anyone have pictures or some ideas on how I can build seat swivels? I am putting some cheap lo-back racing buckets in my truck and it would be great if they swivelled 60 degrees or so. I know some Buicks and Lo-rider type cars had them but I've never seen them up close to see how they worked.
Mid seventies Malibu, Cutlass, Regals had them I believe. They were high back buckets but if you could find a pair of trashed ones the bases would work on about anything I would think.
A lot of old vans had swivel captains chairs. Motorhomes as well. These swivel bases just bolt on the bottom of the seats. They have a lever to lock them in a forward position.
I`ve seen the piece that you need at Lowes, it`s just 2 plates with ball bearings between them. I used to have a 75 Laguna S3 that had swivels. Lots of Chevelles and Monte`s had them also.
being that I used to hang around alot of lowrider types, I can tell you how I always saw them built "back in the day". 1. find a steel trash can. 2. cut it into the shape of a bucket seat. 3. have said trashcan upplsterd(sp). 4. find the bigest lazy susan you can. 5. bolt to bottom of new "seat" 6. bolt "seat to frame and bolt frame into car. I left out a few of the things like building a boss for locking the seat down straight when driving etc., but you get the idea.
dang thanks for the fast replys! I think I found some I can use. Once AssDragger said "Lowes" I was all over google and found that tons of boat places sell them cheap! hey link are you serious about the trash can? that is too funny. check these out...
here is the link to where I found those... http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jhtml?id=0013304&navAction=jump&navCount=2&indexId=cat21336&parentId=&parentType=&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod-link.jhtml.1_A&_DAV=perf
1973-77 Monte carlo's and olds cutlass's came with the swivels. I have a pair for sale out of a 1975 Chevrolet monte carlo.
<font color="red"> Just go out and find an old Chrysler or Imperial they had them back in the fifties. R E D M E A T </font>
Thanks 41CT, that's exactly what I've been looking for. I want to put a pair of low back swivel buckets in my '50 Chevy. I'll check our Lowe's store. Now I need a pair of early '60s buckets. I have a pair out of a '66 Mustang but I think they're a little small. I'm thinking '63 Galaxie or T-Bird.
One thing you want to remember when putting in "homemade" swivel buckets is your width...just becuz you put Lowe's swivel bases on them don't mean they will swivel in the confines of your interior. If you use a pair of '60's buckets, remember, those babies are W-I-D-E...if you mount the bases, directly under the steering wheel...will they hit the door and prevent it from closing? Will they swivel without hitting each other? In a truk, will they swivel without hitting the back of the cab? And the most important feature...will they LOCK in place, facing forward, behind the steering wheel and not swivel when you take a corner a bit too fast? Just a few MINOR things to think about...it's almost like trying to re-invent the wheel! R-
points well taken 40Stude, I have no space to spare in my cab as it is. Donzie, I ordered them from that link I posted. The ones in that pic have the swivels with the lock down bar. I should have them this weekend and will let you know if they are any good.
Here's a photo of the '75 Olds buckets in my rad '57 Chev...note the stock headrests were removed...note how slim the seat now appears...note how much room there is between the seats--enuff for a console and to let them swing without touching...note the mounting on the floor.
I was going to put swivel buckets in my truck but when it came down to it there just wasn't enough room. It is kind of hard to mock up with loose seats. Once you bolt those suckers down in the cab you will realise how much room you don't have. I think to get them to work you will have no lean on the backrest which makes them very uncomfortable. Hopefully your cab is larger and you have a tilt wheel so you can use a taller riser. I hope you don't have to give up like I did. Good luck.
[ QUOTE ] 1973-77 Monte carlo's and olds cutlass's came with the swivels. I have a pair for sale out of a 1975 Chevrolet monte carlo. [/ QUOTE ] lets see a pic. DONZIE, even if these are a high back you could remove the headrests or even have them cut down a bit and reupholstered.
41chevy truck dude....... did you get your swivel bases ???? how did they seem ? lemme know i am planning on some in my 60 buick and those look like what i was looking for.....thanks
Yeah I got them and mocked them up using some plywood. They are pretty solid and work great. I am going to make some real mounts and use them. Here are some more pics on my website
I am curious to see if they will swivel when they are both in there or if the seat backs will hit each other when you spin them. There ain't much room in there. I hope it works for you.
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