2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Is there a DIFINITIVE repair for power seats?

[Treetopflyer]

Hello all and a big thank you to everyone that contributes to this remarkable resource! I have a 1995 extended cab, 2WD, manual.
I have scoured the search engine hear, Google, and other Dodge/ Cummins specific sites and even emailed "TwoMenOneGarage" to find a way to repair my driver side power seat (no response after 4 weeks by the way). The situation is ALL of my motors work, but the gears are shot. I get no up/ down and have to assist the fore/ aft while standing outside of the truck. I've picked the local boneyard and the oldest seat I found was 2007 and had been in the weather and rusted for quite sometime.
Ebay has 1998-current seats but I'm not sure if I could transfer those components to my tracks/ frame?
I have not been able to find my year model but a NEW 1998 base runs for over $400.00 plus shipping...there has to be a better solution?
OPTIONS: 1) Transfer later model components to my seat base, 2) Cut up a late model seat base to make it fit my floor pan and seat cushions, 3) Find a 1995 NOS seat base and pay top dollar if I can find one. 4) Take a chance on aftermarket power seats and still end up modifying them because I can't find a direct fit in my model year.

If you have been there/ done that please share...from my research I am far from being unique in regard to this issue.
Doug

 

[SReeves]

I went to my local pic your part and found a non powered assembly from a later truck a 98 I think (I did not check year of truck),all I had to do was tap 2 8mm holes in my old seat base to bolt it in

 

[Treetopflyer]

SReeves...thank you for the reply....I'm kind of hamstrung in my local area. All the old "pick-and-pull" / "U-pull it" yards are gone. The yards around here break down the vehicles and categorize everything they deem worthy of resale and then crush the rest. It's really hard to find anything older than late 2007, steel is all heading to China. The owners are panicky about letting me loose in their yard with my own tools for insurance/ liability reasons....sigh.

 

[Treetopflyer]

The quest continues...I do have the Dodge part No. 4778610, the problem is if I want new I'm S.O.L, this is a discontinued part. Called a few dealers in the area and they confirmed the part no. is accurate and is indeed discontinued. A online search gave me plenty of similar hits. Now it becomes find a later model seat and adapt it to my truck or gut a seat base and refit the motors and transmission into my base.
What is the full up/ full down and full aft/ full forward distance of a "Factory" seat? if the measurements are comparable these might work? http://www.discountvantruck.com/rvseatbases/rvpowerbases.htm

 

[moparguy]

Doug, I had the exact same problem with my 95. Managed to get the seat in a position that both the wife and I could tolerate (well barely, she's 5'2 and I'm 6'). After about a year of watching Ebay, won a complete seat base out of a yard in California for $125.. Works great. Best I can offer is check around for older salvage yards, check back yards in older parts of town or in the county and always have cash in hand if you stumble onto something.

Best of all, be patient and Good Luck.

RR

 

[Treetopflyer]

RR, thanks for the reply and encouragement. I'm glad to hear that you found a viable seat. How long ago did you find yours? If it's possible could you measure the total travel of the fore and aft , and the up and down? The reason being is the link I posted in # 4 may be an option if they equal or exceed OEM travel? And GREAT idea about cash on hand at all times just in case...sometimes the window of opportunity is very narrow!

 

[moparguy]

Won it last summer. And yes, I'll measure travel, glad to. Only thing is it'll be next week before I'm back to the truck.

 

[MLee]

Have you tried to search for ONLINE SALVAGE YARDS? There are recycle yards that do nothing but on line orders and shipping. Search for the part you are looking for to get a listing of yards. I found a bunch of them on my search for my parts.
It might help if we had your state or location in your signature.

 

[mfurrh55]

Have you tried to search for ONLINE SALVAGE YARDS? There are recycle yards that do nothing but on line orders and shipping. Search for the part you are looking for to get a listing of yards. I found a bunch of them on my search for my parts.
It might help if we had your state or location in your signature.

His signature says YUMA, AZ.

 

[MLee]

Go to www.partshotlines.com for the yards I mentioned above.

Thanks mfurrh55 did not see it there.

 

[Treetopflyer]

MLee...the recyclers are a great resource too...I've come up dry there too (November time frame)...didn't have my year. As you can see from my post count I'm the "New Guy". I went into "my profile" and created my signature prior to posting my question, I don't know why it did show up? I agree it's frustrating when folks ask questions about their rig and we have no idea as to what the specifics are...here's my info until the system catches up with me.
1995 2WD Ext. Cab, Long bed, NV4500
262k when I bought it in '13
Yuma, AZ

 

[Treetopflyer]

Quick Note: I guess the "signature" data base caught up with me the info in #11 is now redundant

 

[Treetopflyer]

MLee, as per your suggestion I just tried your provided link...no direct hits for the power seat base but I did see some manual tracks if I elect to go that route.
The folks who haunt this site are a pretty creative lot, it seems they would rather find a viable work around be it rebuild, reuse from another make or brand or recreate with mix and match parts...we have all seen some very good solutions here that make us think "Wow, great idea"...I'm hoping to find one for the power seat tracks. I won't quit until I can provide at least one option that the average joe can do without needing a milling machine and lathe or thick wallet. Keep up the suggestions guy & gals...if nothing else this will provide a searchable thread for what NOT to do lol.

 

[MLee]

Treetop- I assume you expanded your search to include 95-97 on the data base? They should be the same design and fitment.

 

[Treetopflyer]

MLee...never assume that I'm that sharp, even when I "know" something, I find that I still don't know $h!+. Good point and a question I forgot to ask...are you confirming that 95-97 are interchangeable? So no 94's or 98's right? Anything I can do to expand my search broadens the availability Thank you Sir.

 

[MLee]

MLee...never assume that I'm that sharp, even when I "know" something, I find that I still don't know $h!+. Good point and a question I forgot to ask...are you confirming that 95-97 are interchangeable? So no 94's or 98's right? Anything I can do to expand my search broadens the availability Thank you Sir.

I'm sure that basically they should be the same, BUT, the frame and under carriage should be and as years went on other fabrics and finishing touches were added. The 98's is when they changed the design on the covers and seat backs and more options like the desire for the power seats was more desirable. I done a search through that site for all four years and there was some but the ones listed were worn and mostly manual adjusted. Call a few recycle yards and ask if the rest of the 2nd gen seat frames are interchangeable. You might get lucky and find a the device your looking for. If a dealer is one his toes he might now, but I dought it. To them it a numbers game. Good luck
Sorry for being windy, its DST time here.

 

[MLee]

You might also try the 1500's, these would be more desirable to have a power seat. But they might be rough if you get the whole seat.

 

[Treetopflyer]

All I need is the power mechanism, my seats are in good shape and the cushions are still supportive. I won't rule out new/ used seats if that's what it takes (and the deal is right), I just hate to buy more than I need and not use the rest. I'm working an odd shift this next 2 weeks so I may not to have the opportunity to do the research I would like. As stated earlier though, dealers show it as an obsolete part and can't get it...This doesn't mean there isn't some NOS parts floating on someone's shelf? I'm just really going to have to beat the bushes if I want OEM.

 

[Treetopflyer]

Well I did it...I was hoping to get by for less, but I bought a seat track off Ebay for $275.00 "w/ free shipping"
Should be here next mid-next week. If schedule permits I'll have it in next weekend (the Mrs. wants the truck...gotta love that). I'll let you know how it all works out. Thanks for the suggestions, good to know I have support out there in keeping my Ol' girl alive.

 

[4570]

I repaired mine .They break if you run them all the way to the end as there is no electrical stop .The gears then crack open enough to rotate on the shaft .Took it all apart .Threw away some parts that are not needed and JB welded the gears together onto the shafts and its been working ever since .