I was originally going to keep and restore the bench seat. But who doesn't like buckets, and the bench restoration will end up costing more than brand new seats. So what are the pros and cons? Experiences with the installation? Thank you
Do yourself a favor and sit in a few before you buy. I went through this last year and found some of the really inexpensive Procar seats were very comfortable. I had all but decided on a particular Corbeau seat and was lucky enough to find a dealer near me. That seat was so uncomfortable that I could never have been happy with it. It had wings that poked me square in my shoulder blades. I ended up with another Corbeau model and have been very happy with them.
I know it’s not a direct answer to your question, but I hope it helps you avoid a costly error.
I don't have either seat in my car but I've noticed some of the Procar seats look like they might use cheap foam in them because they look saggy in some cars and don't keep their shape.
A Bench seat cover is about $200, good ACI bun for the bench is another $250.... reskinning a bench is super easy to DIY...
Sounds a heck of a lot cheaper than a pair of aftermarket buckets and the mounting brackets. Just sayin.
If you are not hung up on originality, then any of the aftermarket buckets will likely be light years more comfortable than factory buckets. I like the looks of the new TMI Pro-Series aftermarket seats w/ chevelle year correct covers on them- though I have not seen a set yet in person to be able to sit in them.
I like the Procar Rallys, and have had a couple sets of my own in previous cars.
They are a comfortable seat and do hold up to use (you do have to get used to getting in sideways and swinging your legs around the big bolsters), but they are a physically small seat when compared to an OEM seat and they look small in a Chevelle/Elcamino. They look more at home in a mustang or camaro or nova IMO.
IMO it depends on your particulars. Is your car mostly stock looking or does it lean towards resto mod? Is it an auto on the column or a manual trans car?
If it is mostly stock them IMO a set of Procars or TMI seats would look out of place.
The most economical thing to do would be to rebuild your existing bench seat. But you are right everyone likes buckets. Again IMO the factory Strato buckets are far superior to the aftermarket buckets in build quality but you dont get the modern conveniences such as recline and bigger bolsters. Although bolter kits are available for Strato buckets through companies such as Legendary.
So I guesswhat I am suggesting is to explore all your options before you make a decision. Most of us that have been around here a while will agree.
Very happy with the Procar rally seats in daily driver.
I have Corbeau suspension seats in my truck and really like them as well but they would look really bad in a muscle car. The truck is a 04 4x4 RAM Cummins so I figured if the truck doesn't have a suspension the seats should.....
I put the TMI seats in. I used their 20 percent off sale to save some money. I live semi close and was able to sit in the majority of their lines at their facility. I found these to be the most comfortable for me. I’m 6 foot and a 38 inch waist. I fit in the bolsters pretty well but I’d think anyone much bigger would be too wide for the seat. Very comfortable for sure. The car was a bench floor so I got the bench to bucket conversion brackets. Drilled four holes and with in an hour had both installed. I’ve done interior work on my other car from the springs up. This was the way to go as I didn’t have days worth of labor into the project and got done nice quality buckets to boot.
I chose the standard covers as the car is street strip. Will have a roll and not be stock. It goes better with the theme of the car and what I wanted it to show. I did debate the factory look and liked it, but ultimate went this direction. Based of the envisioned final product. Car will be black with white rallies
Cheers
I'm curious, you chose the seats with the Pro-Series covers instead of the year correct chevelle covers... Any particular reason, or just liked this style better?
I have a feeling a set of these are going to find their way into my chevelle sooner or later and I'll unload my restored factory ones.[/QUOTE]
Yes, they are the Pro Series R’s. The build I’m doing was just a shell and rolling chassis when I got it. Had no wiring or interior. So... I can’t compare these to any nicely done factory seats. I sit just about where the headliner would be (as I don’t have one yet). But, the nice thing about the seat is that it reclines.... I’m sure at 6’5” you don’t fit too well in most cars. Moving the seat track back all the way I have a hard time reaching the pedals and the seat reclines basically flat.
I did have to shim the inner two mounting locations but not much and more so on the driver side. Looking thru the windshield I could tell it was no level due to the lines in the cover. Overall though very easy install and well worth the price for sure (tue discount didn't hurt either)
Cheers
Those are nice looking seats. Are they the Sport-Rs? So how much of a elevation gain did you get after installing the TMIs? I'm 6' 5"
Did you need to shim the inner portion of the bracket at all?
I clear the headliner with the bench in there so that gives me a good idea. Thanks!!
I basically turned my rig into a shell. I'm about done with all the mechanical stuff so now it's time to make it look pretty. What company did you use for the wiring? I was thinking of going with Painless.
My wife and I were driving home from a party last night, it was a 20 mile drive. I wish I could of had my wife slide up next to me when a few of our favorite songs came on from when we started dating in 1972, (we are both still head over heels for each other)..
I am so sorry I didn't switch to a bench when I did the interior in my 69 el Camino..
So, what I'm saying is if your still gaga over your wife or girlfriend, stick with the bench, buckets are lonely....
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