2019 Force HD Seat Swivels

[The Renegade]

I wanted to post an update and picture to show what the swivels for the factory National seats can do and post about the install. First again thanks to Mr. Clemens for sticking with this and helping find a solution to the new changes and for sending me the swivels to try out.

The passenger seat is pretty simple and straight forward to install. Remove the 4 seats bolts and slide rail bolts. There is 3 options as far as hole alignment for the swivel which really does not matter which you choose. The way I installed, you do have to cut the slide rails bolts off to about 5/8" which when installed back onto the swivel, will allow them to clear the bottom of the swivel mechanism. Put the seat back on and done. Now it is difficult in a place or two to get to the nuts to tighten back up but not that bad.

Drivers side is where we concerned. Removed the seat and slide rail bolts and cut the bolts off like on the passenger side. I did put more thought into this side because Brian was concerned about it cleared the steering wheel when swiveled. With the 3 options for bolt holes on the swivels, I used the option which would move the seat away from the steering wheel when turned. On the bottom of the seats there are 2 options for bolt holes and again I chose the option which would give more clearance when turned. When making these choices, it was a little tougher to get the nuts back on the bolts and get your hands and ratchet in there to work but it can be done.

Results on the drivers side is they are great..... To operate you raise the steering column up and out of the way. Next scoot the seat forward and start to swivel. Halfway around you scoot the seat again and continue turning the swivel. Works like a charm and really simple. Brian there is plenty of clearance between the seat and steering wheel when the seats are turned. I don't know if the bolt hole options I chose might have made a difference to give more clearance or not but could not be happier.

I posted on another thread that the thickness of the swivel base is about 1 5/8" and today I measured the bolt hole centers for maybe other seat options or maybe a fabricated plate to help with the DX3's

The centers for the 3 different options on the bolt holes for the swivel to the slide rails are 11", 11 1/2" and 12".. This is a front to back measurement. Side to side measurement is 11 1/4" on center. Hope I explained this where its understandable and if anyone needs any more I would be happy to try and measure.

Once again Brian thanks a lot for sending me these. They really work nice...

[mookieblaylock]

Nice job, and nice write up.

Happy this all got sorted our for y’all.

JT

[AWF1945]

I would like to do this. I'm taking my seats out next year and having them covered in leather. Is there a link to those swivels? Will gladly purchase. Thanks
-slim

[The Renegade]

Here are the part #'s Brian posted a while back and the ones he sent me.
SK144815 (DS)
SK144817 (PS)

As far as where he ordered them from I have no clue. I know that you can order from your local Freightliner which I did but ended up canceling the order because he got them twice as fast as I did.

Slim again these are for the factory National seats Dmax has gone to now. But I will add that fabricating these to fit another seat I think is very possible. The best part is they are only 1 5/8" thick so it helps with the " too high " problem some have had. Also I think the DX3's may have larger seats Im not sure. Brian can maybe chime in and add better info then I can.

[shultz01]

Nice job Mountieman. This is now one of the options I'm considering. From what I can tell all the Dmax M2's have National bases. The Force now has the National seats as well and the DX3, along with previous year model Force HD's, have the bigger Lexington/LCI seats. The LCI seats are not your typical RV or truck seat with 4 mounting holes on the bottom to bolt to the slides on the seat base. They are what look to be conversion van seats with the base you see pictured that has multiple mounting holes for various applications. The swivel on the older Forces and all DX3's actually acts as an adaptor as well that allows Dmax to use the wider seat with a wider bolt pattern. As you can see from the picture the swivel adaptor is offset. It's also about 3" in height in the front because it has risers to tilt the seat bottom. This is how the seat ends up a bit off center from the steering wheel and so darn high.

So what I'm going to do is see if I can get the National Admiral seat with swivel and use the existing base. The National Admiral has all the features of the Bostrom WideRide and it also gives you a decent choice of genuine leather and Ultraleather colors. And by not having to purchase a new base, it will cost less. Or you can put the savings into having custom covers make to suit your taste.

In my opinion bigger is not always better. The primary function of these seats is for driving. The secondary function when swiveled is to be part of the living area. But in making them look more like furniture almost all the adjustability is lost. The LCI seats move forward/aft and the back reclines...that's it. They're much bigger and puffier than truck seat, but its form over function.

Truck seats can have air adjustable seat and back bolsters, up to 3 air adjustable back lumbar support areas w/backcycler, heat and cool options, fore/aft & up/down/tilt seat cushion adjustment, infinite seat recline dials, up to 17" adjustable armrests. All this is to make the seat fit you like a glove and allow hour number six feel like you just sat down.

My recommendation to Dynamax is to start offering the premium truck seats from National as at least an option and consider function over form. The Lexington seats are good seats, but the premium truck seats are more feature rich.

So to summarize the truck seats are:
1) Lower than the LCI's...even with swivel added
2) Centered on the steering wheel
3) More feature rich

[JC70]

x2

[FOURWHL]

I must be the only one that likes the stock seats lol

[The Renegade]

I should have done a better job taking pics and measurements of the bases and swivels but I was kinda excited to have them and just wanted to see how they were gonna work. If there is anything I can measure for anyone I will be happy too. Just let me know. I do not think the seats I have are the best by no means and I have sat in much more " plush " seats for sure but I really have no complaints with them or the swivels now.

[bclemens]

Nice job Mountieman....and thus the student becomes the teacher

[shultz01]

I called National this morning. You can order just the upper seat of any National seat and they all have the same bolt pattern.
They gave me seat upper and low profile swivel part numbers.
4U049.3xx - Admiral driver upper
4U079.3xx - Admiral passenger upper
229729-05 - driver swivel
229729-06 - passenger swivel

[The Renegade]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Nice job Mountieman....and thus the student becomes the teacher

LOL I am still the young Grasshopper with much to learn...

[RV Randy]

Originally Posted by shultz01

I called National this morning. You can order just the upper seat of any National seat and they all have the same bolt pattern.
They gave me seat upper and low profile swivel part numbers.
4U049.3xx - Admiral driver upper
4U079.3xx - Admiral passenger upper
229729-05 - driver swivel
229729-06 - passenger swivel

So you think if I remove the factory 2018 DX3 seats and swivels, these Admiral seats & swivels will bolt direct to the existing base? Any idea how much the new seat/swivel combo will reduce the height? Do they have 2 armrests on each seat?

Update: Just checked the National website and entered in 2018 FL M2 106 and it say the Admiral seat won't fit. Did they tell you it will actually fit?

[shultz01]

Originally Posted by RV Randy

So you think if I remove the factory 2018 DX3 seats and swivels, these Admiral seats & swivels will bolt direct to the existing base? Any idea how much the new seat/swivel combo will reduce the height? Do they have 2 armrests on each seat?

Update: Just checked the National website and entered in 2018 FL M2 106 and it say the Admiral seat won't fit. Did they tell you it will actually fit?

Hi Randy.

They told me the bolt patterns on all the seats and bases are the same. From what I’ve found the only difference between their medium duty Premium seat for the M2 and the Admiral is seat cushion width, upholstery choices, and features. The National seat and swivel should lower the seat at least 2” just taking into consideration the National swivel is only a bit more than an inch thick. The local Fleet Pride quoted the seat uppers at $999.99 (genuine leather) each and the swivels at $103 each.

Also note that Renegade has National seats and swivels in their Verona LE. The seats in their units are not the single armed bottom of the line seats. They have two arms and what looks to be bolster and lumbar adjustments. See picture. This leads me to believe we can use any model upper on our bases. There may be a small adjustment or two in doing so, but it will be worth it.

[RV Randy]

Thanks Andy, I'll check it out further.

[Graphicaccents]

I have a 2018 Force TS HD how can I tell who manufactured the seats in this coach? They do not have a swivel, and only one arm rest

[shultz01]

Originally Posted by Graphicaccents

I have a 2018 Force TS HD how can I tell who manufactured the seats in this coach? They do not have a swivel, and only one arm rest

Can you post a picture of the seats?

[Graphicaccents]

Here are some pics, they are very nice seats

[shultz01]

Those are the LCI/Lexington seats. They DO swivel. The yellow level releases the seat. Once released pull the seat away from the door then swivel it.

[Graphicaccents]

Fantastic, I just did both seats!!! Thank you very much schultz01. I love these forums you learn so much!

[shultz01]

Originally Posted by Graphicaccents

Fantastic, I just did both seats!!! Thank you very much schultz01. I love these forums you learn so much!

Happy to help. :-)