and wingnut through them to hold them in place. I have not studied this (nor do I have the set of plates to put back in my floor) since my thinking is to find modern seats that will do the job.

I have come up with one idea. Dodge Durango seats for three row seating Durangos may be a possibility. The second row seat could be used for the front seat (two buckets with a fold down center console that acts as an additional seat when in the up position). Both the driver and passenger side seats flip forward on a front mounted bar similarly to the original passenger seat. The third row seat would make a nice third row. And, a second set of second row buckets with the center console portion removed would provide two buckets in the second row and both would flip forward for storage.

I have seen and measured these seats and I think they would work. The second row seat in the Durango isn't as nice as the forst row, but it is probably nicer and more comfortable than the original front row seat. I still have some measuring to do as to the height that these seats would have to be mounted.

What I was hoping is that someone who had rodded a burb and used alternative seating would share what they did so I wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel.

Again, thinks for the input.

I use 95 - 99 chevy extended cab bucket seats for the front and same year suburban second seat for the rear. The extended cab seats slide forward to allow entry to the rear.

Ron,
How do passengers get into the back of the Panel other than through the rear doors. I have a 48 Panel as well and it has Riveria buckets with a center consle, but there's now way into the back except through the rear barn doors.

Subman,
I like the idea of a seat that slides forward enough to allow entry into the back. How much track do you see exposed when the seat is slid forward?

Anybody got any thoughts on my use of the folding second row seats out of a Durango?

Anybody know where I could pick up a set of stock seats?

The floor in my 49 sub does not rise up in back, it is flat all the way to the rear doors. I have the original seats and am planning on putting them back in but I think in a crash all the rear seats would rip out of the wood floor. Also late model seats with integral belts in a crash I think would rip out of the wood floor also. I guess the answer is don't crash. Weeds

I was thinking about a Dodge Durango as well. We had a Town & Country and those were the MOST comfortable and well designed seats I have ever experienced (more comfortable than our 2000 Caddy). Problem is they don't make a 2 door so the front seats don't slide forward. Subman what year Burb did you install the 95-99 ext cab seats? I heard they where too wide for the Task Force model.

I am using six front buckets out of a lexus rx330 suv in my 62 burb first row with a center console secnd and third row with a walkway and overhead console. The front pass seat will be on tracks with a moterized screw to move the seat all the way forward into the dash to allow easy entry and exit the only thing I havent figured out yet is how to lock the seat in when driving, thinking maybe a seat lock mech from a venture or astro van with solinoids to release it. The lexus seats fit real nice with ample room for a walk way integrated arm rests 8 way power adjustments and heat.

Have you designed the track system yet. If so, I'd love to see what you're planning. If the seat doesn't flip forward, then a track is the next logical choice, but I haven't found any standard track systems that would move forward enough.

It is still in the enginering stage but what I am thinking is doubleing the tracks so it will move like a full extension drawer slide

Im thinking about using seats out of a full size blazer . That way it slides forward to get in the back. Tom

Tom, my reply got lost so I'll start over! I've been thinking about the seats in my '49 Sub for some time too. My plan today is to use the complete floor section from a Chrysler mini van (cut out to make a handicap conversion) Its pretty close to the right size and has the recessed mounts for the center and rear seats. I have put the seats from my '99 T&C in my Sub and they look good, and are the right size. The plan is to move the passenger second seat to the front position because it flops forward allowing acess to the rear. As mentioned earlier full size Blazer works the same. I've seen some on a track that slide forward but then you have the track where your feet would go. Another reason to use the mini floor is a solid mount for the seat frames and seat belts. I used to build conversion vans back in the day and we always used a strap of 1/4" steel or large diameter very thick washers under steel floors to ensure seats didn't come out during a crash, I can't even imagine that plywood floor! I've looked on LKC salvage online and their seat prices are pretty decent, around $500 for a complete seat in leather with full power. Many sets from Tahoes, Sub, Escalades and expeditions too. Someone mentioned earlier Durangos.

Good luck on your project, hope to see pictures too!

Inuke
'49 Sub
'49 Fleetline

I have been using 95-99 chevy extended-cab seats. They bolt flat and have the slider on the pass side to allow acess to the rear compartment. I have used these on a 53, 57, and 72 sub and they work fine.f I also used the second seat from same year sub or blazer with my 72. hopoe this helps Puddlejumper

For what it's worth, my former ambulance 52 GMC carryall has bucket sets up front. The pass seat is hinged at the front and has a latch mechanism on the seat back to lock it down when not tilted forward. It tilts forward enough to allow egress to the back.

I have a 1951 burb and I purchased 6-way electric buckets for $300 in perfect condition. I researched the web and came up with Jeep Wrangler seat risers. The original seat calls for about 10 inches to allow access to the rear and the risers alone collapse forward 10 inches. Then if I need more I can use the electrics to slide the seat further forward. Now this is in theory since I haven't install them yet. When I make the install, I'll try and post pics. I'm new at this and haven't even posted a pic of my baby. Good luck, /////////

well here is a thought, I have a 61 burb, I'm keeping my original seats as well. However, if I were going to change the seating setup. A number of the small Coupes, IE Cavalier and such have the passengers seat on slides. once the seat is broke forward it slides even futher forward to allow rear seat access. I'm not saying to go with the seats as much as I'm saying that the seat tracks may be useful in trying to move the passenger side seat forward for access.... This is only a theory....

Regards...