| Author | Message | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 108 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 198.228.213.102  Rating: N/A |
Where is a good place to find a better seat? I have the factory probably original bus seat. I'm looking for something simple looking, I don't want it to look like a big ol' barka lounger chair for the driver, but man my butt gets sore after a full day of driving. Maybe even just new cushions on the original seat would be an improvement. A couple of Internet searches have led me to some crazy over the top choices. More apollo 11old school, not space shuttle/777 first class | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 383 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 50.39.216.227  Rating: N/A |
Scott Go to the wrecking yard there are so good seats oout of cars or trucks. I am useing the middle bucket from 2002 KIA Sedona, leather not real plush but nice to sit in for long time. I had to buy a little flat steel, drill some holes and went in quick. Road it from OR to FL and back was great. Larry | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 76 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 71.193.166.23  Rating: N/A |
Shy of some armrests, I love the factory seat in my 1955 GMC 4512. Even has back tilt adjustment and seat strut strength adjustment (to accommodate for heavier/lighter drivers) But I suspect it has been re-built w/ current foams and marine vinyl. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2275 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.89.176.44  Rating: N/A |
Do not discount the stock seats out of hand. All they need is a proper refurbishment with the right materials by the right vendor. The foam goes dead as time passes. Thousands and thousands of drivers sat in them for millions and millions of miles. A lot of thought and calculation went into the older coaches with regard to chair and wheel position. I casually drive the newest coaches, and depending on the coach, I wish for the old chairs, and a fixed steering wheel. Multiple adjustments in both the chair and the tilt/telescopic wheel do not make up for bad ergonomics and placement. When I had little choice, I sat comfortably. When I have lots of adjustment, I just end up making myself uncomfortable. If the chair in your older coach is uncomfortable, there's something wrong. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 1036 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.145.15  Rating: N/A |
If you go looking in a "Dinosaur" bone yard you might be able to find an AMC Alliance, Renault or AMC Jeep from the final years . All of these have a seat that is fore & aft adjustable it also has a leaning back adj. but the selling point for me was the "rocker" feature...which allows the user to shift the center of their gravity much in the way a LayZboy does when you kick it back . I have 2 lower discs damaged in addition to having broken my neck twice so finding the "sweet spot" in terms of a seat or any seat used to be a challenge until I nabbed a pair of the afore mentioned items . Last one I saw could have been mine for $25 . BW... I only know that the original chair in my 4106 had become a internationally legally defined device of torture AND any adj was NFG because it was all seized up tite that & it's pedestal are both shinney new beer cans 10 x over by now . | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 109 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 198.228.212.65 Rating: N/A |
I like the position the stock seat sits, the way the wheel feels, pedals are easy. Other than the pressure required to hold the gas pedal down. (is it supposed to require a lot of force? Even the throttle linkage on the engine requires to hands to move to full throttle) maybe it can be lubricated? Anyway the viynal is torn and worn, the padding is lumpy and hard, not squishy and soft. Maybe just a good apholstrey job with modern memory foam... Perhaps a double dose of padding, but something with a spring and padding in combination might help my tailbone and blood circulation. I like the looks of the factory seat, it's industrial and practical looking and great for our look in the bus. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 2260 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Comfort-Products-All-Season-Cushion-Black/19530349 you might want to try this item; from Walmart. I use one on my cycle, as do several others with very good results. Has an eggcrate design foam that absorbs shock well and mesh on the one side. For 20 bucks, it's worth a try till you go for another seat. Comfort Products All Season Cushion, Black Comfort Products All Season Cushion, Black 2-sided design Natural reflex foam on one side and comfortable memory foam on the other $19.96 See store availability • Free store pickup today - order online now | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 671 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.112.182.103  Rating: N/A |
Scott, your twisting to keep pressure on the pedal aint helping! while the engine work is getting,done see if you can get the parts guy to pull your cable and lube it for you (!) or look into an air throttle with possible cruise added later as a bonus) The great thing with a bus platform is the wide varity of seats you can bolt in. Height and fore and aft are really important to me. Jack had a great point about the additional adjustments that help. I got a good used takeout airseat from a class 8 truck and love it. Air up and down,adjustable lumbar and seat back, and the front edge can be raised and lowered about an 1 to 1 1/2". It also has an unlock so the seat can float fore and aft about 1-2". Altho the hiback doesent look good in a 48 bus it sure feels good. You want your foam to be stiff and supporting not soft. Every answer to your post so far is right on. Just remember its got to be SECURE. Lots about seats in the archives. The older Chrysler stuff with electric adjustments was the the rage but alot of the newer autos have that now no problem. Recaro (?) makes seats for buses trucks and stock for alot of cars as well. Hit the wrecking yards with your tape measure and camera. | ||
| Brian Evans (Bevans6)
Registered Member Username: Bevans6 Post Number: 131 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 207.164.79.27 Rating: N/A |
For Scott - disconnect the throttle cable from the lever on the engine and see where the stiffness is. If it's in the cable - replace it or lube it, whatever is right for that type of cable. If it's at the engine control, fix that end, or if its under the floor at the front, fix that end. The weight of your foot should keep the throttle stable. One tip - on my bus there is a big throttle spring pulling the throttle closed at the engine and a balancing spring pulling the other way at the other end - to help overcome stiction from the long cable. Maybe your balancing spring at the front is missing. Brian | ||
| JC Alacoque (Jc_alacoque)
Registered Member Username: Jc_alacoque Post Number: 123 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 207.34.166.7 Rating: N/A |
I had the stock seat in the Courier 96 reuphaulstered a few years ago. It is very confortable since. JC | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 485 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.225.213  Rating: N/A |
Just for fun. Check this site out. www.knoedler.com you might find some seats there that strike your fancy | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 259 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 206.58.200.38  Rating: N/A |
I have a pair of ISRI driver seats w/arm rests about 1 year of service out of a late model Prevost if you or anyone else could use them. | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 384 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 50.39.216.227 Rating: N/A |
Scott Go to IRSI seats for sale==They have what looks like a good one for 149.00, will also tell shipping costs in add. cloth blue high back all the goodies. Larry | ||
| Arthur N. Gaudet (Runcutter)
Registered Member Username: Runcutter Post Number: 41 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 76.186.241.249 Rating: N/A |
Scott, I'm with BW on this one. I used to spend 12 hours a day in everything from 4512's through fishbowls to 4905's, all with the old National or American seats. When we brought our 4107 back to Texas from the northeast, I found that I could still drive a longer day, in the original seat, than in my Lincoln. If I were in your shoes, I'd look at having my seat overhauled, by an experienced firm that knows buses. http://www.bergenseat.com/about.html I'd strongly suggest Bergen Upholstery. My understanding is that Nancy Citti there has been a strong supporter of bus preservation as well. I also agree about your accelerator -- it shouldn't take any more effort than your car does. Find where it's binding, and fix that -- which will also probably make your seat more comfortable. Arthur | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 111 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 198.228.214.100 Rating: N/A |
previous drivers butt imprint was included at no additional charge.  | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1890 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.195.175.142  Rating: N/A |
Scott - I have to agree with Buswarrior and Runcutter - the OEM seat, when properly upholstered and adjusted, is extremely comfortable for long periods behind the wheel. BTDTHTS! GM, especially, was really good with driver ergonomics back when they dominated the bus industry, by far the most comfortable to drive. Since you've got some downtime while the engine's being worked on, this would be a good opportunity to remove the seat, send the cushions to Bergen to be reupholstered, disassemble, lubricate all the moving parts, and reassemble. Probably less expensive, too, than cobbling together a mounting pedestal for a junkyard find. Since the engine's out, this is also a great time to install an air throttle and not have to mess with a sticking cable. Williams Controls is the major supplier to the industry, should be able to find one easily. Most later model transits came from the factory with them, so they're out there used. FWIW & HTH. . .  | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 113 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 198.228.214.100 Rating: N/A |
My back is never the issue. As soon as I get the bus back from the Mechanic I will tear into that accelerator cable. I don't need to pay Clarke Power $129 an hour to do that. Yes that is an added factor to my discomfort. I just assumed it was like a dead mans switch...you hold your foot down as hard as you can until you die. It pops pack up no problem so it's like there is a spring against it. I never investigated how that system works. I'm talking to Luke about taking the bus out to him for some work, I'll let him tear into it if I don't have it fixed by then. I need to hook up with another bus nut, and let them drive the bus so they could say hey this shouldn't be like that, this is not right, and this should be adjusted better or what ever.. I probably have like 20 things wrong that I don't even know about...to me it's just like that because it's a big friggin old bus and that's how it's supposed to be when in reality 20 things need fixed. Re doing my seat is the way I will go. Seeing the butt imprint permanently left in the seat might be a sign that the padding is worn out. It looks like it was done before but maybe not with the correct materials. | ||
| Arthur N. Gaudet (Runcutter)
Registered Member Username: Runcutter Post Number: 42 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 76.186.241.249 Rating: N/A |
Scott, a suggestion. Email that photo to Nancy Citti. The seat cushion looks shiny to me, and I don't remember ever seeing anything other than a flat/matte leather finish. It may have been redone in the past, that may be part of the issue. There were two prime providers of driver seats to GM; American and National. I'm not sure, but I suspect yours is a National. Whichever it is, our 4107 has the other one -- as did almost everything I drove in revenue service. I know from experience that they're comfortable for long periods. I actually wish the driver seat in my Lincoln was as comfortable for long trips. By the way, what part of the country are you in? We might be able to steer you somewhere to look at comparable seats (actually, I have the driver seat out of a 4106 in my office, if you're in the Dallas area). Arthur | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 114 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 198.228.214.100 Rating: N/A |
We are planning a trip in jut over a week 27th-29th to dallas with the bus. She seat does not match the seat back. material and pad is different between the two. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2278 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.67.37.56 Rating: N/A |
For busnut use, don't put any shiny slippery material for the seat covering. It will make you sore, or tire you out, keeping yourself still. Your bum needs something to grip. Some fleet managers chose the shiny stuff in an attempt to get longer life out of a re-upholstery job. Seat material doesn't last long when it is being sweated on... The people who choose shiny materials are not the ones having to sit on them day after day. Seats are like tires, they don't last the life of the coach, they wear out periodically. The original chair is starting to get crappy in 3-4 years of high mileage, say line haul +120 000 miles a year. A little longer for lighter mileage charter work. And then the life of the replacement seat can be quite a bit shorter, depending on the amount of money spent to refurbish it. The newer chairs with plastic parts in their mechanisms have further reliability issues as they age, stuff breaks in the adjustments, triggering an entire chair replacement. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Arthur N. Gaudet (Runcutter)
Registered Member Username: Runcutter Post Number: 43 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 76.186.241.249 Rating: N/A |
BW, Russ, I wonder -- is the normal seat material why our pants always got so shiny? In the scheduling course I teach, I start off with a discussion of specificity of language -- and use the example of a standby driver (the job), done by a driver on the Extra Board (the driver category). I've compiled a list of synonyms used on different properties. One of my favorites was "shiner," The probable source being sitting so long waiting for a run, making the pants even shinier. Someone also suggested that, since it's one of the first reports in the AM, it could be related to "rise and shine." I kind of prefer tying it to our shiny pants -- built in rear end reflectors. Arthur | ||
| Brandon M (Brandon314159)
Registered Member Username: Brandon314159 Post Number: 78 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 71.193.166.23 Rating: N/A |
Here's a photo of the stock seat in my 4512. Quite comfortable (I've driven very long freeway stretches with it). No slippery stuff here. The underside mechanical do need lubrication, but for a seat that is that old (likely rebuilt) I cannot complain. I have a bad back too. Definitely need to do the throttle trick outlined here. Holding my throttle down causes my right leg to cramp up. Cheers Brandon M http://theghostbus.org  | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 733 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 108.4.176.31  Rating: N/A |
I asked the PO that converted my bus why the copilot's chair was fancy and the driver's seat was OEM. He said that originally they both matched but he liked the OEM seat so much better that he swapped it back in and gave his high dollar seat away. He stated the aftermarket stuff looked good and comfortable but for the long haul the original was the best. I have a brother that is a professional driver who says he can fall asleep driving five miles in a car but can drive 12 hours without a problem professionally because of the upright seating position found on commercial equipment. I would agree that it is more difficult to fall asleep in a truly seated position. I feel sure GM felt the same way. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2281 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.67.37.56 Rating: N/A |
Sitting on newspapers instead of the pool of sweat from the previous driver was good for a black shiny bum... Those plastic seats to keep your bum aired out only arrived in the 70's, and to this day, they are a consumable, cracking or otherwise breaking frequently. The wooden beads with some sort of plastic fish line holding them together seem to be popular, I like them, but they break apart too. The new fancy contoured chairs are even harder on the driver's attempts to get some isolation from the puddle than the older flat styles. Yup, bus drivers bums always showed the wear and polish of long days seated behind the wheel! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1698 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 97.213.116.95  Rating: N/A |
We both, driver/passenger, use Chrysler New Yorker (1980's/90's vintage)leather seats...Thanx, Fred Hobe.... Great investment, great comfort, no regrets....after a whole bunch of years! FWIW RCB | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 2271 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157 Rating: N/A |
we kept the factory seat in the 4104, but had it recovered with fabric in the seat and back area. Was not tiring on long trips. An air ride suspension with it would have been helpful though. |