Replacing the Driver's Seat

[ktmossman]

I had planned to replace the driver's seat on my J4500 eventually, but now it looks like I need to do it sooner rather than later.  This leads to a couple questions:

1. What seats have you found that you like?
2. What is the best place to buy new seats?
3. Are there sources of reliable used seats?

[RJ]

Kevin -

What's wrong with the factory seat?

Bostrom is the big player in the 18-wheeler market.

American, Isringhausen, National, Recaro and USSC are the major players in the bus world.

All of the above have websites, you can source a local supplier via their "locator" options.

An 18-wheeler wrecking yard can be a source of used Bostroms.

National used to be the OEM supplier to GMC and MCI (at least thru the MC-9s.) Don't know who they're using for the Js.

Isri's are very common in Prevost motorhome shells.

Recaros have extremely comfortable backrests, with excellent lumbar support. However, some of the cushions in their older models tend to be thinner than others, thus leading to one becoming "saddle sore."

High-backs are more comfortable "for the long haul" compared to low-back models.

FWIW & HTH. . . 

[dtcerrato]

Our 4104's oem National driver's seat is still in it 42 years later. It's nothing special to look at but the extreme comfort on extended drives tells the whole story...

[luvrbus]

Call Sam Caylor if it is like the one I replaced for the school the driver caught fire while smoking that was a $4500.00 seat not many truck seats if any will work with the dash design in a J4500

[ktmossman]

What's wrong with the factory seat?

First, the air line cracked.  So, we pulled the seat cushion off to get to the air line and everything we touched inside the mechanicals (trying to get to the air line) just fell apart.  Knob mounts broke, clips cracked, cables broke, the entire air line is brittle (Every time we tried to clamp it, it cracked again.). I already knew none of the controls worked and the cushions were bad (which is why I had planned to replace it later in the process.) But now, I'm not even sure I can get the cushion to stay attached because the mounting clips broke.  So, I think the safe thing for driving in the short term is just to go ahead and replace it now.

[Jim Blackwood]

Maybe you could rebuild it with all new soft parts?

Jim

[Dave5Cs]

So Mrs. Lincoln other than that how was the play? LOL

[sledhead]

you could redo all the guts with all new stuff for a fraction of the price of a new one , air line is cheap . this way you know everything will fit . ask a upholstery place if they can redo the bits and you re-install them .

I had to do this on the coach even though I bought the seats brand new at a rv surplus outlet .
they were to soft for my liking

dave 

[ktmossman]

I looked into getting the parts to rebuild.  I think I can get them all, but while they may have anticipated someone replacing a part or two, they didn't intend for an untrained person to rebuild the entire seat.  The parts diagram is an absurdity which could only have been dreamed up by Rube Goldberg himself.  By the time I buy all the parts and find/pay someone who could actually do it, I'm probably not going to save much.

I have also discovered that, if you want to spend enough money, you can get a seat that will do just about everything but cook you breakfast...

[Runcutter]

Kevin, I don't know what part of Dallas you're in.  You might talk with Brunner Trim and Glass on Garland Road, not far from White Rock Lake.  I took my car to Butch on the recommendation of my car dealer.  Straight forward and old school.  They could certainly do any upholstery, and might be able to take care of the seat mechanics too -- I don't know that for sure though.

Another option might be Darby Diesel in Hutchins.  Mike Darby, a former DART mechanic owns it.  I know he's scrapped some MCI's over the years, he might have one in progress. 

Arthur

[chessie4905]

I bought a used Bostrom air ride seat from truck salvage yard. Bostrom sells a FRED kit. New upholstery, New foam and armrests ( extra cost) I bought a piece of steel to adapt it to my floor holes. 3 line up perfectly. The 4 hole on Bostrom seat requires a hole where angle framing is, so stud attached to plate for 4th hole. Air line through un- used factory hole to air supply in under driver's  compartment.
Bostrom kit is available in 4 or 5 colors.

[Utahclaimjumper]

There are also a lot of Flexsteel RV units that are 8 way electric to choose from..>>>Dan

[buswarrior]

Is there a step, hard up against the rear of the seat mount?

Can't remember...

In all of the earlier models, that step can render some lovely air ride seats useless, it conflicts with the seat, or the mount ends up too far forward.

Primary reason an mci seat won't go any lower.

In the Dallas market, find out where the bus companies are having their seats re-built. Someone is doing it by the dozens.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[luvrbus]

LOL I may be dreaming but I recall  the seat was off set on the frame not the pedestal   

[ktmossman]

Thanks for all the ideas...

Yes, there is a step-up behind the seat, but it is shallow (2.5" w/ the subfloor).  The base is up against it, but the seat goes back past it. (I kept that step in place when I raised the front floor level.). Worst case scenario is that I can build a steel base that notches up over the step to set the seat base back a little farther.

Another question:  For our purposes (not driving all day, every day,) is the "air ride" that big of a deal?  I can get a power adjustable seat with all the adjustable lumbar support, etc. without using the air.  It seem that moving to an "air ride" seat boosts the price a good bit.