A truck bench seat carries three people and keeps the middle space usable. Bucket seats and captain chairs carry two and put comfort and a console in between. That is the whole decision in two sentences.
The detail is where it gets interesting, because trucks now come in five common truck front seat options and each one suits a different job. This guide walks through all five, then helps you pick based on how you actually use your truck.
Truck Bench Seat, Bucket Seat and Captain Chair Layouts
| Layout |
Seats |
Best for |
| Full bench |
3 |
Classic trucks, work crews, simple and durable |
| 60/40 split bench |
3 |
Mixed use, with one side folding for long items |
| 40/20/40 split bench |
3 |
Daily drivers that need a console most days and a third seat sometimes |
| Bucket seats |
2 |
Comfort-first driving with a console between |
| Captain chairs |
2 |
Long drives, with armrests and more adjustment |
|
Full Bench Seat
|
|
A full bench is one continuous seat across the cab, with a single backrest and no split. It is the oldest layout and still the simplest, and in a full bench seat truck the middle position is a real seat rather than a folded console.
| Pros. It seats three without any compromise in the middle. There are fewer moving parts to fail, and the flat surface is easy to clean and easy to recover. In an older truck it also keeps the interior looking right. |
|
| Cons. The backrest is one piece, so nobody can recline independently. There is no console, no cupholders and no storage between the seats. Getting to the middle seat means someone has to slide across. |
|
Our full bench seats suit restorations and work trucks where three across matters more than features.
|
|
60/40 Split Bench Seat
|
|
A 60/40 splits the backrest into two uneven sections. The larger 60 portion usually sits on the passenger side, and either side can fold down on its own.
| Pros. You keep three seats but gain flexibility. Fold one side and you have a flat surface for tools, files or long items, while a passenger still rides on the other. |
|
| Cons. There is still no proper console between the seats, and the middle position is a compromise seat rather than a real one. Folding a section takes the seat out of use. |
|
|
|
40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
|
|
A 40/20/40 divides the seat into three sections: a 40 percent driver seat, a 20 percent middle section and a 40 percent passenger seat. The middle section is the clever part, because it works as a console, an armrest or a third seat depending on what you need.
| Pros. You get console storage and cupholders on an ordinary day, and a third seat when someone needs a ride. The outer seats recline independently, and on our models the backrests also fold forward with a lever. The American Classic 40-20-40, for example, has a center console with two cupholders and storage, a flip-up console seat that reveals the middle seat, and storage underneath it. |
|
| Cons. The middle seat is narrower than an outer seat and is best for shorter trips. There are more moving parts than a full bench. |
|
Browse the full truck bench seat range to compare models. For the full explanation of the name and what each section does, see our guide on what 40/20/40 means.
|
|
Bucket Seats and Captain Chairs
|
|
Bucket seats are individual seats with raised side bolsters that hold you in place. Captain chairs are individual seats too, but with armrests and usually more adjustment, which is why the name is used for the more comfortable version.
In most trucks they come as a pair with a console between them, so you lose the third seat and gain storage, cupholders and an armrest for each person. Truck seats with center console layouts are now the standard two-seat setup.
| Pros: Better side support on winding roads, independent recline and a comfortable spot for your arm on a long drive. Our truck captain chairs, such as the American Classic and Nautilus, have fold-forward and reclining backs and rear seat pockets, in fabric, vinyl or leather. |
|
| Cons: Two seats instead of three, and a console that takes up the middle for good. |
|
|
Which Truck Seat Is Right for You?
The bench seat vs bucket seat decision comes down to how many people you carry and how long you sit in the truck.
| If you drive alone most days and want comfort, choose captain chairs or bucket seats. |
|
| If you carry a crew, choose a full bench or a 40/20/40. |
|
| If you need three seats sometimes and a console the rest of the time, choose a 40/20/40. It covers both jobs for most daily drivers. |
|
| If you haul long items inside the cab, choose a 60/40 or a 40/20/40 so a section can fold. |
|
| If you are restoring a classic truck, choose a full bench for the correct look. |
|
|
|
How to Tell Which Seat Your Truck Has
Your truck seat configuration is easiest to identify from the backrest. Count the pieces.
|
1
|
One continuous backrest: a full bench. |
|
|
2
|
Two sections, one wider than the other: a 60/40. |
|
|
3
|
Three sections, with a narrow middle that folds down: a 40/20/40. |
|
|
4
|
Two completely separate seats with a gap or console between: buckets or captain chairs. |
|
Options packages change what came in the same model and year, so two identical-looking trucks can have different seats. Your owner's manual or build sheet is the reliable answer. Once you know which layout you have, our all truck bench seats page shows every model in one place.
Replacing Your Truck Seats: What to Know
A few practical points before you order.
Brackets do the fitting
Replacement truck seats mount on brackets made for your truck's floor, so the seat and the bracket are chosen together. We list brackets for Chevy and GMC, Ford and Dodge full-size trucks across many model years. Use the bracket selector on the product page or call us with your year, make, model and cab style rather than assuming a seat will bolt straight in.
Cab size matters
High back designs are recommended for expanded cabs, and low back designs suit single cabs where the back wall is close.
Seat belts and airbags
Belts can be mounted to the vehicle or to the seat, and that changes what you can fit. Lap and retractable truck seat belts are available separately where the belt mounts to the vehicle.
Ready to Choose?
Work out how many people you carry, then pick the layout that matches. Browse our truck bench seat range or our captain chairs, and if you are unsure which bracket your truck needs, call our team on 1-800-454-1801 with your year, make and model.
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Can I replace a bench seat with a 40/20/40?
Usually yes, as long as the correct brackets are available for your truck and the cab has room for the design you pick. The seat mounts on brackets made for your floor, so check the bracket options for your year, make, model and cab style before ordering.
|
|
Are bucket seats more comfortable than a bench?
For the driver, often yes. Bucket seats and captain chairs have side bolsters, independent recline and an armrest, which helps on long drives. A bench wins when you need three seats, since buckets and a console leave you with two.
|
|
What's the difference between captain chairs and bucket seats?
Both are individual seats. Bucket seats are shaped with side bolsters to hold you in place. Captain chairs are the more comfortable version, with armrests and usually more adjustment. In everyday use the names overlap, so check the listed features rather than the label.
|
|
Do I need brackets for a new truck seat?
Yes. Replacement seats fit on brackets matched to your truck's floor mounting points, so the bracket is part of the order. Brackets are listed by make, model year and cab style. If you are unsure which one you need, call our team with your vehicle details.
|
