Bench seat adjusting rod question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**68bowtie** · 11-13-2022, 11:01 PM

My newly restored 68 bench seat just needs the rod that connects the little seat adjuster gizmos. I have searched for pictures, but can’t find much.

I don’t know what year trucks the two reference pics below came from, but one has a major offset and a spring hanger, and the other seems to have a bow and a stiff hanger. Seems fundamentally different in functionality.

I have some 3/16” steel rod I’m going to bend into shape. Do I need some “bow” or can it be straight? Does it need the offset to help “torque” the rod to keep the ends inserted in the gizmos?

Any pics of a factory seat would be helpful.

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**Steeveedee** · 11-13-2022, 11:30 PM

I consider the factory system a bit lame. You have to pull the lever just the right amount. Too much and things don't move. This may be from wear, given that the truck is 51 years old. I flogged that adjuster for awhile when I had the seat upside down after putting on the new upholstery. Got tired of that and worked the adjusters so that the seat is all the way back on both sides, since we all sit with the seat all the way back, anyway. Don't touch that knob! ...or dial, as the Wolfman used to say.

LMC sells a cable with a turnbuckle. That system may lend itself well to the appropriate amount of movement with each adjuster.

**68bowtie** · 11-14-2022, 12:27 AM

I was wondering if that’s what everyone is doing, because there’s a reason you can’t find any original setups.

**Fbks_Cruiser** · 11-14-2022, 12:55 AM

My 72 doesn’t have a rod. There is a cable in its place that appears oem. Sorry I don’t have pics but it seems you could rig up something using 1/16” cable.

howzzzit · 11-14-2022, 01:10 AM

I have a 72 c10. I believe I bought the replacement steel cable setup instead of the wire type setup from LMC. It has an adjustable turnbuckle to adjust the tension.
Leave it slightly loose. Seems to work fine. I just put my seat all the way back and never change it, but it does the job.

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...eat-components

**pjmoreland** · 11-14-2022, 03:12 AM

Here are some photos of an OE 67/68 adjuster rod on a bench seat I had in my truck. Both ends had a double 90° bend. There was a hole at the rear of the bottom frame for a support spring. I didn't have the original spring so I found one at Ace that worked.

**Jason Banks** · 11-14-2022, 10:35 AM

Both of my 1968's have the bow and the non-spring hanger.

**68bowtie** · 11-14-2022, 07:12 PM

Thanks guys

11-13-2022, 11:01 PM	#1
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,420	Bench seat adjusting rod question My newly restored 68 bench seat just needs the rod that connects the little seat adjuster gizmos. I have searched for pictures, but can’t find much. I don’t know what year trucks the two reference pics below came from, but one has a major offset and a spring hanger, and the other seems to have a bow and a stiff hanger. Seems fundamentally different in functionality. I have some 3/16” steel rod I’m going to bend into shape. Do I need some “bow” or can it be straight? Does it need the offset to help “torque” the rod to keep the ends inserted in the gizmos? Any pics of a factory seat would be helpful. __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

11-13-2022, 11:30 PM	#2
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,116	Re: Bench seat adjusting rod question I consider the factory system a bit lame. You have to pull the lever just the right amount. Too much and things don't move. This may be from wear, given that the truck is 51 years old. I flogged that adjuster for awhile when I had the seat upside down after putting on the new upholstery. Got tired of that and worked the adjusters so that the seat is all the way back on both sides, since we all sit with the seat all the way back, anyway. Don't touch that knob! ...or dial, as the Wolfman used to say. LMC sells a cable with a turnbuckle. That system may lend itself well to the appropriate amount of movement with each adjuster. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

11-14-2022, 12:27 AM	#3
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,420	Re: Bench seat adjusting rod question I was wondering if that’s what everyone is doing, because there’s a reason you can’t find any original setups. __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

11-14-2022, 12:55 AM	#4
Fbks_Cruiser Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 329	Re: Bench seat adjusting rod question My 72 doesn’t have a rod. There is a cable in its place that appears oem. Sorry I don’t have pics but it seems you could rig up something using 1/16” cable. __________________ 1972 GMC K2500 Super Custom Matt

11-14-2022, 01:10 AM	#5
howzzzit Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 308	Re: Bench seat adjusting rod question I have a 72 c10. I believe I bought the replacement steel cable setup instead of the wire type setup from LMC. It has an adjustable turnbuckle to adjust the tension. Leave it slightly loose. Seems to work fine. I just put my seat all the way back and never change it, but it does the job. https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...eat-components Last edited by howzzzit; 11-14-2022 at 01:24 AM. Reason: link

11-14-2022, 03:12 AM	#6
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,300	Re: Bench seat adjusting rod question Here are some photos of an OE 67/68 adjuster rod on a bench seat I had in my truck. Both ends had a double 90° bend. There was a hole at the rear of the bottom frame for a support spring. I didn't have the original spring so I found one at Ace that worked. Attached Images Last edited by pjmoreland; 11-14-2022 at 07:24 PM.

11-14-2022, 10:35 AM	#7
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,528	Re: Bench seat adjusting rod question Both of my 1968's have the bow and the non-spring hanger.

11-14-2022, 07:12 PM	#8
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,420	Re: Bench seat adjusting rod question Thanks guys __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)



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