From my readings it seemed like bucket seats would fit the existing mounting holes on the outside/door side where the bench seat would mount. When I tried to install the buckets I found the seat frame bracket holes were approx. a half inch short of the floor stud location. Is that normal? I do have the inner bucket seat brackets that I will weld in. Are my bucket seat mount frames wrong for the seat application? I was told the seat were for a 1970 Chevelle. Seats have the 70-72 back fold down button.
Use this link. You will need to buy mounting brackets and weld to the floor. http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/buckconsole.htm
I guess I'm not reading the spacing on the diagram correctly. So back to one of my first questions, are the bucket seats supposed to mount on the same floor studs as the bench seats?
The outboard forward bolt holes get covered by a cloverleaf shaped bkt that has a 5/16 stud.(the brace kits are available at The Parts Place)it locates the outboard holes inboard about 1".The buckets are wider than the bench sides.When you get the bkts in place,take a string or straight edge and mark a line across the floor pan.this line becomes your front inboard centerline to weld your inner braces.Your should always work with centerlines to your bolt/stud locations.Now that you have your front to rear stud location you measure 14"(if memory serves) from the outboard front stud and that is where your weld the inboard braces.The center to center holes on your seat should confirm that 14" measurement.You can bolt the tracks to the floor w.o the seat to guarantee alignment.In addition,the rear of your outboard seat track will have 2 holes which get put into the floor in a new location(they are manufactured to fit bench or bucket).When welding in the braces,make sure you cross the under floor gussets where they intersect the weld ins.I always drill a hole through the upper and lower spots and plug weld them.This secures the seats in the event of an accident with more that just some sheet metal welds.Hope this helps.Bill P.S. All 66-70 Strato Buckets are the same seat cushion on the bottom.71-72 have two set of mounting holes for a 1" longer track.the upper Strato Buckts have all the same frame work in two series,1966-7 & 68 to 72.the uppers will bolt to any lower frames no matter what the year.
The bucket seats use the rear outboard mounting bolts- the same as the bench seats. The brackets you get to be welded in are for the front outboard and the inner front and rear. I had purchased the buckets beforehand and was going to recover them anyway so I separated the backs from the bottoms. Lighter weight. I then bolted the inner and outer brackets to the seat tracks, placed the bucket seat in the car and bolted the seat to the RR and LR bolt holes. I made sure the tracks were straight, and you can tell pretty easy where the brackets go when you do this, then sharpie mark where the brackets go. I then had a body shop tack weld them in while the seat was bolted in, then they took the seat off and finished welding. You will have to grind the paint and rust off the floor pan and brackets for a good weld. It's not that hard. Use the buckets as your guide.
