Bench seating for front

[KevinRS]

Define "any money". For some, a bench might preclude the SUV set up....

What I'm saying, probably a large majority have no interest in a bench. Of the minority who say they have interest, even at highly scaled up production, it's going to cost probably $500-1000 at a minimum, more likely 1000-2000, assuming the development and testing costs were already paid off.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

What I'm saying, probably a large majority have no interest in a bench. Of the minority who say they have interest, even at highly scaled up production, it's going to cost probably $500-1000 at a minimum, more likely 1000-2000, assuming the development and testing costs were already paid off.

That’s a lot…unless it is some dope leather seat? (Which would defy logic as a local runabout.)

 

[KevinRS]

That’s a lot…unless it is some dope leather seat? (Which would defy logic as a local runabout.)

The seat would have to have the side airbags
Outside of ebay, I am seeing the most basic F150 front seats, cloth, manual, used, from a 50k mile truck, going for $1269 for the pair.
I haven't found where Ford would list complete seats, I am seeing cushion covers for around $500 each, back frames around 500+, Seat track which appears to be the metal components of the seat base, for around $1300. Those appear to be just part of the components of a single seat, figure near double for a front bench, and have to add whatever components are missing.

 

[Luxrage]

I am sure you can go to the local junk yard or Amazon and find a seat that will work. I mean there is only a couple of seat manufacturers that provide all the seats. Most would probably use the factory bolt pattern if not nothing else you can drill and tap it youself

Not sure if it'd fit width-wise but $200 will get you an F150 center.

This has been brought up before but the 2025 F150 is offered with a bench and there's no discernable difference other than the seatbelt is built into the middle seat. No airbag changes or anything.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Not sure if it'd fit width-wise but $200 will get you an F150 center.

This has been brought up before but the 2025 F150 is offered with a bench and there's no discernable difference other than the seatbelt is built into the middle seat. No airbag changes or anything.

IIRC, my 2021 F150 had a shoulder belt for this middle fold down front seat. I would love to have all 3 seats up front but doesn’t seem likely to fit!

 

[Orley]

My dog likes the looks of that center seat airbag or no.

 

[clofan]

I'd be down for a bench. Like my first car, a 1987 Dakota

 

[Musicnater]

Someone with more knowledge feel free to correct me, but I think bench seats went away due to safety regulations. So unlikely there would ever be an official part.

I’d be a bit surprised at that as you can configure most base model trucks and suvs with front bench seats still.

 

[tubes]

My theory about the bench seat is because of the way the passenger seat works to move so far forward to provide access to the rear seat row. In pickup form, this doesn't matter.

Similarly, they want one SKU, and the bench is not very compatible with SUV form in order to get HVAC back there.

 

[GaRailroader]

Perhaps they could offer the bench as an accessory. It might be more costly than you would expect since it would have air bags in it. After seeing all of the videos from the unveiling, I do think Slate made the right decision with the bucket seats. The egress to the rear is as good as it could possibly be with the door size they are using. If they had gone with bench then the SUV kit would likely need to include buckets for the front which would have made the SUV kit even more expensive.

The buckets also have height adjustments which will make it more comfortable for more drivers. I am 5’11” and my wife is 5’(she says). I recall when she used to drive my F-150 she had the bench adjusted all the way forward and would complain she couldn’t reach the pedals very well and meanwhile I would be pinned against the dash on the passenger side.

 

[tubes]

This discussion brings a little flashback to learning to drive on a wide barge like a '72 Pontiac Catalina. When adjusting the bench seat, it felt like you were moving a couch.

 

[EV Trek]

Probably been mentioned but worth repating, the cost of a bench seat option, with seat Airbags and modifying the front airbag and adding another seatbelt and shoulder harness would probably be expensive and too complex for the DIYer.
“Mandatory Fastening: Under FMVSS 208, all designated seating positions—including the center seat—must have manual lap-and-shoulder seat belt assemblies. “
those saying nobody would sit there because there is not enough room are forgetting human nature. It does not matter if you shouldn’t do something some yahoo will do it anyway.

 

[SailorDan]

Put me n the bench seat group. I loved the bench on my Dakota. It had a fold down middle section so I could have console and armrest when I wanted, or flip it up for more seating.... or for closer seating by a special passenger.

 

[E90400K]

This discussion brings a little flashback to learning to drive on a wide barge like a '72 Pontiac Catalina. When adjusting the bench seat, it felt like you were moving a couch.

My F150 had a bench seat. PITA to move when just me in the cab, the passenger side never slid in unison with the driver side. It'd get all cattywampus. 🤣

 

[Doctors Do Little]

My F150 had a bench seat. PITA to move when just me in the cab, the passenger side never slid in unison with the driver side. It'd get all cattywampus. 🤣

Agree. You would have to have a 60:40 split to allow passenger side to slide forward independently for rear access (for suv).