Seat & Screw Question

[Tod59]

Hi Guys,

Since I'm new here, I'll be posting LOTS of questions on a variety of topics.

This is a 2 part seat question about our '59 short fleetside:

Question #1: In the picture is the bottom of our bench seat (original red seat material was covered over), are the square "ports" some type of vent on the bottom of the seat? I've not seen anything like this before......why are they there?

Question #2: The bolts on these "ports" and in other areas of the truck look to take a special bit to remove them. What is the special bit called and where can I buy a few? Are they called "Clutch Head Screws"? Do any of our sponsors sell the bits?
Thanks,
Tod

[lv2tri2]

Need a better picture of the bolts/screws.

[Tod59]

Originally Posted by lv2tri2

Need a better picture of the bolts/screws.

I'll try to get a closer picture tomorrow. But, do you know what the "cut-outs" on the bottom of the seat are for? Have you ever seen this before?

[Dan in Pasadena]

The cut outs aren't on either of two seats I've got. The stocker on my '55.2 and a second one from another TF, but I don't know which year. Maybe none of us have ever seen an original-from-the-factory seat? Or possibly an original GMC seat?

[Tod59]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

The cut outs aren't on either of two seats I've got. The stocker on my '55.2 and a second one from another TF, but I don't know which year. Maybe none of us have ever seen an original-from-the-factory seat? Or possibly an original GMC seat?

Interesting....I see Brothers Truck Parts sells the Clutch-head socket set for about $20. I'll be ordering those and taking the "flaps" off the bottom of the seat. I'll take a few pictures upon disassembly and post here.

[roger55]

My '57 seat has those too.

I can only guess but I'd say the seat bottom is sealed with the metal so mice can't get in there. The rubber with the slit in it allows the area to breathe.
They have to breathe to let out the flatulence.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by roger55

...They have to breathe to let out the flatulence.

Whose? The mice or ours?

Roger's probably right. Maybe this was factory original. Lot of ours trucks were farm trucks. Lot of rodents on farms. How many of our trucks are really likely to have original upholstery after sixty years? That's probably why so few of us have seen this setup.

[_Ogre]

if they are clutch head screws, you can typically use a flat head screwdriver to remove them



i have to say; i've owned/driven tf trucks since 1973 and have never seen that treatment under the seats
not saying it isn't stock/oem, just never saw that

[bowt1ed]

My 57 original seat has them as well. R/Jim

[Valarius_Starchaser]

I have been able to remove them with a #1 square bit BUT it made the bit and the screws unusable just switched to torques afterwards but for a full factory restoration the tools are sold and if your playing with a lot of 50s cars it may be wise to invest in one

[Cuttin up]

you'll find those screw heads on damn near everything on gm vehicles up to around 64. Its wise to get a screw driver for them. I got one off of a snap on truck, but they are available at other places. I you use a flat head screw driver, it'll work on some but you may destroy the head on some of the rusty/stuck ones.

[1project2many]

My '57 seat is built like this. It makes a great home for mice.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Tod59

I'll try to get a closer picture tomorrow. But, do you know what the "cut-outs" on the bottom of the seat are for? Have you ever seen this before?

Welcome. They are so farts have a place to drain, other wise the seat would start to poof up over time. Most aftermarket places sell a set of 4 clutch head drivers. Proto, etc also have them for rachet drives, I just use a pair of vice grips on the shaft. If it will not unscrew it usually breaks off.

[SCHRUMGMC]

My truck has the same set up for the seat '59 GMC