I want to replace the seats that came in the 38 Ford truck I bought a month ago. The previous owner installed some seats from an s10 or ranger. They definitely don't match the car, but the worst part is they are very uncomfortable for me. I am very tall, so the top of the back rest pushes me forward. I would like a low back bucket seat. Not really interested in going back to a bench seat. Has anyone tried the Speedway Motors Low Back Hot Rod seat? They look comfy, but I am worried about their fitment in the small cab of the 38. Of course, I have to show pictures of the truck.
Don't know any good seats but try taking your current seats, strip off the fabric and foam and the modify the frame work. You can eliminate the built in head rest those ranger seats have then any good upholstery shop can recover them. The frame work is typically steel and can easily be welded and customized to your imagination!
Small cab ... father in-law used an '83 S10 bench (in a '47 Ford P-up ... same basic cab I think), narrowed the front edge (forward edge) of the seat bottom and had the seat recovered. He likes it (no pics, not my truck and it's not here right now). Part of the problem with getting a seat to sit low is the stock gas tank location. I do know that you said you don't want a bench seat ... just p***ing on what worked for the father in-law.
The '38-'39 cab is totally different from '40-'47 cabs but the interior dimensions are the same, so any seat that would work in a '40-'47 would work in a '38-'39. If you want buckets that are not too wide, have a thin back, and are a low-back design, probably your best bet is early Mustang buckets or some '60s van front seats. I have a '38 pickup, and I'm 6' 5" 260#, so I feel your pain on needing a seat with a thin back in order to have enough room. I adapted the back seat out of an '89 Ford Tempo for my truck.
The stock gas tank has been relocated. It is under the bed of the truck with the filler in one of the fenders. I am considering on modifying the stock seat, which would increase comfort but would not be a thin back rest, which I would love to have. KrisKustomPaint - What are glides? Trebe11 - I checked them out. Pretty expensive for frames. And the frames are not that fancey.
These came out of the back of a Mazda SUV. I'm 5'10" and I sit pretty erect in them. There really isn't much room to swing your feet out when entering or exiting either. Once I'm in though, they aren't bad. I had a set of buckets out of a Kia in originally and they were just to thick backed to work. I also have a set of buckets out of an MG B that would fit very nicely. MG seats are fairly narrow and have a low back so they can sit farther aft. Nice truck. That's a '39 grille you know.
What seats are these: This dude on cardomain has them in his 37 Ford: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3858208/1937-ford-f150-regular-cab
May not be much help, but I put a Glide Engineering bench seat in my 36 pickup. Its very confortable for a 6 ft guy. Look at their website, they have many seat configurations that might fit your need.
What's the problem? Those seats go with that billet **** and the tilt wheel,PERFECT!!!! I'd leave it,hahaha!
If ya want something unique or a combo of different style seats give me a call. Heck for that matter if ya want a stock looking seat I can help ya with that kind of frame as well. For a 37 thru 47 Ford truck the seat back top width should be around 48", about 26" tall from the floor, about 22" deep, and the seat base should be around 39" across.
I used the 80's S-10 in mine with the narrowed front edge to clear the doors. I'm 5'10" and fits me fine. I'm doing the same combo in my 40 pickup project. The steering column has been changed since this photo to a 40 Car column and wheel.