Front Bench Seat Bottom "Firmer"?

[72DL41]

My '72 Polara 4-dr. front bench seat bottom needs some additional support. I feel like I'm sitting in the seat instead of on the seat. The car has 19k miles, which I believe is original based on the condition and history. The interior is in excellent original condition also.

1) Can the seat be made firmer without removing the seat cover?
2) If necessary, can the seat back be separated from the seat bottom?
3) I have a '72 Dodge Body Service Manual.
4) I looked at the underside of the seat and didn't see any obvious issues with the springs, etc.
5) I'll try contacting a local upholstery shop for possible fixes.

 

[Big_John]

1) Can the seat be made firmer without removing the seat cover?

No

2) If necessary, can the seat back be separated from the seat bottom?

Yes.

On post #2258 of this post, you'll see how I changed the foam in my rear seat in my '65 300L. What did you do to your C-body today....

If you've never done this, probably best to leave it to the pros. There are different foam firmness available if that helps.

 

[Darter6]

Well it might be a hack but after having my seats redone I felt the same way.
I pulled the bench seat flipped it over and got some of that hospital egg crate bed foam.
I was able to work it in between the seat foam and the springs.Not a easy job,but can be done.
Worked for me !

 

[72DL41]

No

Yes.

You said the seat back can be separated from the seat bottom. I didn't see anything in the Body Service Manual on how to do it.

 

[lemondana]

My 71 Polara patrol car has extra coil springs in the driver and passenger position, the build sheet specified heavy duty seat springs. I supposed the seat frame had to be modified for the extra springs. I never thought to take pictures when I had the seat out.

 

[1970FuryConv]

No

Yes.

On post #2258 of this post, you'll see how I changed the foam in my rear seat in my '65 300L. What did you do to your C-body today....

If you've never done this, probably best to leave it to the pros. There are different foam firmness available if that helps.

I like the zip tie trick. Good idea!

 

[bnz84]

Before I reupholstered my seats I added these little helpers - very redneck. Weaved them between the springs and tied them to ther springs with coat hangers. Be very careful where the sharp ends are facing. It helped as long as you could tie in springs that were not as saggy.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-Wood-to-Steel-Flat-Strap/1002624424
Then added these springs to existing ones before new covers. Almost too firm for my 230 lbs. . Maybe 11 gauge would be even better. Not sure why you couldnt wedge some of these under the existing springs
Zig Zag Springs 9 Gauge 24"

I also got these for saggy seat corners - divers seat! If you dont get them tied down they will come through the cover.
Torsion Springs

 

[Big_John]

You said the seat back can be separated from the seat bottom. I didn't see anything in the Body Service Manual on how to do it.

Sorry, I missed this.

I haven't had a 4 door seat apart in a 70's car, so I can't give you specifics. The top is just bolted to the bottom though. If it's like earlier car seats, the the flap, shown in this pic with an arrow, is covering the bolts.

IIRC, that flap is fastened with small screws to the seat bottom. It may also be hog ringed to the base.... I honestly don't remember. Just get the flap loose from the base and there should be bolts under the flap. Just feel around that part of the seat before you remove it. The bolts could be in the bottom or the top.

I'm going by memory here, which isn't as reliable as it used to be.. and it's been many years since I had to take apart a 4 door seat.

IF SOMEONE ELSE CAN CONFIRM OR ADD TO THIS, PLEASE DO.

 

[Tire Whisperer]

Semi-on-topic:

I can still see this in my minds eye, even though I first saw it fifty years ago, in the 1970s as a 5 year old:

I don't recall if the car was Mopar or something else, but when I looked in the side window, I noticed that the driver side of the bench front seat was back several inches from the passenger side, putting significant creases in the vinyl upholstering the seat bottom! Not to mention how distorted the seatback appeared, with the driver half yielding, forward, under strain, to the passenger half.

Was this a genuine independently adjustable driver/passenger bench, or just someone's hatchet job?

 

[Boydsdodge]

When I have added some firmness to seat, I remove the complete seat, then slip a black neeling pad that you get from hardware stores and between it and spring some dense cardboard to stop the springs from compressing through the foam knee pad. No Photos to share. No need to take seat apart, might need extra hands to feed the foam into seat
Some guys use good heavy carpet above springs, that will spread the weight as well. You can get pre-cut samples or remnants from carpet store.

 

[1970FuryConv]

Semi-on-topic:

I can still see this in my minds eye, even though I first saw it fifty years ago, in the 1970s as a 5 year old:

I don't recall if the car was Mopar or something else, but when I looked in the side window, I noticed that the driver side of the bench front seat was back several inches from the passenger side, putting significant creases in the vinyl upholstering the seat bottom! Not to mention how distorted the seatback appeared, with the driver half yielding, forward, under strain, to the passenger half.

Was this a genuine independently adjustable driver/passenger bench, or just someone's hatchet job?

Hatchet Job

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Semi-on-topic:

I can still see this in my minds eye, even though I first saw it fifty years ago, in the 1970s as a 5 year old:

I don't recall if the car was Mopar or something else, but when I looked in the side window, I noticed that the driver side of the bench front seat was back several inches from the passenger side, putting significant creases in the vinyl upholstering the seat bottom! Not to mention how distorted the seatback appeared, with the driver half yielding, forward, under strain, to the passenger half.

Was this a genuine independently adjustable driver/passenger bench, or just someone's hatchet job?

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Not uncommon, if the lock linkage gets loose which is often just a strand of wire, it does not unlock the passenger side. If it locked all the way forward and you run the opposite side all the way back it can be hard on the frame and upholstery. Pretty much trying to diamond shape the seat when you do that.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

My '72 Polara 4-dr. front bench seat bottom needs some additional support. I feel like I'm sitting in the seat instead of on the seat. The car has 19k miles, which I believe is original based on the condition and history. The interior is in excellent original condition also.

1) Can the seat be made firmer without removing the seat cover?
2) If necessary, can the seat back be separated from the seat bottom?
3) I have a '72 Dodge Body Service Manual.
4) I looked at the underside of the seat and didn't see any obvious issues with the springs, etc.
5) I'll try contacting a local upholstery shop for possible fixes.

View attachment 653741

View attachment 653742

Those seat look immaculate so I'm guessing they are structurally sound just under sprung as they all are in my case.

I have one that has been reupholstered that has a couple of broken springs. It was horrible. I would sink so low, the crossbar on the seat back would press into my back.
I was going to attach a second set of springs under the original until I realized how bad they were. I have found that NW cars that still have presentable interiors have compromised seat structure from humidity and rust on all the unprotected metal.

 

[Tire Whisperer]

Not uncommon, if the lock linkage gets loose which is often just a strand of wire, it does not unlock the

Trying to make bucketseats out of a bench.

My concern is, if that was done intentionally, because of a taller than average driver, would the seat perform properly - stay locked in place - in a moderate front or rear collision?

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Trying to make bucketseats out of a bench.

My concern is, if that was done intentionally, because of a taller than average driver, would the seat perform properly - stay locked in place - in a moderate front or rear collision?

I have moved several of the seats in my cars rearward by relocating or fabricating new mounts. Just did my elcamino a couple months ago. In a collision I'm pretty sure the seat belt is what holds the seat in place. That is if your wearing it...
I remember when my wife was yanking a cherry tree out of the ground with my 68 gmc. One of the yanks popped the seat latch and it slammed forward.

 

[Tire Whisperer]

In a collision I'm pretty sure the seat belt is what holds the seat in place.

Hmmm... Since I started driving, back during Reagan's second term, I thought the bolts held the seat/s to the floor, and the seatbelt mitigated driver & passenger movement in a collision.