Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

That's exactly what I do. The more aware you are,the less you have to fear.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

that 59 impala crash makes me want to cry - I coulda used that steering wheel, it's common with a 60-66 C10 deluxe wheel...

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

Heres my one and a half cents: I dont think about it at all. Sure, there have been some good safety advancements in the last forty years and I dont want to discount them, but I just feel that the old truck is a time machine and I'll take the good with the bad, as is. And that the more modern items that go on it or in it, the less classic it is. If safety is a big concern for someone, they might want to go with a more modern vehicle. Truth is, if Im going to make changes to it, it will be OLDER stuff, not newer stuff(you guys have seen the '59 impala dash in these trucks, OH YEAH!) Just one dummy's opinion.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

I definitely liked the older original bench seat when I bought my truck, It reminded me of my grandpas truck the way the old interior smelled. But I am also a father and my daughter loves to cruise in the truck. I want to grow old with her and she with me. The late 90's Ford F-350 bench seats fit in relatively easy with only a little welding on the front bracket. When I bought mine for $25 at a swap it was in pretty good condition but I had it re upholstered to match the color of the truck but also the stitch pattern of the original bench. I am 5'10" and my arm rests nicely on top of the bench and the palm of my hand rests on the vertical portion of the passenger head rest. I will soon be getting shoulder belts.

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/o...DSC_0024-1.jpg

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

:agree: people worry to much they drove this stuff every day then I've rode many a miles as a kid in one, just enjoy the ride
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Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

I like the avatar Special K

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

Just my two cents, take it or leave it... at 16 years old I was rear ended by a Chevette while I was waiting to turn left across traffic. I was driving a little Mini truck at the time (Can't remember which). I do remember looking up in the rear view mirror and having just enough time to take my foot off the brake and hit the gas before she plowed into the steel step bumper I had.

The impact threw the truck about 30 feet forward and a bit sideways and bent the bumper down into what looked almost like a roll pan. The Chevette looked like it had been made of butter and everything was smashed back about 3 feet.

My head bounced off the back glass pretty badly, and gave me some serious headaches for some time. Luckily I was 16 and the brain had plenty of room to rattle around still :)

I will be getting some seats with headrests for the simple fact that it can happen and it is not that big a deal to get them. I'll be buying new seats anyway. It's like having insurance. By the time you wished you had them it will be too late to get them.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

The steering collapsible column is one innovation that I would not want to do without. This video proves it again. In the mid '70s a teenage girl in our neighborhood was killed instantly in a crash by the steering wheel in a mid-'50s Ford truck. This video may have been rigged some how-I doubt it-but that column is hard to overlook where it goes. And doesn't the X-frame have a perimeter frame too, just not as much as a "conventional" frame?

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

I found a cool video of a guy who installed headrests on a bench seat.
These are 3rd row from an SUV but the idea looks the same.
Come to think of it though, my Suburban bench might be to low in the back for this to work, but it's interesting.

I even thought of just welding in a loop like the green seats above and upholstering them.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

No worries at all. I hate the newer seats, especially in Ford vehicles. When I drive the F150s at work the first thing I do is flip the head rest around. I like headrest for comfort but cant stand the way alot of the newer ones push you head forward. It works great if you are trying to drive with the seat in the horizontal position. I recently swapped out the bench seat for some power seats out of a Durango as it was cheaper than recovering my bench seat. These have integrated head rests but are almost perfectly vertical. No staring at my boots while driving. My truck still has the original seat belts and I have no plans of going to 3 points. Heck my 51 Mack doesn't even have seat belts.

Back when I was in high school and just after I worked at a junk yard. I can tell you that the cars from the early 90s did not fair to well in crashes. Each design has its merits. We used to wait for the rescue squad guys to come in to see if people survived. Older heavy frame vehicles tended to give whip lash injuries but people survived. Newer cars tended to pin the occupents and get impaled. One car that I remember very well was a Saturn with those highly toughted side impact bars. It was Tboned at 25MPH on the passenger side. The door was half way across the drivers seat! After talking to both the officer and EMS guys speed was verified and the unlucky driver did not survive. I have seen several pickups the nailed trees right between the frame rails on the front. Fans would be bent around the motor but the cab was untouched. I am sure the driver was sore but definatly walked away.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

I think about it but don't worry about it.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

The 59 video I believe is basically rigged. As for the new cars crumbling when hitting our trucks? Think again. These trucks fold up pretty bed. That said, no head rest for me and I don't wear seat belts often. I agree that they are more often safer but it is my right.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

I agree they fold up but they are not designed to fall apart like a newer car. New rides are designed to drop the engine craddle and kick it down. One of my pet peaves is the crash test. Sure alot of crashes are at lower speeds and that is what designers design for. That ever elusive crash test rating. I can take some whiplash for something that holds up better at higher speeds. I am more worried about crashes at high speed vs the parking lot. The ones that really get me are the prius, fiat, smart cars. Unless they have have a giant air cushion that surronds the vehicle upon impact there is no way you will convince me that they are as safe as a honda. That govt rating system is decieving.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

I think all these ratings and such are just products brought forth from lawsuits over the years. While manufactures should be held accountable to some extent, so should individuals. These are after all machines. When a horse freaks out and throws you off and stomps your head in we don't sue the horse right? You can wear a helmet that might help. The point is, its your choice. You want a head rest? Put it in. You want a colapsable column? Fine. You want air bags? Great, get a car with air bags. Its all out there and up to you (so far). Accidents will still happen and people will still be injured or killed. Go with what YOU feel is the best for YOU.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

Alot of good info and what ifs here. to me it comes down to this, yes theres alot you can do to make it more safe in our trucks. But when it comes down to it to me its all "chance", you drive home in your well protected truck or car, decide its a nice day for a motorcycle ride and stop at the same intersection you were just at in your safe vehicle and get rear ended. or you just left the hardware store with 20, 10 foot lengths of 1 1/4 inch black pipe in your truck with all the latest and greatest safety gadgets and someone cuts into your lane and hits you head on... all that pipe is going through the box, gastank, and you..STUFF HAPPENS, most you can prevent but not all. Boy, after reading my "what ifs" I think I'm going to lock myself in my bedroom and pull the covers over my head, see you guys later...

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

Heck, hop in your ol truck and go for drive and enjoy life. (weather permitting) Life is way too short to worry much about it.

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

Worry about seatbelts : NOPE
worry about seat : NOPE
worry about gas tank behind seat : Nope

Re: Does running a benchseat without headrests worry anybody else?
 

The best safety device ever made is defensive driving.

Don't think head rests would have helped.