finding compatible parts for glider package trucks?

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Red Wide Glide, Oct 25, 2014.

  1. Red Wide Glide

    Red Wide Glide Bobtail Member

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    Aug 22, 2014
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    im sorry if this is a dumb question but im the FNG....

    i finished school and got my first driving job a couple months ago (milk tanker) and was assigned my truck. i ended up getting the newest truck the company has and from what our other drivers say usually when assigned a truck with our company its yours untill you or it dies or you start running a different type of rout that another truck would be better for since the local guys all get day cabs and only the "south guys" who take overnight trips get the sleeper trucks. that said i've been considering asking the owner if i can pay out of pocket to have a better seat put in. i like to limit myself to one stop each way and that was no issue with the trainers international pro star plus (aka the international caddy) seats, i found i was getting out of the truck because i was hungry rather than because my tailbone was killing me.

    my truck is a freightliner columbia glider package truck of some sort with only the most basic equipment. they really sacrificed comfort when they spec'd these weather to make it lighter or save money i dont know but its a work horse. limited comfort but pulls like a dream. im told the motor is a freshly remanufactured cat 475.

    anyway to get to the point i love the truck all except the seat and am considering asking the owner if i can pay to have a better seat put in. i know some say spending money on someone elses truck is stupid but i dont think spending a weeks pay to be more comfortable and be able to work more is a bad idea. i want to research seats though and have an idea of what im looking for before bringing it to the boss though so i'd rather not ask him about the truck model and compatability then have to talk to him again about it lol he's a straight to the point kind of guy thats always busy. that sounds bad but he's a great boss and knows what his drivers deal with because even though he OWNS about 100 trucks he still drives them #### near every day.

    how do i find the specific model of the truck to find out whats compatible? im new to trucks so i know very little about brands and upgrades. all i really know about the truck is:
    *listed as 2015 special construction on the paperwork althogh im told its probably an earlier model just made in 2015
    *grill and logo's inside truck say freightliner columbia
    *single sleeper with no cabinets or shelves just a u shaped shirt rack over bunk (only about a foot from font seats to mattress)
    * large rear facing window in sleeper
    * rigid mounted passnger seat with no armrest or movement
    * 10spd
    *100gal tanks
    * driver seat is either locked in one preset position or "floating" cant choose the position it locks in. has armrests

    is this something i would have to call a freightliner dealer with the vin # for or how would i figure out what is compatible?

    sorry for the morning coffee induced ramble.
     
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  3. mjfreespirit

    mjfreespirit Light Load Member

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    Before making any modifications to a company owned truck get permission first. If they have a shop, take it to their shop and and talk to a mechanic about custom additions first, as company Shop Manager can usually make the call/decision.

    Just remember. Do not buy your seat or install it before talking with your company. Don't install it on company time either. I couldn't see why any company would not allow you to buy your own seat.

    Also, don't make it a big dramatic thing with your company like your post :p, simply ask them

    "Hey, can I pick up a new driver seat at my own expense and install it in the truck?" That's it. Keep #### simple.

    You can get an idea of whats out there on the web. Depending on where you are, you can find a chrome shop or order online. Just do a search for Freightliner seats. At the end of this post are a couple I came up with. Most seats are fairly standard bolt on seats (they bolt into the floor of the truck. Look at the bolt set-up, airline connections and then pick a seat and any adapters, washers or other hardware you might need.) Most, if not all, Freightliner dealerships will have a few awesome seats on display but are more expensive than a chrome shop or super travel centers. Most of the super travel centers have them too (Iowa 80 Group and others) most large chrome shops.

    Buying a truck seat is not a terrible investment. Remember, you buy a seat, you can take it with you anywhere you go. Just make sure you keep the company's seat safe and stored properly with all the hardware that was with it. IF they let you make the swap.



    Good luck.

    http://www.4statetrucks.com/seats/semi-truck-seats.asp (these guys are awesome, and located in Joplin, Missouri. I've actually stopped in here to buy a a chrome stack for my former company's truck with their money)

    http://www.iowa80.com/DirectionsWEB/webcart_category3.php?catid=SEATS (these guys have multiple locations, their largest being on I-80 just to the west of Chicagoland)

    http://www.raneystruckparts.com/truck-seats-covers/ (these guys are based out of Florida, I believe, and have a modest selection)

    http://www.seat-specialists.com/categories/off-highway-seats/tractor-seats.html

    There are tons of other places. Maybe some other driver can offer where he's seen a good collection of seats.
     
  4. heyns57

    heyns57 Road Train Member

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    near Kalamazoo Speedway
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    If the seat can be adjusted for short or tall people, wire that lever into the unlocked or slide position. Disconnect any shock absorber. Use tarp straps to prevent seat from floating against forward or rear stops. In other words, cut the seat loose from the motion of the cab. Wear your seat belt.
     
  5. Red Wide Glide

    Red Wide Glide Bobtail Member

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    Aug 22, 2014
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    i may not have made it clear enough in my ramble, i wasnt considering buying installing a seat without asking. if i was allowed to buy it im sure the shop would put it in for me. i just wanted to only have to bring it up once to the boss and ready to order if he said ok. i'd rather not bug him more than i have to.

    as for seats im not looking for top of the line, just something better than whats in it now. even open to second hand to keep costs down. i'd actually prefer a lightly used seat of higher quality than a brand new low quality one. im just not sure what i need to look for in a seat to make sure it works with the truck. also im not sure what keywords to use when searching ebay or amazon "freightliner seat" isnt giving me much. i'd really like to stay in the 500-750 budget
     
  6. Red Wide Glide

    Red Wide Glide Bobtail Member

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    Aug 22, 2014
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    that may work. putting the seat in the float setting for a minute or two really helps soothe the tailbone pain i just cant drive like that for long. every time i try to lightly touch the brakes in float i fly forward jamming the breaks on and fly back when i touch the accell. it wouldnt be bad with a dry van but with the milk in the tank flying back and forth its a nightmare for me.

    ill take a closer look at the seat when i go back in and see if i can get a better understanding of what you mean.
     
  7. mjfreespirit

    mjfreespirit Light Load Member

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    Like I said before. Even if you buy an expensive seat, it's yours for life. You can take it to what ever company you work for. You sit in that thing up to 11 hours a day or more. Treat yourself, my fellow driver! Also, there are a lot of decent seats in that price range. Look at the sites I posted above.
     
  8. mjfreespirit

    mjfreespirit Light Load Member

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    Dec 4, 2012
    Florida
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    This statement comes directly from 4statetrucks.com

    I don't work for any of these guys, I have a butt and tailbone just like you and I'm going to spend good money on a seat.. Think. You sit in that seat 60-70 hours a week.
     
  9. heyns57

    heyns57 Road Train Member

    2,209
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    Dec 30, 2006
    near Kalamazoo Speedway
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    I often heard similar complaints from drivers who borrowed my assigned truck to move a trailer, etc. Maybe it takes some getting used to and a change in philosophy. I felt that I was just along for the ride and did not have to be welded to the back of the cab to control the throttle and brake. Continuous fore/aft motion is the worst thing for your neck and back. The human head is heavy and muscles tense trying to control it. A quality seat will isolate the driver from the motions of the cab. I also pulled tankers but they were baffled or full to the brim.
     
  10. tnevin225

    tnevin225 Road Train Member

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    Red: I would see your local FL dealer,thy will be able to tell you exactly what seats you can use. I recently got a Legacy cloth seat made by Seats and I love it, I think it was around 650.00 and worth every dime. And as far as being a company truck when I was a company driver the first thing I did when I got a truck was put my own mattress in it,yea I lost a couple of them over the years for varies reasons but felt it was worth it to get a good nites sleep. Good Luck T Nevin
     
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