# Can I swap my driver seat with a bucket seat (2nd row)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, suburban, seats, interiors\ **Created:** [February 1, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935 "2025-02-01T00:45:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/1 "2025-02-01T00:45:41Z")
Hello, I was recently hired by the post office and have been delivering mail. I drive on the passenger side when I am working. I want to keep a seat on the driver’s side instead of just removing it like most people do (to drive the vehicle when not working/leisurely). What I went with was I took the back of my driver seat off (it gets in the way when I’m working). This is all good, but now I have no seatbelt/seatback. I need to be able to get the seat out of the way when I begin my work route. The original driver seat will not go all the way down, only part of the way (it’s the motorized kind with heated seats), so I completely removed the seatback so I could work. It occurred to me, though, that the backseat (pilot’s chairs) would be perfect for this because I can drive with a seatbelt on the driver’s side with the bucket seat from 2nd row when normal, fold it forward and flat (like you would do in the 2nd row), and boom the seat is out of the way and wholly folded down when I am working, and when I finish boom flip it back up and drive from the left side. Is this possible/feasible at all? I already tried measuring and realized I can’t simply swap the whole thing as the frames aren’t swappable; they won’t fit. Can I take the back (2nd row) seat off the back frame and put it on the front frame where the motorized driver seat mounts? If this isn’t possible, would any of you have suggestions? Do the manual seats lay all the way flat like I need? If they do, I could look for a manual seat so it can lay all the way down. I am entirely open to suggestions, I’ve thought about mounting a shoulder belt on the b pillar driver’s side, but that seems sketchy; it really sucks to drive around without a seat back/no seatbelt. I am open to suggestions and trying to find the best fix. I have tools to put the 2nd-row seat on the driver’s side. Maybe a little customization, such as some drilling/cutting, lol. I really appreciate any help you can provide. I’ll be happy to upload pictures if it would help or try to clarify if any of this is confusing. Thank you in advance ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/2 "2025-02-01T00:56:49Z")
> [@owners4life5\_192692](#): > > Can I take the back (2nd row) seat off the back frame and put it on the front frame where the motorized driver seat mounts? No way to tell without knowing the year of the vehicle. But I highly doubt it. Tester ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/3 "2025-02-01T01:15:00Z")
That’s a good point. Sorry for not mentioning the year. It’s a 2006. As I said, I’m open to suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/4 "2025-02-01T01:47:25Z")
I have a manual seat in my 04 Avalanche it does not lay flat. Neither does the aftermarket bucket seat I bought for my Mustang. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 4:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/5 "2025-02-01T04:12:16Z")
Your best bet would probably contact some custom upholstery shop and see what they suggest and or a custom shop that might do right hand drive swaps… Also might see if you can find some forums for postal vehicles… Google _ **custom postal vehicle forums** _ and see what pops up… A custom fabricator may also be able to custom make some brackets… Just about anything can be done given the right fabricator and enough money… ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/6 "2025-02-01T13:41:46Z")
With the Post Office switching over to electric vehicles all over the country, I would think there should be a bunch of their old delivery vehicles for sale. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 1:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/7 "2025-02-01T13:49:12Z")
> [@It\_s-Me](#): > > With the Post Office switching over to electric vehicles all over the country, I would think there should be a bunch of their old delivery vehicles for sale. Excellent point! While those Grumman Long Life Vehicles are really old, their aluminum bodywork means no rust–at least on the visible parts. And, because the mechanicals are essentially the same as a Chevy S10, the parts are readily available and any mechanic should be able to work on them. Here is one that is/was available for purchase: [https://bid.barnoneauction.com/lot/28395-103614-193824/1991-chevrolet-llv-grumman-mail-truck](https://bid.barnoneauction.com/lot/28395-103614-193824/1991-chevrolet-llv-grumman-mail-truck) ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/8 "2025-02-01T18:24:46Z")
Keep in mind that changes like you’re describing could compromise the safety of your airbags, especially if you have side airbags. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/9 "2025-02-01T19:46:57Z")
> [@lion9car](#): > > changes like you’re describing could compromise the safety of your airbags, especially if you have side airbags Exactly Those captain’s chairs from the 2nd row don’t have an integral side airbag. If his front seats have an integral side airbag, he would lose that type of protection, and–this is just a wild-ass guess–it’s possible that the functioning of the front airbags could be compromised if the SRS module doesn’t detect that the side airbags are connected. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/10 "2025-02-01T20:05:19Z")
I’d buy that Grumman LLV and use as is before modifying that Suburban ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/11 "2025-02-01T20:58:05Z")
. I was a carrier for 10 years and then in charge of the vehicle maintenance until I retired. Well, I’m guessing you’re a rural carrier. sitting on the passenger seat and stretching your left foot over to reach the pedals. doing that for years will ruin your back and always seemed dangerous to me. they do make kits to have the pedals on the right-hand side too. they even have it so you can put another steering wheel on the RHS. The link below for the steering wheel is an example of the steering wheel conversion to the RHS. they don’t have a kit you would have to bring the vehicle to them to have it done. but with some research you might find a kit to do it yourself. Or you can purchase a right-hand vehicle. [Right Hand Drive Pedal Kits for Postal Vehicle Conversion | PEDAL PROS](http://www.pedal-pros.com/right-hand-drive-pedal-kit.html) [Morgan Dual Controls LLC - Right-Hand Drive, Dual Control](https://morgandualcontrols.com/) [VIEW INVENTORY | Postalcars](https://www.postalcars.com/inventory) ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/12 "2025-02-01T22:30:12Z")
Kind of what I was considering going for if the back-seat-swap didn’t work out, I know several guys that weld/fabricate. This was kind of the last option if I couldn’t go with what I was hoping for. > [@davesmopar](#): > > A custom fabricator may also be able to custom make some brackets… Just about anything can be done given the right fabricator and enough money… ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/13 "2025-02-01T22:31:30Z")
This is a great idea and something I’d consider in the future but it isn’t exactly feasible right now, I will definitely keep this in mind. > [@VDCdriver](#): > > While those Grumman Long Life Vehicles are really old, their aluminum bodywork means no rust–at least on the visible parts. And, because the mechanicals are essentially the same as a Chevy S10, the parts are readily available and any mechanic should be able to work on them. ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/14 "2025-02-01T22:35:55Z")
I’ve acknowledged this, and I appreciate your consideration, but yes the original seat came with airbags, they’re now disabled because I already have a right hand drive conversion, therefore I’m not concerned about the airbags not working in this vehicle, plain and simple. I know I want airbags but it’s not doable for my situation. I am still wondering/curious if anyone knows whether I can swap the back seat with the front frame. Otherwise, I have to go with something else, because that back seat fits the bill perfectly for what I need. If putting the back seat on the front frame is totally impossible, I need to forget about it and move on. > [@VDCdriver](#): > > Exactly > Those captain’s chairs from the 2nd row don’t have an integral side airbag. ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 10:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/15 "2025-02-01T22:37:04Z")
Too late, unfortunately. Already been modified for postal delivery, just trying to figure out this driver-seat-no-seatbelt, need-to-figure-it-out-soon situation. > [@db4690](#): > > I’d buy that Grumman LLV and use as is before modifying that Suburban ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/16 "2025-02-01T22:40:32Z")
> [@weekend-warrior](#): > > sitting on the passenger seat and stretching your left foot over to reach the pedals. doing that for years will ruin your back and always seemed dangerous to me. they do make kits to have the pedals on the right-hand side too. they even have it so you can put another steering wheel on the RHS. I did that one time and quickly realized that wasn’t going to work. I’ve already converted the vehicle over, just trying to solve this driver-seat-needs-seatback-seatbelt situation, because I still carry passengers (my wife and dog at minimum) when I’m not working. ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/17 "2025-02-01T22:50:12Z")
Thank you all so far for the great ideas and suggestions. Unfortunately, I am still curious if I can put the back seat on the driver frame and whether anyone knows if it is actually possible. If it isn’t, I am considering getting something fabricated to meet my needs. That is my last option, though. I am willing to take any suggestions and try anything. My current setup has a driver seat with a steering wheel, the seat just doesn’t have a seatback. I removed the seatback and that belt, but kept the bottom of the seat and replaced it with a lap belt (for now). I really need the shoulder strap (for high speeds driving), and while a seatback isn’t required, I’ve learned that it really sucks driving around without one. I have used a mesh/cargo net that I can take up and down as needed and still needing to mount a shoulder belt somewhere, but that seems pretty sketchy. Again, kind of a last option thing if I can’t come up with something better. I don’t want to mount a shoulder belt anywhere unless I have to. That is where the backseat idea comes in. I still have the seatback to the driver’s seat, but I don’t want to put it back on because it doesn’t go all the way down like I need whenever I am delivering my mail on the passenger side (so I can access packages, more mail, etc. behind me). Therefore, I need something that can lay all the way down when working, and go back upright when driving from the driver’s side (not working, on vacation, travelling, etc.). The cargo net meets these needs and works pretty good, but again I want to see if I can do something else before I settle on that. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/18 "2025-02-02T00:40:20Z")
Here’s a discussion of how to buy USPS delivery trucks. The short answer is go to [https://www.govplanet.com/](https://www.govplanet.com/) and check for delivery trucks. They will be old, high mileage trucks but might serve your needs. > **[Here's How You Can Buy a USPS Mail Truck](https://www.motorbiscuit.com/buy-usps-mail-truck-2/)** > > Here's a look at how regular car shoppers have the chance to purchase old USPS vehicles like the Grumman LLV through the GovPlanet government surplus website. ---
**Author:** ![owners4life5\_192692](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bb73d2/32.png) [@owners4life5\_192692](https://community.cartalk.com/u/owners4life5_192692)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/19 "2025-02-02T01:00:58Z")
I appreciate your input but I’m not looking to purchase another vehicle right now. Perhaps in the future. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935/20 "2025-02-02T01:20:22Z")
> [@owners4life5\_192692](#): > > I’m not looking to purchase another vehicle right now Is this the only vehicle you have ? Does you wife or anyone else ever need to drive this thing without a drivers seat back? There is no way I would have my wife drive a vehicle with this unsafe modification . [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-swap-my-driver-seat-with-a-bucket-seat-2nd-row/198935.md?page=2)