Discussions

We have a 2012 GMC 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab dually truck. It has bucket seats in the front, so seats 5. We have another baby arriving later this year, so will now need a truck that seats 6. We would really like to keep this truck. Does anyone know if it is possible to switch out the two bucket seats in the front for a bench seat that seats 3? If so, where could we get this done? Our GMC dealer suggested contacting an auto wrecker to find a bench seat, but never said that the switch was definitely possible or that it could be done by them.

Yes the switch is possible but you would most likely loose the electrical in the seats therefore throwing airbag codes which would make your truck unable to be saftied and the possibility of not having your airbags not deploy in the event of a collision. The other thing is you may have to drill new holes in the floor pan for the seat brackets in my honest opinion its not really worth the risk to you and your family to do it as well as the costs of buying the seat and the mods to put it in

should they not be able to switch out to a bench seat with air bags in them? My 11 is bench seats and they have internal air bags in them and are powered, just don't have heat or a/c in them. Passenger seat is all manual and drivers is power (except for recline).  
I would look at MPI, SGI even whatever in Alberta for write offs and see how much it would be for a seat, I know you can buy parts from them sometimes...or used to be able to. Even call a aftermarket supplier and see if they can order you one, shouldn't be that hard. But I have been wrong before (according to my wife).

We were wondering about the electrical. Would rather not lose the power seats and heat/AC. We said all along when looking for a truck that we needed 6 seats. Then liked this one so much, we figured it didn't really matter. Little did we know what was around the corner!

It's actually a lot easier than you think, most of the newer trucks now don't have "bench" seats they have a 40/20/40. You can easily remove your centre console and buy a centre seat or "jump seat" as they are often called. The only thing you would lose is the power ports & the usb inside the console.

JFarmer........any idea where we could get this done?

You should go to the parts dept at murray's. Once you get all the info you should get someone to check the online used parts network for what you need.

If it was my truck I would do it myself, I find dealers don't want todo anything that isn't stock. Don't buy a seat from murrays, there is tons of brand new unused seats on Ebay. If you were really picky you could get it reupholstered to leather since none of the centre seats came with leather.

Just curious how old your kids are. I thought it wasn't safe for children under 12 to sit in the front seat because of the airbags.

Search "Silverado jump seat" on ebay.com and you'll see a bunch. Murrays could tell you which ones are compatible.

If you get a parts guy that is being a pain, talk to management!!! This is their job to help people. Sick of hearing how bad the dealerships are. Freaking ebrandon people would have you believe we're all out to kill you or rob you blind. I've seen way more stupidity and poor repairs from alot of small shops that are supposed to be great according to posters on here. Just inform yourself and know what you want!!!

campfire3 said "Just curious how old your kids are. I thought it wasn't safe for children under 12 to sit in the front seat because of the airbags. "

Oldest is 10. The truck is not our every day vehicle so it's not like she will be in the front on a daily basis, just when it is necessary to tow something and all 6 of us to go. Safer than sticking 4 kids in the back with 3 seatbelts or leaving one unattended at home!