My SSR: '04 Smokin' #3506: gone but not forgotten, twas lemony.
Mmmm, bench seat.... possible?
I *just* noticed today that the concept had a bench seat. Damn, nice.
Is it feasible?
Getting rid of the console should be no big deal, relocating the window and top switches maybe to below the AC controls...
The big deals would be the shifter and the parking brake. And I have seen bench seating with a floor shifter, I'm sure many of us have had to straddle the shift lever when sitting in the middle at some point. So if relocating the shifter to the tree isn't possible then all may not be lost.
So, how about it, experts-in-engineering? It'd probably cost a few grand to do but with the money people here drop on their rides, it may be worth it =0)
Heh, my girlfriend is sometimes a little miffed that there's a big ol' console between us in the Vette.... Er, no particular reason...
plus it'd make that interior A) more retro still, and B) feel more spacious.
I'm SSRless at the moment, sure, but I have big dreams =0)
My SSR: 2004 UV with flames #10443 (BOD: 05-24-04), 2005 "Sinister SSR"#19055 (BOD: 12-09-04)
My husband started to do this with Sinister, but ran out of time before HRPT. He found that a bench seat from a Ford Ranger fit except for the mounting brackets needed to be modified because it sat too high. It would also involve re-working the waterfall and console, but his is really good with fiberglass fabrication, so that wasn't a big issue. He may get back to it in the future - I'd really like to see someone do it, think it would be really .
__________________
Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one. - Eleanor Roosevelt
My SSR: 06/6sd Sil on Blk-2SS, Chrome pack,Magnaflow. #23284
I forgot what a bench seat feels like. It could probably be done. There are a lot of talented car craftsman that could do it.
If my SSR came with a bench...I'd pay extra to remove it and install heated buckets. And add a console.
__________________ SSR 1st Chevy/1st 6spd- Saw it, loved it, bought it.
The others:
02 Procharged Mustang GT Conv. 5sd
07 2 dr Jeep Rubicon 3"lift/35x12.5MT's - skids & bumpers
06 X3
Cole Haans
My SSR: '04 Smokin' #3506: gone but not forgotten, twas lemony.
Quote:
Originally Posted by XSELER8
If my SSR came with a bench...I'd pay extra to remove it and install heated buckets. And add a console.
Well in my case I'd certainly be thinking of a 40/20/40 bench with heat and power, and the center seat utilizing a fold down backrest/console too. So, like the rest of the SSR, old look, new tricks.
My SSR: "Redneck Roadster" #10764 - '04 Smokin' Asphalt Black - Woodfield Chevrolet 3/05
excellent topic!
I've had several people tell me "if it only had seating for three I'd....."
I've always told them the concept car had a bench with a column shifter and they always get a kick outta that. Me personally........I like the buckets and console shifter, but I always wondered why Chevy opted in that direction. It would be cool as hell either way they chose to do it, and I'm sure the $$$ just wasn't there to offer it both ways, but I'm curious what freezer has to say on this topic.
My SSR: '06 PB #21661 Born 8/29/05, GHL "Old School" True Duals, ADDCO bars, Eibach rear, Joe's Tune
From what I've seen, the seats are as low as they can get them and there is a significant driveshaft tunnel to contend with. Even if you maxed everything out, I'd bet that there would not be any padding in the center seating position. Debbie would never go for that....
Mike
__________________ Trust and Generosity are contagious.
My SSR: 06/6sd Sil on Blk-2SS, Chrome pack,Magnaflow. #23284
Quote:
Originally Posted by jammadave
Well in my case I'd certainly be thinking of a 40/20/40 bench with heat and power, and the center seat utilizing a fold down backrest/console too. So, like the rest of the SSR, old look, new tricks.
Although it's not my taste...yeah, it would be interesting and functional. A three seater? My wife & her mother. An hour of that and I'll get out and suck the tail pipe.
__________________ SSR 1st Chevy/1st 6spd- Saw it, loved it, bought it.
The others:
02 Procharged Mustang GT Conv. 5sd
07 2 dr Jeep Rubicon 3"lift/35x12.5MT's - skids & bumpers
06 X3
Cole Haans
But then, since when is the SSR itself "reasonable"?
Seriosuly, I know what you are talking about Freezer. Fitting the modern required and/or desired stuff into a cabin as narrow as the SSR's was a CHALLENGE.
My SSR: ricochet silver 2004 all options available for o4 on it, was dealers demo mod born on 3-26-04
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimGnitecki
freezer: Ah, the voice of reason.
But then, since when is the SSR itself "reasonable"?
Seriosuly, I know what you are talking about Freezer. Fitting the modern required and/or desired stuff into a cabin as narrow as the SSR's was a CHALLENGE.
Jim G
truelly said jim and freezer.most of the main electric functions are under the waterfall console area.i wouldn't mess with mine because i wouldn't know where to put all that and get it wired correctly.
My SSR: 2005 Sinister 6-speed, 2004 UV with flamous flames
Quote:
Originally Posted by freezer
Many of the electronic controls are located in the center console. It would take significant work to do a bench seat.
Freezer is right about the electronics but I was able to locate everything under and behind the seat ,But it [seat] was higher to clear the tunnel than the buckets.
Maybe the reason our trucks dont have bench seating is that when the concept was tested with the public in '02 the reaction led to the understanding(correctly I believe)that the public looks at individual buckets as sporty and sexy and cool and that bench seating is something the neighbor with 3 kids needs in her boxy minivan.Im not trying to come across as too critical but why not accept the SSR as it was produced ?- do those mods that are truly possible and within reason(engine,drivetrain,sound systems,etc)and leave the classic rest of the truck alone! Bench seating to me would go along with pulling the engine and putting in a 4 banger due to rising gas prices and then replacing the roof with a canvas top !
My SSR: Studly Slingshot Yellow VIN 20778 Born 05 May 2005 (05/05/05) w/ SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Very interesting topic.
After a quick visual check of the space in my SSR . . . the three people on a bench seat better be "good friends" as well as recently showered because they're gonna be SUPER COZY!
My SSR: Black - 2003 VIN# 3053 - Custom Paint by John Hardin
Quote:
Originally Posted by DOOPHUS
Very interesting topic.
After a quick visual check of the space in my SSR . . . the three people on a bench seat better be "good friends" as well as recently showered because they're gonna be SUPER COZY!
Personally, I stick with the buckets!
! ! ! ! ! !
Or just two people on a bench seat would be even BETTER friends
My SSR: '04 Smokin' #3506: gone but not forgotten, twas lemony.
Heh,
I actually brought it up that one time because it would be nice to be able to take my girlfriend and her young daughter with me in an SSR. Definitely wasn't thinking about three full sized people in it =0)
.
SSR 1st Chevy/1st 6spd- Saw it, loved it, bought it. 
The attitude is free.
benchseats in an SSR?
Maybe thats why the divorce rate is so high in this day and age!!!!!!! Not enough closeness these days. Most cars have bucket seat today!
