2000 Dodge Ram Seats

[Desert_Ram]

Fellas, the front seats of my 2500 QC are in pretty bad shape - ripped on the side, flattened, sagging, coming off the frame, plastic side covers broken, etc. I'm considering full replacement units but don't really know what's out there. Have any of you successfully replaced the front seats with an aftermarket option that you really like?

[swirvin21]

I'm looking into doing a early 2000's model Chevy seat conversion. They are one of the few seats that has the integrated seat belts. They go for about $100/ea at the junkyards it seems. Also have a lumbar adjustment which is nice. Haven't grabbed a pair to test fit yet, but should be doing that early next year.

The suspension seats are really nice, but take quite a bit of modification to add in "safe" seatbelts and build brackets. What are you looking for? This for offroad, street, DD, etc etc

[Desert_Ram]

Thanks. To answer your question, this truck is used for recreational outings - hunting, fishing, camping, etc. It's not a true wheeler as it's still largely stock. However, it sees plenty of fairly intense use in rough terrain, so good support would be nice. Honestly, the stock seats in this generation of Ram are pretty sucky.

[swirvin21]

Yeah, I don't think you need to go the harness route yet, which would be the big part of going after aftermarket suspension or racing seats. I'll be doing this in my DD conversion, waiting on an idea for my wheeler. I think the Chevy seats are 40/20/40, so 3 pieces, instead of the 2 piece like we have. Not 100% though. I want to ditch the center front seat and build or swap in a cool center console instead. Good luck!

[Tango]

Mine is a 2500 QC. I rebuilt mine. The car/maine appolstry shops do them inexpensive. I had a marine shop do them in the winter when they had nothing to do. I skimped on the cloth, the foam was cheep and then I put on camo "marathon seat covers". Did them about 3 or 4 years ago now and they are still nice. They come in solid colors also.

I have an extra set of seat springs if you go that route. When I got them it was almost the same price for (4) as (2).

[Desert_Ram]

Thanks Tango. I thought of that, but I'm honestly not a big fan of the actual seats. I find them less than comfortable, plus their design is very conducive to dumping my coffee cup right off the front of the seat onto the floor. Since mine's a standard, the cupholders aren't really user friendly. I suppose I can rebuild the seats as a last resort, but wondered if there were other options out there.

[Tango]

On my other trucks I've used "almost new" seats I get from the wreckers. Go to the dealers and try out the 2010 or 2011 models and see what seats you like.

As long as the width of the total seat setup and center point of the seat are OK then most seats you can fab up some mounts and bolt them in.

The center point of the driver seat you want centered on the steering wheel, so when you sit down the steering wheel is centered in front, and not k0ck-eyed off to one side.

As for the power on the seats, they have a complex plug, but it really is just power and ground. The reast of the wires are for "seat memory" functions.

Example, My FJ40 front bench seat was a new Lexus SUV front leather bench seat.

For race seats I've always liked Beard 5 point race seats. Not as easy to get in and out of but they are comfortable.

[swirvin21]

What other seats have the built in seatbelt? I know the '00 + Ex Ceb Chevy/GMC, some newer Tahoe/Yukon, the Chrysler Sebring, I think there was a Ford truck at some point....what others? I've always wanted to find a list and see what options I have. Didn't think any of the newer vehicles had them.

[jprtroy]

My driver set cover material has worn to point of ripping at the seam, I've sewed it back twice, but now the material there is dissapearing! Not much left to pull back and sew. Next step will be some kind of seat cover.