Are both seats alike in a 78 ? I want to switch mine.. The driver seat is worn on the side and if I put it on the passenger side it won't be visible..

 

No problem I did the same a few years back.

 

Looks like 4 bolts on each seat ,, just wanted to make sure there wasn't something else under there ....

 

Unless you switch the slide mechanisms the handle to slide the pass side (old drivers side) seat will be on the wrong side.

No biggie to fix, is the slide is just noted on.

 

Thanks for the info...

 

No need to worry about for 78. Both seats are 100% the same. Slide release is on the right side on both seats. Just un bolt, switch the seats and bolt right back in.

 

When I had my seats out both handles were on the inside. Odd. I guess I wasn't the first person to have the seats out. I stand corrected.

 

Thanks guys for your help..., should be a easy job..

 

Don't let your car hear the word easy! The while I am doing this might strike. I have been tempted to put later model seats in mine as they are very dated and in need of minor repairs as the driver side tilts back too far.

 

I redid the leather-vinyl seat covers and fiberglas backs and carpeting on my '78.
Driver's seat was worn badly on back from previous owner sliding down it when getting into the car.Seats also were really laid back like some sort of ghetto pimp ride...Originally Chevrolet offered a fix to change the seat back angle..but no one knows what it was these days.The upholstery guy who helped me do my interior raised the rear seat to floor height
so now the seat back is more verticasl and right..My interior is oyster white..I saved much of the original seat cover upholstery in case somewhere down the road I need to repair leather or vinyl due to damage..The toughest part of the whole interior was the side console panels-upholstery-mounting..Took a bit of time and adjusting to get the panels mounted so they tucked up and under the lips of the console top pieces.jim

 

Do you know how he raised the rear of your seat ? I would like to raise mine too..

 

W ith seats OUT..He installed a 1" tall x 1.5" long metal spacer between the floor mounting points and lower seat rail..used appropriately 1"longer proper thread-size bolts to resecure seat to floor..

You can do a change in another way if you wish..

You'll note that the seat latching mechanism that bolts that secure the latching mech down on the rear of the seat frame can only work and latch if the proper length is maintained..
Just backing out the big phillips head bumper bolts won't do it right.

Y ou can get 1" metal tubes like spacers and use 1" longer bolts and attach the seat latching mechanism in that manner..Firm, immoveable and the spacer tubes can be shorter or longer to get the back angle you really want.Nylon spacer tubes are great too and a good hardware store has such odds and ends.

just a note for you..A good upholstery repair man can do small miracles in matching color, texture, fabric going way beyond just sewing or glueing on patches..I used a fellow who came by the house and had everything necessary to repair several small nicks-tears in the door panel upholstery..Can't tell it was ever damaged..

IF your upholstery is oyster white..and you need some pieces of either the leather or vinyl (my seats have leather on sitting and back portions and vinyl on side panels)for a more serious repair..send me a message with dimensions needed and whether leather or vinyl portion and I'll send you some good condition pieces that an upholstery man might use to repair a torn seat panel.....if I can..
not sure how far you may go for a full restoration job on your interior..but the carpeting seat package I got from Ecklers..( made by Auto Custom Carpets inc) was complete, very good quality and sure looks wonderful..Not a simple install for even a patient fellow who works well with tools and has the knack for fitting stuff....esp the console covers and seat covers..but well worth the $1000 I put into the kit and professional installation..Jim

 

Thanks for all the info about raising the seats,, my seats are red leather with cloth The driver seat back is worn on the side from someones hand pushing on it when getting out of the car, other than that they are still perfect..I thought about maybe replacing the cover on the worn side but the leather with cloth covers are not available.. I think switching the seats will hide the worn spot as it will be next to the console.. .. That will be the perfect time the raise the seats also.. Thanks again for your help/info..

 

Sounds like switching the DS and PS seats should work fine..You might also check with a good upholstery tech about redyeing..renewing-conditioning the worn looking leather..

Often a good proper cleaning and application of quality well chosen leather conditioner will work wonders..Jim

 

Just wondering if I should use some thread lock on the bolts when I put them back in ??

 

You can use some loktie non permanent stuff if you want but not necessary. Make sure stop bolts allow the seat to make contact evenly..ie leveled up..

BTW Ecklers does offer all leather red seats for your '78..but they are close to 800 bucks..
Do check into getting a talented auto upholstery( or boat) guy to look at the worn areas of your original seats.Bet the appearance and future use of them can be enhanced with the right hand-eye work-skill.., cleaning-dye-conditioning..
Above all have fun and enjoy the journey..both the work and the enjoyment of the car looking and feeling and running right..Jim

 

Thanks for the info and help,, going to try and attach a pic i took today ,of the driver seat after i moved it to the passenger side.. The pillow will hide the wear mark,, and it won't get any worse now..