VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 37 Seat Springs and Frame Specs?

I was wondering if anyone has the specs icluding photos and measurements of a 37 1/2 Ton Split Seat or even the frame itself?

Looks like these are difficult to find. So our next stage of the project could be the making of
the 37 split seat ourselves if information can be found. :( :confused:

Thanks
Classic Finn

Classic Finn
I have the frame and springs for my 38 but they are several miles from my home and dont get near it on a regular basis. If noone else on the forum answer email me and I will make effort to measure mine 1 weekend.
Tony

Hello Classic Finn... I have an original set of '37 1/2 ton seats. When I get a few minutes I'll dig them out and take a few photos with measurements (in inches). I'll E-mail them to you, that way you can let me know what other information you need from them after you see what I send. I've done this in the past for someone here on VCCACHAT, but I don't remember who (I think they were in New Zealand).

Tony: I'm curious about your truck... are you sure the seat on your '38 is split? I believe the (only) reason for splitting the seat was to provide access to the fuel cap, which is under the passenger's side of the seat on the '37 (probably also on the low cab '36). I think I've seen '38's with the fuel cap on the cab behind the passenger's door. If this is the case, there would be no reason to have a split seat. I understand there are differences between the US built cabs and those built by Holden... it would be neat to have a list of the differences.

Thank you very much indeed gentleman! I can hardly wait to see the pics and info..


Best Wishes
Classic Finn

Classic Finn: check your private messages, I sent you an E-mail.

Grumpy
You are right in that the fuel filler protrudes through the cab behind (in my case) left door. My seat is a 2 piece unit, 1 for sitting on 1 to lean back on. Obviously you are talking about a 3 piece setup. My apologies to all concerned.
As for the differences between Holden bodies and the US version the only differences I know is left to right controls but there could well be lots more.
Tony

hey, lenn...glad to see you're outta hibernation..


epi

I just rebuilt the drivers seat in my 37 half ton, after it collapsed while dropping off a passenger grille at the chrome platers. I had to drive back 60 miles with a brick holding the seat up.
I can send you can send you a diagram of the wood frame that the ajuster and back bolts to. bolts to. ( the passenger seat does not have any ajustment.)
Is that what you are looking for?
I called Hampton coach and offered them original upholstery for a pattern. They were not interested.

Greetings Lou!

Would it be possible for you to send photos of your seats and how its connected to the base?

It would be interesting.

Grumpy did some fancy footwork on the computer to show different measurements of the seats.

Trying to be as original on this as possible.
So the 37 and 38 seats are the same? But not 36 right?

Thank you to each and everyone of you for the time and help.

Classic Finn

What does the original upholstery look like on these seats? Thats interesting a wooden frame?

Hey Chevrolet! I've been around, in and out. No problems really, just too many irons in the fire as usual.

Tonyw: my apologies also, I can't count... always miss these "trick" questions. There's an Aussie named Dennis that had a light yellow or beige '37 1/2 ton posted on the internet a few years back. He told a story of a long cross-country trip in the truck. Anyway, his windshield was two piece V-shaped like the US '39, and it had cab lights (I guess they were original). RHD also, but don't know what else.

Lou: my seat frames are an assembly of stamped steel parts: a beaded rim with "hat" cross-section stringers that support the springs. Also, the top of the seat has a rim around the perimeter of the upholstery foundation. The coil count on the springs steps up to form the seat contour. Pretty interesting construction (but I think typical of automotive seats for a long time, seems that my '69 Camaro seats were similar). If I remember correctly, you are into the bigger trucks... do they have wooden seat frames, or perhaps there were a mix according to production plant or by date?

Classic Finn: I stand by my belief that the '36 low cab (later production) and the '37 share the same seats, but that '38 and up were different. The photos I sent you show that the upholstery is plain / plain / plain (couldn't be plainer). One color, vinyl-like material, no inserts. Just piping running around the perimeter. I haven't ripped it apart, but I believe the piping is made up by the seamstress by wrapping the seat covering material over a cord and sewing it together. There is a coarse grain to the fabric, I can send another picture close up if you like.

Grumpy
The 37s had 2piece screen that hinged at the top my 38 has 2 piece but fixed and I not sure what my 39 has.
Tony

So your windshield is flat but two pieces? I guess I have been assuming the "V" shape of the windshield of the Holden '37 from my memory of Dennis's photos. The windshield on the US '37 and '38 is one piece, but still hinged at the top. Off topic for this line of postings anyway (my bad).

lenn,

good to hear from you and that life is good...did you ever find that set of spring perches?..


epi

Hey Kepi. I found the spring perch I needed at a small "salvage yard" in Grantsville (west of Salt Lake City). The owner of the yard sent his helper out with a cutting torch, and he came back with about 2 feet of frame with my perch attached. I took it home and carefully ground the rivets out (it isn't easy to do without messing up the casting). It sort of broke my heart to think they sacrificed a perfectly good frame (I think it was a '40) just to sell me a $35 part.

It's riveted to the frame now, along with a new battery tray from The Filling Station and the two front running board braces that spent their last few decades bolted instead of being riveted. I had the frame sandblasted (they used "Nevada Black" 30/60 mesh grit), then I treated it with Jasco Prep and Primer (iron phosphate conversion coat). Now the frame has a thin grey / black scale that I have to rub off before I prime the frame. I've been rubbing it with green or red Scotchbrite, and it shines up to a light gunmetal grey color. Like I said previously, I plan to epoxy prime and urethane topcoat the frame. I really hope to do it this summer yet, but I want to do the wheels and as much of the underpinnings as I can at the same time. Only time will tell how much I get done this summer.

wow, lenn...that's a lot of progress...keep on truckin'...


epi

Lou said, "I called Hampton coach and offered them original upholstery for a pattern. They were not interested."

Is this something that the VCCA should store away somewhere for reference?

Hey Gator.

I'm fairly certain that Hampton Coach sent me a '37 1/2 ton specific brochure about 2 years ago. I'd be positive if I could lay my hands on it, but all I can find without tearing my bookshelf apart is a similar one for the my '31 (brochure "C31-32-1"). I assumed they had a pattern, and if so, this is why they wouldn't need Lou's.

I did call and ask them if they had drawings or knew of a supplier for the seat frame on the '31, but they have neither. I can see that someday I'm going to go through what Classic Finn is going through now.

Lou: The passenger seat photo you sent me doesn't look at all like mine (or the frame photo's Classic Finn has, which does appear to match mine). Your seat looks like a modern bucket seat or an armless "captain's chair", while mine has a one-piece back and two piece seat cushion. Did Chevy offer two seat types? This seems really strange.

If it's not too much trouble, I'd be interested in the diagram you refer to... I was unaware of the need for any wooden mounts on the seat.

If it wouldn't be too much trouble I'd appreciate getting a copy of these specifications too. Old Blue ('37 1/2 ton) has the split bench, which I don't know if it is original or not. It has a metal pan supporting the springs and newer vinyl upholstery over foam and the springs. I am certain the seat back is not original. It has the later model bent over steel straps for mounting on the cab back. At some point I'll want to change these, assuming I am correct and these are not original. Thanks, 37Blue