Suspension Seat for 5 ton M939A2 - Low cost skidsteer seating?

[PapaPumpSD]

I've been reading that great upgrades for driver seating is an air ride seat. For me, that's too intensive of an installation and they're very pricey as well. I've been reading a thread where someone used Mastercraft suspension seating (mastercraft defense) that those seats are expensive as well.

Has anyone looked at skidsteer-type suspension seating? Here's an example of a vinyl suspension seat (fold-down) and it's $300 shipped from epay. If this one isn't a good option, perhaps another seat is? I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

My experience with skidsteer seats, and I've been in plenty, is that they are very limited on up and down travel. I'd take the springer base over constantly bottoming out any day.

A backhoe seat has the height and travel needed if you can find one for a decent price. The newer ones are air ride with built in pump. We replaced the factory seats in our locomotives at work for some new Cat seats. They were a major upgrade.

 

[PapaPumpSD]

My experience with skidsteer seats, and I've been in plenty, is that they are very limited on up and down travel. I'd take the springer base over constantly bottoming out any day.

A backhoe seat has the height and travel needed if you can find one for a decent price. The newer ones are air ride with built in pump. We replaced the factory seats in our locomotives at work for some new Cat seats. They were a major upgrade.

Thanks Swamp. What about something like this? This is a mastercraft seat and can take a 5-point harness. Could one mount this on top of the existing springer base of the M939A2?

[h=1]MasterCraft Safety Nomad Performance Seat 530004; $200 epay[/h]

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I'm not a big seat person myself. I'm only 160# soaking wet so most of the time the seat is fine by me as long as it has foam in it.

I just have a lot of experience with heavy equipment and saw the chance to give some input of that particular seat. Heavy equipment has some of the nicest seating around and there are many viable options that will work with the M939 cab. Finding some for a decent price can be a challege though. Me personally, I enjoy the springer base just fine. It completes the experience and keeps you alert. I completely understand upgrading though.

 

[PapaPumpSD]

I'm not a big seat person myself. I'm only 160# soaking wet so most of the time the seat is fine by me as long as it has foam in it.

I just have a lot of experience with heavy equipment and saw the chance to give some input of that particular seat. Heavy equipment has some of the nicest seating around and there are many viable options that will work with the M939 cab. Finding some for a decent price can be a challege though. Me personally, I enjoy the springer base just fine. It completes the experience and keeps you alert. I completely understand upgrading though.

I appreciate your thoughts regardless. I'm 200lbs and the stock springer seat leaves a lot to be desired, especially when off-road w/the beast. I was looking to get a seat that has both more support and "comfort" and a modern look. I also want to improve the passenger seating as those poor saps are getting tossed like crazy off-road!

 

[MtnSnow]

I put air-ride seats from the Hemtt vehicles. Just keep watching for them as I got mine cheap.

 

[simp5782]

I paid $150 for my air ride from a big truck junk yard. $40 for the protection valve, $20 regulator, $10 in line, and $25 for some steel pieces for under support. Took me about 2 hours or so. Getting the old seat out is the biggest pain and it outweighed the air ride seat by at least 30lb.

 

[Postman515]

I have some take-out hemmt air ride seats with custom direct bolt in drivers base for $300 + shipping. You will have to paint the base to the color of your choice bolt in and tap into airline and your done. I have these in every one of my trucks now. They are very comfortable.

 

[PapaPumpSD]

I paid $150 for my air ride from a big truck junk yard. $40 for the protection valve, $20 regulator, $10 in line, and $25 for some steel pieces for under support. Took me about 2 hours or so. Getting the old seat out is the biggest pain and it outweighed the air ride seat by at least 30lb.

That's great info, thank you for sharing. Any tips for getting the seat's air installed? I get a little nervous about altering the air system as it's such an integral system to the safe operation of the entire truck. My apprehension is most likely due to my ignorance of the subject matter though.

Thank you,

Brent

 

[PapaPumpSD]

I have some take-out hemmt air ride seats with custom direct bolt in drivers base for $300 + shipping. You will have to paint the base to the color of your choice bolt in and tap into airline and your done. I have these in every one of my trucks now. They are very comfortable.
View attachment 626315View attachment 626316

Thanks Postman. I spoke w/my partner (co-owner) and he doesn't want to modify the air system on the truck. This leaves us with installing better suspension seats.

 

[VPed]

I have installed MRAP seats on to stock springer bases. These are sometimes available for cheap. I have used both the driver seat and the troop seats. They usually include the five point belts. Easy to do and make a world of difference. Another thing that makes a world of difference is a new shock absorber in the springer base vs. a worn out one. I put in a small shock from a big truck cab air suspension in my deuce and I have not bottomed the base out since. And believe me, I off-road quite a bit.

 

[PapaPumpSD]

I have installed MRAP seats on to stock springer bases. These are sometimes available for cheap. I have used both the driver seat and the troop seats. They usually include the five point belts. Easy to do and make a world of difference. Another thing that makes a world of difference is a new shock absorber in the springer base vs. a worn out one. I put in a small shock from a big truck cab air suspension in my deuce and I have not bottomed the base out since. And believe me, I off-road quite a bit.

Great info, thank you. And how you have your seats setup, that's exactly what I want! That looks awesome and I bet the 5-point harnesses add real safety. They'll keep you in the seat vs. getting rag-dolled around the cab. I can't wait to get real belts and seats!

 

[Csm Davis]

You can tell your partner that the military even used air ride seats in 939 series trucks. So you are not endangering the system, just add the seats like the military and every big rig on the hwy has done for years .

sent from my decrepit fingers

 

[Csm Davis]

Also you should be able to get new air ride seat around 400.00 dollars

sent from my decrepit fingers

 

[shakey]

I bought a Cush-n-aire seat made by national seating for $50 from a semi salvage yard. since I kept my original spring seat base I found it cheaper to buy a passenger seat with a non adjustable mount and just use the seat part only

 

[BMYbri]

I have some take-out hemmt air ride seats with custom direct bolt in drivers base for $300 + shipping. You will have to paint the base to the color of your choice bolt in and tap into airline and your done. I have these in every one of my trucks now. They are very comfortable.
View attachment 626315View attachment 626316

Have any of these direct bolt kits and seat left?

 

[simp5782]

Have any of these direct bolt kits and seat left?

If he doesn't @Swamp Donkey has some seats

 

[Postman515]

I believe I have a 915 and 939 base left but no seats

 

[98G]

Have any of these direct bolt kits and seat left?

I have 2 complete GSS air ride seats. Delivery available to the St Louis area if I get them loaded by Wednesday.

I also have a high back HMMWV seat that would easily adapt to fit in a 939series truck if you can fab brackets.

 

[nayrbrellim]

I have 2 complete GSS air ride seats. Delivery available to the St Louis area if I get them loaded by Wednesday.

I also have a high back HMMWV seat that would easily adapt to fit in a 939series truck if you can fab brackets.

Did you get rid of these seats already? I'm looking for (2) seats to upgrade my 5 ton stock seats