Hey folks, resurecting this thread. I'm interested in going the other direction. I have the factory jump seats in a '73 A815F but after loading my mother in the back seat with such little leg room, I'm curious if a bench seat would provide a little more comfort.

I'd keep the jump seats for the utility.

Is the structure and mounting for a bench seat the same as the jump seats? Looking at the illustrated parts catalog, it's not clear how the bench seat mounts to the structure. There appear to be two bolts on either side of the seat, but another one that would retain the center floor post/bar under the front of the seat, and then another bolt that picks up an angled support/stiffener on the back of the seat. Are the bolt holes for those center supports standard in the 185? I'll have to go out and dig around to see if I can find them.

Since no one is answering yet, I have a bench in my 1980 180K. It uses four pins sticking up from the floor that the seat frame is attached with spring clips. Kind of like the hood pins on a Shelby Mustang hood. Is a totally different deal than the bench in my 1954 180. Maybe what I have is like your 185????

Slippery Wing wrote:Hey folks, resurecting this thread. I'm interested in going the other direction. I have the factory jump seats in a '73 A815F but after loading my mother in the back seat with such little leg room, I'm curious if a bench seat would provide a little more comfort.

I'd keep the jump seats for the utility.

Is the structure and mounting for a bench seat the same as the jump seats? Looking at the illustrated parts catalog, it's not clear how the bench seat mounts to the structure. There appear to be two bolts on either side of the seat, but another one that would retain the center floor post/bar under the front of the seat, and then another bolt that picks up an angled support/stiffener on the back of the seat. Are the bolt holes for those center supports standard in the 185? I'll have to go out and dig around to see if I can find them.

Just order a set of Atlee Dodge Cessna folding rear seats. They’re easily adjustable fore and aft, they fold up to give you a huge cargo area, the remove easier than the stack seats, though I’ve hardly ever removed them, and if you have three people and cargo, fold one seat up, and keep cargo fwd.

What’s not to like. I agree that the stock Cessna removable seats aren’t the best.

But the utility of the folders is amazing.

MTV

mtv wrote:Just order a set of Atlee Dodge Cessna folding rear seats. They’re easily adjustable fore and aft, they fold up to give you a huge cargo area, the remove easier than the stack seats, though I’ve hardly ever removed them, and if you have three people and cargo, fold one seat up, and keep cargo fwd.

What’s not to like. I agree that the stock Cessna removable seats aren’t the best.

But the utility of the folders is amazing.

MTV

Yes, I'm very aware of the folding seat options. I'm also aware of the cost.

What I'm interested in is whether or not I can drop in a bench seat that I can buy off someone for less than $500 without a ton of install work, or if I'll end up paying a bunch of labor to install nut plates or fasteners that don't already exist.

If that option is available and it provides a comfortable solution for lower cost than the Lakevue/FAD jump seats, then I'm inclined to go that route.

Short answer, yes the nut plates are there. I had a 73 185F several years ago. The points for the ends of the seat are the same as the jump seats. I also had a set of the factory jump seats, the forward edge of the bench seat and the jump seats are both the same distance forward of the door post but the bottom of the bench seat is longer front to back than the jump seats so the back is farther aft of the door post. This allows you to set farther back.

Tim

I've got a pair Cessna factory jump seats I would sell. 918-798-9053

bat443 wrote:Short answer, yes the nut plates are there. I had a 73 185F several years ago. The points for the ends of the seat are the same as the jump seats. I also had a set of the factory jump seats, the forward edge of the bench seat and the jump seats are both the same distance forward of the door post but the bottom of the bench seat is longer front to back than the jump seats so the back is farther aft of the door post. This allows you to set farther back.

Tim

Thanks Tim, that information helps.


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Slippery Wing wrote:....What I'm interested in is whether or not I can drop in a bench seat that I can buy off someone for less than $500 without a ton of install work, or if I'll end up paying a bunch of labor to install nut plates or fasteners that don't already exist......

While the jump seats are very handy, and plenty good enough for kids & occasional adult use,
I think a bench is much more comfy.
If moms is gonna ride along a lot, I'd go that route.
FWIW a few years ago I sold the functional but funky looking bench seat out of my 180 for $200,
and was damn glad to get it.
$500 should get a really nice one.

As far as mounting it, here's a photo--
I've flagged the attach points in my 1953 C180 for the early bench seat with surveyors tape.
One on centerline, just about abeam the aft door posts.
Another on centerline, a ways aft (24" ?) of the first one.
One on each side, at the brackets aft of the aft door posts.
The standard bench seat belts bolt to the seat frame.
Hope this helps.

hotrod180 wrote:

Slippery Wing wrote:....What I'm interested in is whether or not I can drop in a bench seat that I can buy off someone for less than $500 without a ton of install work, or if I'll end up paying a bunch of labor to install nut plates or fasteners that don't already exist......

While the jump seats are very handy, and plenty good enough for kids & occasional adult use,
I think a bench is much more comfy.
If moms is gonna ride along a lot, I'd go that route.
FWIW a few years ago I sold the functional but funky looking bench seat out of my 180 for $200,
and was damn glad to get it.
$500 should get a really nice one.

As far as mounting it, here's a photo--
I've flagged the attach points in my 1953 C180 for the early bench seat with surveyors tape.
One on centerline, just about abeam the aft door posts.
Another on centerline, a ways aft (24" ?) of the first one.
One on each side, at the brackets aft of the aft door posts.
The standard bench seat belts bolt to the seat frame.
Hope this helps.

That’s fantastic. Thanks Hotrod.

I realize the folding jump seats are probably the best long term solution, but for $500 if I can get a reasonable short term solution I’d go that route.


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A friend of mine modified the bench seat in his C180 years ago.
He removed all the springs, horsehair, & upholstery, and stretched ceconite over the back & bottom frames--
just like BAS (Lakevue) does their jump seats.
Then his wife sewed up a cushion for the bench.
This was when his kids were quite young,
and it was plenty comfy for them.
Grandma might need a little more cushioning.

He also replaced the pivot bolts with hitch pins,
so you can remove the back, then the bench--
instead of having to rassle the whole works out in one piece.

A former 170 bench seat now flying solo in the starboard position.



And it's bigger brother directly in front of it

Mapleflt wrote:....A former 170 bench seat now flying solo in the starboard position......

Never seen one done like that before-- very nice job!

Mapleflt wrote:

A former 170 bench seat now flying solo in the starboard position.



And it's bigger brother directly in front of it

I like the rear seat!

Mapleflt wrote:

A former 170 bench seat now flying solo in the starboard position.



And it's bigger brother directly in front of it

Fantastic rear bench mod. So clean.