Any Negatives on a 40/20/20 Split Bench?

[TxDoc]

Any reason not to get the split bench?  Anyone gone from buckets to split bench and much happier?

[fgrimm]

Tx,

    Good question.  I have wondered the same thing.  Seems to me as though the front bench seat would be more usable.  I will order 2003 Tahoe real soon and have thought that I didnt need all the extra plastic that comes with the Captains chairs.    

 

frank

[NeXuS1]

my truck has the split bench. its nice, put the middle part down, have an arm rest, but then when you need a bench seat pop it up and poof. full bench. i like it. even my TR has a split bench. just allows more uses for me at least.

[Shaners]

I prefered the 40/20/40 power leather seats in my 1500 to the power leather buckets in my HD.

 

They aren't as adjustable, but were very comfortable.

[GreenRado]

I went with the split bench for the versatility also.  To me, w/ the arm rest up, there's more open space too.  I have somewhat mixed emotions about the design of the storage in the arm rest (things get jostled around a lot and sometimes make noise in there), but the versatility overcomes that issue, IMO.

[GnatGoSplat]

I have the bench now, and my center part doesn't fold down.   I personally would prefer leather buckets and a console since I have all this loose stuff in the truck that I have no place to put.  Anyone wanna trade?

[DuckhunterInTN]

I was dead set on getting bucket seats, but when the dealer found the exact truck I wanted with the 40/20/40, I ended up getting it.  Now, I would never own the buckets, except in a tahoe or suburban.  They bench seat is just as comfortable as the buckets and (in the LS models) has the same amount of adjustability, with capacity for an extra person.  Also, you feel much less confined with it as opposed to the buckets.

[chevy4x4trucks]

I have the bench now, and my center part doesn't fold down.   I personally would prefer leather buckets and a console since I have all this loose stuff in the truck that I have no place to put.  Anyone wanna trade?

You may want to take a peak at my webpage.  I had the same setup, but I took out the center section and replaced it w/ a console.  Much cheaper than buying bucket seats for the truck.

 

Personally I like buckets, the bench just feels like you're falling all over the place when you drive.

[GnatGoSplat]

You may want to take a peak at my webpage.  I had the same setup, but I took out the center section and replaced it w/ a console.  Much cheaper than buying bucket seats for the truck.

That looks great!  Only problem I'd have with it is there are still no armrests, even with the console.  The console almost looks too low and not shaped well enough to act as an armrest.  I know the trucks that came with the console have little pullout armrests on the sides of the seats.

 

Wish I could have those too!  I saw a full leather interior on Ebay go for like $1300 or so.  Ouch.  I'd like leather, buckets, and a console, but not THAT bad!

[fennsz]

I like the bucket seats. I looked long and hard at trucks before I bought mine. One thing the wife and I looked into greatly was this exact topic. I didn't feel as comfortable in the bench seat. It didn't seem to hold me in the seat as nicely. I would stick with the buckets, but again it's just an opinion.

[SilveradoWV]

I have the bench seat where the center doesnt fold down, it doesnt really matter to me anyway, because I would never run it down, but the storage would be nice. I have 3 in the front quite often so to make more room I unbolted the seats and moved the center seat back to give that person a greater amount of room. Everything pretty much fell into place, and I was wondering why GM didnt do that to begin with??

[chevy4x4trucks]

Shawn, you may want to consider finding some junked ones that are a little torn or something.  Then just get some leather seat covers.  You could get them pretty cheap and then turn around and sell your seats to make some money back.

[GnatGoSplat]

Shawn, you may want to consider finding some junked ones that are a little torn or something.  Then just get some leather seat covers.  You could get them pretty cheap and then turn around and sell your seats to make some money back.

Thanks for the advice, that's a good idea, except 99+ is a bit too new to find anything at the local salvage yards.  $200+ for freight from a salvage yard far, far away kind of kills the deal.   I'll keep looking though!

[Bob G.]

I specifically looked for a truck with the split bench seat and fold down console/arm rests. Then, I fabricated a custom box in front of the cupholders to mount my cell phone, CB and to hold other miscellaneous stuff. The only gripe is that the cupholders are a little low for my driving style. There are some pics on my website of the box.

 

Bob G.

[TomTom]

Out here in L.A. it was hard to find the bench, everyone had buckets.  But I wanted the 40/20/40 bench and finally found it.  Had one in my 97 to and wouldn't change from a bench ever.  (Although I liked the bench in the 97 better)  It just gives me more options and suites my needs better.