1997-2003 Ford F150 XL Seat Upgrade | Strongman Garage

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If you have a 10th generation Ford F150 XL and want to replace the base model bench seat with buckets or a split bench from a higher trim level truck here is how I did it. The mounting locations are already there as shown in the video. I didnt show the part of threading the holes for bolts but I found you can also just run the bolt down and it threads itself.
Any seat out of a 1997-2003 Ford F150 or Expedition will fit
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[@KalleSWBeck]

Tools and parts may contain affiliate links Tool List T55 socket amzn.to/2DFv9BF Use our amazon link for all your purchases amzn.to/2Fk9oaE Filmed with a Cannon G5x amzn.to/2DARosb

[@sonnydlyte3407]

Halo! Just did the same swap from the stiff full bench seat. The swap was pretty simple and was glad to know ahead of time(thanks to the vid) about the holes not being threaded for the new split seat. Hint-no need to tap and die...the t55 torx bolt will thread them easily without out hurting the threads. Thanks man!

[@KalleSWBeck]

How much better is it now?! Yeah I found out the bolt self tapped good enough after the first few as it seems to be soft metal but wanted to do it “right” for the KZbin experts 😂

[@Vap0rvic]

Ok that’s what I wanted to find out if I had to tap it or not so I can just put the bolt in without tapping it

[@grantlacina1673]

Good tip, thanks!

[@perlamartinez9082]

From what car does the seats come from?

[@Comm0ut]

Thanks for the info. I have three of those trucks running and one in progress and this video comes in handy before visiting pullapart tomorrow. Heads up to 4.2 owners, even the late intake and gasket are not permanent hydro-lock fixes so keep an eye on your oil. A CLOSE eye and the moment it shows moisture discoloration park that truck and fix it properly (which is tedious but not horrible though next time I'll pull the hood and fenders because it's so fast though most folks are intimidated by what seems extra work.

[@grantlacina1673]

Thanks for the info, glad I'm not the only one who thinks the standard bench sucks!

[@KalleSWBeck]

Luckily they made millions of these trucks so it’s easier to get a nicer seat out of a higher trim level truck or expedition

[@EastDallasKicks]

Eh nah

[@Cfass1]

On a work truck I would much prefer a bench seat because they’re much easier to sleep on but in a personal truck a split bench or bucket seat is definitely the way to go

[@metatechnologist]

Dang I forgot about taking a snooze lol

[@peterrobinson7803]

I've had my '00 extended cab F-150 XLT 2wd since new. I just finished replacing my stock upholstery with leather on the original seat frames and foam. Mine's a weekend cruiser so l went whole-hog. New carpet, new leather headliner, changed the color, Nav system, etc. I've found that there are fittings and wiring for every possible interior setup already in place. Under the carpet, there is wiring that ends in plugs that weren't used on my truck, boltholes that are plugged. They only made one floorpan and one wiring harness for 10th gen vehicles of a common size. All extended cab F-150s, 250s, Blackwoods are the same metal. Regular cab too.

[@KalleSWBeck]

That’s right Enjoy your truck!

[@dg5476]

Have the same truck and bench seat I have been thinking of replacing. I feel more confident now after watching this video.

[@KalleSWBeck]

It’s very easy!

[@crackseller321]

I have same year and all. Thank you years later for this video I fuckin love you tube

[@KalleSWBeck]

Haha me too, I’ve had 3 trucks since this one 😅

[@crackseller321]

I'm doing the fuel pump and starter. My landlord gave Mr this baby for free. Lil tlc and she ready

[@KalleSWBeck]

Good trucks! Hope yours treats you well. I miss mine, most reliable truck I ever owned

[@markditz6282]

I just got the same seat in your video today. Your right about the stock cup holder. Worthless and easy to break. Can't wait to have the center console with cup holder. Thanks for the info!

[@KalleSWBeck]

You are going to love it. FYI you don’t have to tap the bolt holes just thread a bolt into them and they will catch

[@markditz6282]

@@KalleSWBeck That's what I was hoping cause, I used up all my Macgyver fixes. LOL

[@berube361]

I have a 2003 f150 single cab stepside XL I picked up recently. Already has these split bench seats and also has carpet. The rest looks pretty bare bones as shown in this video. Truck has 204k miles and interior is in excellent shape. Who knows at what point someone swapped the seats or maybe it came with the truck, hard to say.

[@EastDallasKicks]

97-03 f150 and 04 heritage before they got the little boxy style and window etch with the square headlights.

[@SLOWLFXV6]

I did this and when I swapped mine it took about an hour and half, the holes with no threads I didn’t tap, I just put a lot of pressure on my ratchet and tightened the bolt in the hole without threads and it worked

[@KalleSWBeck]

Yeah it turns out you just use the bolt to thread it

[@RobLessard]

was really nervous about doing this, appreciate your comments tho

[@rotaryjunkie9502]

Looks super easy. I plan to swap my bucket seats out for the split bench setup. 😃

[@coltonedds2253]

I got a solid bench I want to swap it for a split bench

[@bigman-jm5mf]

Just got my 01 in a trade. Everything I'm seeing about this gen so far we starting to think my buckets where rare. I'm a big guy so the bucket is pretty comfortable for me

[@rotaryjunkie9502]

@@bigman-jm5mf yeah, they are nice. I wanted/needed the bench for my kids. I would've been able to fit both car seats that way. I sold the truck and got four door instead. I needed it for my 3rd kid lol

[@purpledoge4466]

thanks!! gona take my bench seat out,but am doin A floor pacth.Thanks to the damm seals on the roof been missing

[@KalleSWBeck]

Good luck!

[@ljaysperspective1775]

I ejoyed ur vid, my 98 has those very same seats. They are pretty comfortable. I like that i can move my seat forward or backward without moving the entire length of the seat. So wifi stays put, i have a cat can't bring him along. Lol thanks for sharing👍

[@Brian-bi7qe]

I have a 1997 f 150 xl 4.6 L I will be changing my seats to the split bench. In the video he mentioned that the wholes are not tapped. What he did not know is that the bolt is tapered and self tapping.

[@KalleSWBeck]

Yea I learned that :) just screw the bolt in and it taps the hole

[@SillyVehicleEnjoyer_]

What if I want to install a split bench seat in an expedition of the same years?

[@KalleSWBeck]

It’ll fit

[@SillyVehicleEnjoyer_]

My main goal is to have 9 seats in the vehicle (ill have the 3rd row folded down), so I'm happy to know it'll work. I have an F-150 with 6 seats too, so I basically wanna match them up, since I really love the truck.

[@KalleSWBeck]

Yes before this I had an expedition front seat in the truck so no reason you can’t swap the other way around

[@jamespeach425]

Just bought a 2003 f150 7700 series xl. Has a tear in the driver's side corner some of the form is missing in the tear like a lot of older trucks from getting in and out. Got a amazing price on it was gonna buy a cover but changing the seats looks easy so I think I'll go search the junkyards. Besides the seat the truck looks amazing.

[@KalleSWBeck]

Super easy

[@MichaelTJD60]

Dumb question, does the underside of the console lid have slots for storing small tools or pens? I'm looking to get rid of the console and passenger bucket seat in my truck and replace it with one of these 60/40 bench seats. Just hope the smaller console has enough room to store all the junk that's in my current center console. Glove compartment is already full.

[@KalleSWBeck]

I sold the truck a few years ago so I’m not too sure, there was a good amount of room but not as much as a true center console

[@rachealballiu9260]

Where did you get the seat?

[@KalleSWBeck]

Junkyard

[@brianbake3655]

good video I just got the same seats you got off of face book for free today and I am having a problem getting the driver side bolt that the seat belt is bolted in with out so that I can bolt the driver side seat in bit i agree with u the full bench seat sucks and the cup holders suck to .

[@KalleSWBeck]

Hmm odd… the holes SHOULD be there… look under the truck to make sure

[@brianbake3655]

I got it out today I had to get up under the truck and cut the bolt off so I got the installed

[@KalleSWBeck]

Glad to hear it!

[@Outcast_Family]

I'm trying to find a bench seat with a middle jump seat on my 92 f150 how can I do that?

[@adriang2332]

Does anyone know if it would be possible to to seats from an 11th f150 on a 10th gen?

[@bigman-jm5mf]

Would imagine it is might have to use your seat brackets. Something to possibly watch for is the air bag sensor so if you get one from a pick and pull get the harness to just to be safe. I know with a crown vic is something were had to watch for. A crown vic is basically a f150 just 4 doors and no bed

[@metatechnologist]

Thanks for this vid!

[@ryanwyrick6947]

mine has the set you put in.. i have a 98 xl... i want to throw navigator seats in the front like you are doing but i want navigator... should be straight swap ey? if mine already has the seats you have then i should be golden with the mounting... any thoughts?

[@KalleSWBeck]

It will have the holes already for bucket seats

[@ryanwyrick6947]

@@KalleSWBeck sweet thanks for the quick response so you're like positive that the Expedition bolt pattern is the same exact as this Lincoln and all the 10 gen trucks? I'm really hoping so because that puts me on a new Mission and in Seattle there's a lot of limo companies that could have left lots of Lincoln's around town at the local yards so I'm going to start looking but obviously it's going to be a few and far between because I'm almost positive I'm not the first one to think of this one but maybe I'll get lucky. I've been looking for two years on Marketplace and Craigslist every now and then for a tailgate and they're either a hundred miles away or $100 too much

[@ryanwyrick6947]

Damn I already found tan leather front seats out of an 07 Navigator but I don't think that's going to quite work what do you think or what do you know I should ask?

[@KalleSWBeck]

Before this I put buck seats out of an expedition in so I don’t see why navigator wouldn’t work as well. It has to be from the same generation of truck though

[@ryanwyrick6947]

@@KalleSWBeck I don't know exactly how Lincoln played it with the Navigator but the generation I'm referring to is definitely the same as the 10th gen F-150 / whatever the Expedition generation is that matches the 10th gen F-150 but I will definitely figure out exactly what years they played the Navigator I'm looking around for

[@GeraltOfRivia99]

do you know any touch up paint i can use for the plastic on middle seat lid? and the front dash? i have the same colour as you but the paints chipping off and i wanted to re paint all the plastic parts. would vinayl pain work?

[@KalleSWBeck]

Id do some research on the exact color to match but I used SEM interior paint on other cars before and it worked and held up well. amzn.to/2EaAO54

[@gabrielboby6963]

I have one like that i need help with my seats where i can found

[@kennethnicholls8032]

Did the f150 of this body style have the same issue of spitting out spark plugs like the same year range expeditions?

[@KalleSWBeck]

That happened when they went to the 3 valve motor in 04 it was somewhat common on the 5.4 motors which most expeditions have. The 4.6 v8 is pretty bulletproof This one has a V6 which has zero power but is very reliable

[@paulsosa1872]

Kalle Beck I put long tube headers high flow catalytic converter and a cold air Intake on my 4.2l. Pulls like the 4.6 now. The long tubes are for the 3.8 mustangs they bolt up the same way.

[@KalleSWBeck]

Nice Paul! If I was keeping the truck I’d do some upgrades to make it less gutless but single cab trucks go away when the baby comes. Getting a 2014 Tahoe

[@thecat970]

You could sit on that jack just fine. Only the lairiats have seats that move up an down

[@jerrylacrosse1135]

what seat is that out of year model??

[@KalleSWBeck]

From a slightly higher trim 2004

[@bradh6185]

What did these seats come out of?

[@KalleSWBeck]

A higher trim f150

[@MeNitoA66]

Why did you get 97 F150 seats? You should have got the latter models

[@KalleSWBeck]

Because it was at pick n pull on $20 seats weekend

[@luisgarcia7563]

What year of expedición have this seat please..???

[@KalleSWBeck]

1997-2002 I believe

[@luisgarcia7563]

@@KalleSWBeck thanks

[@smokeyyy_da_tree]

I got a 2003 f150 v6 would i be able to swap my bench seat out for a seat like that

[@KalleSWBeck]

Yes that’s the exact truck I had and did it on Made a huge difference!

[@smokeyyy_da_tree]

What year did u pull the seat outta?

[@KalleSWBeck]

@@smokeyyy_da_tree Any 1997-2003 F150 or Expedition will work if it has power seats you have to do additional wiring which is why I why I found one with manual adjustment

[@smokeyyy_da_tree]

@@KalleSWBeck sweet i need a new seat bad tired of thr bench seat. What year on the expedition seat?

[@KalleSWBeck]

Same as f150

[@markgeorge2255]

Will Ford Econoline van bucket seats interchange with my 97 f150 ext cab, 3 door?

[@KalleSWBeck]

Not sure but I would guess no

[@markgeorge2255]

@@KalleSWBeck it's a Chrysler motor van. Sorry I was wrong. Could I make them work

[@KalleSWBeck]

With enough time and fabrication you can make anything work :)

[@Thelegendking-yj4bm]

What floor liner is that. Need to get rid of my carpet

[@KalleSWBeck]

Factory rubber mat the lower trim trucks like mine had rubber not carpet

[@garywheeler2055]

I believe SummitRacing has the rubber mat for obs Ford’s

[@jotu173]

1) Did you use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts or just tighten by feel or what? I ask because earlier today I just about killed myself (worked way to hard) removing these from a pick and pull truck. I did so without a breaker bar (used a 1/2 inch drive ratchet) but they all seemed to be very tight hard to "break loose" or rusted and were tough to loosen almost the entire way out. Not sure if PB Blaster I used helped or not (I think it helped). The truck was from Ohio (maybe salt rust???). 2) Do you think my struggle was just bad luck / a fluke? Or the norm? 3) Any tips on torquing bolts back down as I do not relish having to work that hard again at taking out my truck bench bolts and putting these bolts in.

[@KalleSWBeck]

Sounds like it was a rusty truck I am in California and have removed a few of these and never had any issues with a simple 3/8 ratchet

[@jotu173]

@@KalleSWBeck thank you for the super fast reply is I will most likely try to install these seats in the next 4 hours and your reply helped quite a bit; with my attitude towards it. So when you installed the new seat, you didn't use a torque wrench? You just tightened it down as tight as you could? If you used a torque wrench, how many foot pounds did you use?

[@KalleSWBeck]

I didn’t use a torque wrench

[@daviddelacruz3196]

You think some racing seats would fit? I just want more space

[@KalleSWBeck]

Anything can fit with enough fabrication This is a direct bolt in

[@1700AlmightyJosa]

So can I find race car seats dat fit?

[@anthonymoy4471]

What seats are the ones you put in out of

[@KalleSWBeck]

Just a bit higher trim F150 I wanted a bench and full manual with no power adjustment and went to pick n pull

[@rkjohnston9692]

I wish my pickup had vinyl flooring.

[@vbvini]

will seats from a expedition work I want to put in bucket seats

[@KalleSWBeck]

Yup! That’s what I had in before this

[@marvinreyes2910]

What car seats did you use? Really like how it ended. Thank you.

[@KalleSWBeck]

They are from a higher trim level F150 of the same year

[@marvinreyes2910]

Thank you I will be looking for them.

[@KalleSWBeck]

Tons at pick n pull if you have one in your area

[@Brandon134]

Those same seats wouldnt work in an 04? Same body type

[@KalleSWBeck]

Yes they would 04 was a mixed year

[@Brandon134]

@KalleSWBeck that's what I was thinking, thanks!

[@GeraltOfRivia99]

i have no idea what they were thinking with those hideous looking 1 piece seats.... good fucking god ford you failed on that

[@scottpeck1149]

35.00$ really? I didn't know such deals still exhisted my dog just chewed mine up today. Sob knows better too

[@KalleSWBeck]

Half off weekends at pick n pull!

[@scottpeck1149]

Oh nice! Ours near me says 40$ . I am going to see today, I haven't been to those places in several years. Thanks

[@KalleSWBeck]

They charge per seat and it’s a split bench so it’s technically two so try to make it appear like it’s a solid bench when you bring it up to the counter