Removing center piece in 40/20/40 bench

chevy4x4trucks · September 13, 2001

I was thinking about getting bucket seats, but then I thought... Is it possible to just remove the center section of the 40/20/40 bench??? I mean, the only dif between the bench and bucket is armrests, which is no biggie. If I could take out the center part I could get an aftermarket console in there.

chane · September 13, 2001

It will work.. I heard it unbolts w/the two front seats, just like the consoles. I have seen the part #'s somewhere for the center console replacement.

I think I saw a pic on sounddomain.com where someone had removed it for more speaker & amp room.

Jason Pendlum has instructions on removing it @ http://users2.ev1.net/%7Ejpen....htm

I

would go ahead and get the Denali Center Console if you are going to buy one. See http://users2.ev1.net/%7Ejpendlum/Web%20Pages/Parts.htm for pics and part #'s.

(Edited by chane at 5:27 pm on Sep. 13, 2001)

chevy4x4trucks · September 14, 2001

I just ordered some graphite carpet for my truck, so hopefully I'll get that within the next week and when I take out my seats to put in the carpet, I'll just leave out the center piece. Also, I think that I might build a custom center console. Not sure yet, I'll have to see what everything looks like. and if it's feasible.

chane · September 14, 2001

Why did you order graphite carpet? What color is your interior now? How much?

What would you build a console out of? I have seen the new center consoles on eBay before..

chevy4x4trucks · September 14, 2001

I've got a graphite interior so that's why I went with graphite. I ordered it off of www.gmpartsdirect.com and w/ shipping it came to a lil' under 200. My truck is extended cab, so if anyone has a reg. cab it would be cheaper I'm guessing. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about building a center console, I'll figure that out later. I'll check ebay to see what I can get a center console for, might go that route.

chane · September 14, 2001

Oh.. You truck doesn't have carpet now?

chevy4x4trucks · September 14, 2001

No, mine is a base model, the trucks got nothing. I plan on giving the whole truck a makeover, interior and exterior. My goal is to make it completely different from what I started with.

chane · September 14, 2001

So how much cheaper was you truck by getting the base model?

I probably should have done that since I'm changing everything out anyway. Instead of getting a loaded LS, I could have got a base z71?

chevy4x4trucks · September 14, 2001

Mine isn't a Z71, it's more than that. I have the high capacity air cleaner. I have the cast aluminum rims. I bought the additional skid plate for 60 bucks and I upgraded to rancho shocks. But by upgrading it myself, I save money by not replacing components that I paid for such as a factory cd player or the z71 package shocks. It takes more work on my part, but hopefully it will prove worth it.

SLambson · September 16, 2001

The center console does unbolt. I had all the seats and trim out yesterday wiring in a stereo system. The bolts holding the front seat are a bit odd. The require a 12 point socket. I found a 15mm for the front and a 11mm for the rear bolts worked well. You can remove the center by removing the inboard bolts on both outside seats and loosening the outboard ones. Rock the seats outward and slide the center console out and over the locating pins. Highly recommend a assistant. I had all the seats out and did it by myself. Vehicle in question is a extended cab 99 LS with power seats and the seats are suprisingly lightweight.

One thing to note, the bolts appear to be coated with a loctite type material. You may consider recoating them when done.

chevy4x4trucks · September 17, 2001

Just pulled out the center seat yesterday, I've got to say it really makes the cab roomier, now I need to find a center console. It would have been easier w/ two people, but w/ a little grunting and a couple of swears I got it out.

pacodiablo · September 17, 2001

make over on the truck??....start with escalade front clip, 22'' rims, denali console, leather, escalade door handels, black paint, full sound sys., and neting else u can get from an escalade