<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=alt1>Excuse me for reposting, but this seems like a more appropriate spot than "Accessories". Thanks for the understanding guys...

Hey all-
Shopping for an '02 2500HD, with very specific options (I've got the time to be picky, and I'm not a big fan of the new corporate look of Chevy trucks (sorry '03+ guys! :o )). Have found several trucks exactly the way I want them, BUT they have buckets/center console instead of the 40/20/40 leather bench. I must have the bench to get all my boys and wife in this thing.

Question is-has anyone done a swap? Is it possible?

I don't have spec details from '02, but was the bench even an option on an LT? I'm afraid floor mounts, seat heater wiring etc. will be all wrong.

Thanks for the help-

Kevin
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I believe that the bench is available in all models. I ordered a '00 LT and got the bench, it is the only seat I would have. It was a 'must have' on my current truck, but I didn't order it, and it is the LB. (I think that's what it's called, one step up from the work truck).

Thanks Marc. I wish I could get the standard equipment/optional equipment list from the '02 HD brochure... Would make life much easier. Gotta have that bench, in leather-might have to do a road trip to get it though. Been surfing Autotrader, Carmax, Carfax, etc. with no luck.

The hunt continues...

How hard would this be to do after the fact. I have the buckets and the centre console but having the 40/20/40 would be nice to seat six. I couldn't find a truck with that option when I was looking - that's what I wanted. You think it could be done now by just finding a machine interior bench seat?

Kester,
Well let me tell you my story in hopes it helps.

When GM first announced that you could order the Duramax/Allison truck I went right down and ordered it. I sat with the fleet manager and we built the truck. I was in the same situation as you. I needed a truck that could carry 6 at any time. At that time GM did offer the optional bench. Where it got quite messy was when you want it with leather. Leather was only available if you ordered the LT model. My wife and I cannot stand the cloth as it builds up terrible static electricity and wore out fast. I did not want the LT as it is bucket seat configured with Onstar and all the other junk I was attempting to avoid by ordering the LS. Needless to say we built the truck, ordered the LS with optional bench leather front. I ordered it late July 2000. Well month after month passed and I had various reason why my truck was not being built. First it was shortage of Allison Trans, then came shortages of Duramax motors, then it was the Red paint, then it was the Crew Cab Dually option as they were not making a run of that configuration yet, all were 2500HD's. By early March GM finally called and said the delay was the leather front bench seat and it was not available. 1 week later I got a build date and I received the truck in late May 2001 with the gray leather bench front....:confused: . What was weird was I got a cross of some LT opitions with Rear window defroster but the CD only(fine by me as I do not have cassettes anymore). It came with out body side moldings and had privacy tinted glass. The guys at GM when it arrived were baffled as was I. But I got my Leather bench front which is all I really wanted anyway.

I do not know how many people got the bench front, not many from what I have read or seen. My 2001 Brochure shows pictures of cowboys sitting 3 front 3 rear but it is cloth, not leather. I have not seen a truck with leather front bench other than mine. I have had numerous people asking me who customized my truck adding the leather front bench. I said "I ordered it", they said they tried but were told "Not an option"

As for having someone convert a truck, I would suspect you might be able to find the console. But the LT with its full console might be hard to remove and be quite messy task. I am not sure if you want cloth or leather but maybe you could track down a truck with cloth bench and swap out. It is kind of dissapointing that GM does not make this an ongoing viable option. Having a full size crew cab truck with bucket fronts seems like a waste.

Good Luck on your quest.