Box front seat options

[police351]

I'm wanting to replace my current aftermarket front seats and would like options. I searched around a little bit and it looks like the options people recommend the most are:

• Any seats from other 79-89 boxes.
• Taurus seats but I don't see from what years (?).
• S197 seats (?) I assume these would be just the seats, not the base, as the mounts look different.

My 81 LTD S ex-police car had the split bench and the stock seat backs had broken, been rewelded, and broken again. I also wanted a center console. I swapped in some cheap generic Summit racing seats but they ended up too tall and way too narrow even after cutting down and welding the seat base. I'm 6'6" and never had an issue with the stock seats though that may be because the foam and springs were shot.

I'd like to swap to some more supportive and comfortable seats without sacrificing the lateral grip. I also prefer cloth but I'm getting close to having the entire interior professionally done so I can live with mismatched materials or colors for now.

I have a lot of metal fabricating experience and can weld so seat base mods are trivial. I do want to keep the manual seat base though to keep with the stripped down police package spirit.

My first plan was to grab a set of Subaru front seats as I like the seats in my 09' Forester. The base is wider, but I think I can make adapters.

Thoughts on good seat swaps?

I also made a center console about 15 years ago that needs to be replaced. I will probably go with a small minimalist console with a couple cup holders and nothing else. Unless you know of a decent console that swaps in nicely and accommodates the 5-speed shifter.

[sly]

One member (that has since passed) used reupholstered bucket seats from a Puegot 504. https://www.grandmarq.net/vb/forum/s...93#post1121693

Of course, any CPVI buckets up to 89 will bolt in. You may be able to swap tracks on later ones (haven't done this, but if it doesn't fit directly, should be able to drill the tracks to fit).

[police351]

Appreciate the input. Puegot are pretty rare around here though in salvage yards (currently zero). As, unfortunately, and in fact, are the boxes. I searched the two biggest chains in Austin online and no Crown Vics early than 1994 in the yards. Tons of S197 Mustangs though. So maybe I'll saunter over to one of them and see what I can see.

[87gtVIC]

With your fab skills and experience I would just say find something you like and make it work.

[Arquemann]

+1 Since you're able to fab rails, fit what you like.

I do have a center console recommendation though; circa 2004 Chrysler Sebring. They're not too big, they don't join up to a dashboard, they've got cupholders, an armrest and I believe the manual and auto versions are the same, minus the bezel. They do have a hole for a parking brake handle though, but I'm sure it could be made into a switch panel etc.
I've seen a couple of them retrofitted into classics.

[police351]

Thanks for the input! I need to run down to the pick-n-pull at some point now that it's not crazy hot anymore.

[Tiggie]

A set of the sport seats from the Fox era would hit just right IMO.

[police351]

Those look good and are definitely an option. Finding some near me would probably take a bit of work.

[87GrandMarq]

Skip the s197 seats. I had an 07 gt for a while and hated the seats. The bolsters are ok unless you’re slim and the stupid headrests are pointed towards the front of the car for some reason. Now s550 seats are great.

[police351]

I think I'll probably just end up going to the salvage yard and sitting in a bunch of cars and measuring seats. The S550 seats look nice but I can't tell to what extent the power seat base is incorporated into the seat itself.

[pollock]

Here's my 89 Grand Marquis with 2004 Mustang base-model seats. I made some flat adapter plates from 4 x 1/4 steel. I had to add some little steel wedges I bought from McMaster-Carr. Can provide more details on that if you need it.

If you consider this route, I recommend using the GT seats instead because that foam is reproduced. The base-model foam is not.



And a bonus pic, after I installed my modified Explorer console. Lighting was way different that day so the color looks completely different.

[sly]

If you ever swap GT seats in, it'll be an easy swap at this point. Looks pretty good too.

[87gtVIC]

Looks very nice.

[police351]

Those Mustang GT seats do look nice. I think there are still some in the yards around here. The interior is going to be getting moved up on priority soon as the remote tuner thinks we are getting close to done. I'm up to 11.3 psi and it's really enough power at this point. Just need to put my daily driver Subaru back together (head gaskets of course).

[Mainemantom]

If you can find a 80s era Tbird or Cougar those bucket seats might work. I had a base level 86 Cougar with the cloth seats.
As far as a console, I have one in my 96 CVPI that is looks similar to the one pictured above. It is called a "Clutter Catcher". The blue color is no longer made so the colors available are Black or tan.