Need advice on custom seat mount.

[tinhorn]

I bought a third seat from a Yukon (or some such vehicle) because I wanted a bench seat and the Yukon seat has self-contained lap and shoulder belts. Apparently this is a popular choice for older pickups, too. I have shamelessly decided to copy a mounting frame design I saw on a pickup forum.

I have a Harbor Freight wire-feed welder that has been sufficient for welding up some custom bicycle frames that have held up for several years. But here's my dilemma: I'm not sure how to select the proper metal for building my seat frame. Heck, I get confused even reading the names of the different types of steel.

Would anyone care to comment on my choices of 1) 1/2"Dia x 6'L ASTM A108 1018 Low Carbon Steel Round Stock and 2) 1" OD x .120" Wall x 6' L ASTM A513 ERW Welded Mechanical Steel Square Tube for this project? (I can get both from Fastenal.) I want something that would stand up even in the event of a collision.

 

[73CJ]

Looking at the pic, I would suggest using the 1"square tube for the legs too. It would give a bigger base and more area for weld. Use a backing plate under the floor too.

1018 is fine and one of the most common grades.

 

[tinhorn]

Thanks! I'd already determined to use tubing for legs instead of those bolts, and to use backing plates. Mostly concerned about the round stock--I've seen some that's pretty rigid and some that pretty malleable.