Craig,

I remembered a thread here about using Mazda seats...but I'd forgotten which model and I really wanted something cool like Acura Integra seats.

I am fortunate to have a friend that owns a salvage yard here in town. He let me wander around measuring seat bases all day...The last car I looked at...and I looked at all of them <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />...was a Mazda Protege. I didn't get the year, but it was a late model in good shape...I'm guessing '98-'01 model. He gave me both seats for $35.00 if I pulled them myself. That took all of about 15 minutes to remove 8 bolts.

I had another buddy weld a simple 2"x 2" tab made from 3/8" sheet steel at each corner of the seat frame, right over top of the bolt holes. I then pulled the old seats out ('86 Trooper seats have a 2" riser/spacer on each side that need to be removed from the rails, rather than just the old seat itself. The spacers are not necessary on the new seats as they are much taller) and set the new seats right on the rails to measure the bolt holes. I used some of my wifes red nail polish to line up and mark the holes on the new seat tabs (she never found out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />) and drilled away with a cobalt bit...4 bolts on each seat; done deal. I didn't need any spacers. I did have to deactivate the auto-slide on the passenger seat that eases rear entry...nobody ever sits in the back anyway.

The Protege seats are extemely firm and comfortable. They fit me fine, and I'm 6'5" and weigh 275 lbs. I put a bunch of miles on this truck and my chiropractor basically insisted that I get new seats. Since installing them, my back pain has disappeared...no lie. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />