installing aftermarket seats. Weld in or bolt in?

[lyrikz]

Putting a set of seats in my blazer that I had to make custom brackets for. Can I weld in the brackets to the floor or do I have to bolt them in? Is one better then the other.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Best of both... Weld support plates with welded on nuts under the floor so you can bolt them in.

If you ever change your mind you just unbolt them.

[davepl]

For crash safety they should be into the reinforced area, with through-bolts and washers. Wouldn't hurt to weld them too, but I wouldn't go with a weld alone. Unless you're a pro and can x-ray it, or are sure you'll never be in an accident...

[brad_man_72]

Bolt in.. unless you can weld through carpet.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by brad_man_72

Bolt in.. unless you can weld through carpet.

Well no carpet.

So a bolt and washer is better then a full weld.
Welp fun fun.

[truckster]

I welded my brackets so they fit my original reinforced mounting points. I used grade 8 hardware to bolt them in.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by truckster

I welded my brackets so they fit my original reinforced mounting points. I used grade 8 hardware to bolt them in.

I plan on tacking them in, then running a bolt through the whole assembly with a plate on the bottom if i can access it..

I will find out tomorrow.

[Grumpy old man]

Don't ever weld seat tracks to the floor with or without bolts . The constant fretting from the seat rocking forward and back will eventually crack/tear the sheet metal and it's just not safe in any type of crash . Bolts and reinforcement plates NOT just a few washers ! are the way to go . You have to remember these are trucks with 50 year old technology and I can't even begin to count the number of people I know of who had serious face/head injuries from just a lap belt and no headrest that WERE installed correctly . Sit in your truck and get belted in then lean forward as far as you can and then you'll understand what I'm saying ! It's also one of the reasons seats were bolted together so they wouldn't fold forward and windshields stopped being gasketed in ,People where getting launched thru the windsheild in a serious crash .My brother in law died sitting at a stop light and was hit from behind ,His face hit the steering wheel and resulted in massive facial injuries and instantaneous death

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fretting

This is also why it's better to use real gaskets rather than rtv sealants alone that will eventually leak

I can't stress enough how important these things are . I see guys daily drop their truck and add 1,000's of dollars of suspension work and a 500 hp ls engines and not consider they are bolting all of that to a 50 year old frame that already has the familiar "Chevy twist" then jump into the bench seat with a lap belt and Turn it loose ?

[truckster]

Originally Posted by truckster

I welded my brackets so they fit my original reinforced mounting points. I used grade 8 hardware to bolt them in.

Maybe I should have been clearer. I fabricated brackets on the seats (that's the welding part) and then bolted those brackets to the original mounting points with grade 8 hardware.

[doo142]

Originally Posted by truckster

Maybe I should have been clearer. I fabricated brackets on the seats (that's the welding part) and then bolted those brackets to the original mounting points with grade 8 hardware.

This is the only way to go, any drilling and plating would be a hack, no insult intented, peace!!

[Mduma72]

Absolutely he is right bolt only.
On an other note can you use bench seat brackets were bucket seats would go hard time finding bucket seat tracks wondering if bench tracks would bolt up. slider not an issue finding electric seats. If any one knows thanks .