Bolts in the hump lead to nowhere?

[BrettKoenecke]

Hi guys
I have the seats out of my Ranger and at the upholstery shop. New foam and covers from Melissa. Thank you!

While he's working on putting that together, I'm putting in new carpet. Seems straightforward and easy enough. Except this: I have four bolts on the hump between the seats which appear to be holding onto exactly nothing. All four are half inch, they go down through the old carpet and terminate on the other side and attach to nothing. Two sets of two bolts.

I have a 73 Ranger, stock and mostly original. PO put a roll bar in, and rear flares. No evidence of a console having been installed. I'm at a loss. I think I should either take them out and plug the holes or just cover them up maybe?

Thoughts are welcome.

 

[SHX669]

I've seen all kind of things mounted between the seats - gun racks ,cup holders , cb radio, clip board holder -- on and on --.
Pull out the bolts and cover up or plug and cover up.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Might have had one of these previously.

 

[suthernboy]

Might have had one of these previously.

Hey Viper, was that "filler" seat a dealer option? Never seen one before.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Aftermarket. Offered by Stroppe and Hickey.

 

[hyghlndr]

Like that middle seat. I think the two bolts he mentions are to wide for the seat. I have seen those two "filler" bolts also, not sure why they are there.

 

[Rustytruck]

Aftermarket. Offered by Stroppe and Hickey.

And JC Whitney. I bought one there in 1978. In fine Corinthian black vinyl. I believe they were all supplied by Hickey. Stroppe probably bought the Pleated version in white from Hickey who was a major 4X4 aftermarket builder- supplier of the time. JC Whitney didn't sell pleated vinyl versions as far as I know.
My JC Whitney version had 3 factory predrilled holes in the mounting feet. One in the front and 1 on each side towards the rear. Back in the day we rode all over the place, 5 teenagers in a sardine can.

 

[DJs74]

Did Broncos ever have a front bench seat option? Maybe the extra holes are for that and an extra set of seat belts?

Just a guess

DJs74

 

[sykanr0ng]

Did Broncos ever have a front bench seat option? Maybe the extra holes are for that and an extra set of seat belts?

Just a guess

DJs74

Yes there was a front bench seat option, I'm not sure what years, but often the tooling is not changed when options are dropped.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Did Broncos ever have a front bench seat option? Maybe the extra holes are for that and an extra set of seat belts?

Just a guess

DJs74

There was but that probably ended with the halfcab in '72. I think they used the same outer bolt holes as the buckets.

 

[OB Bronco]

Post a picture. It will be easier to know exactly where and what it looks like. Just a thought.

 

[TAC71]

If those bolts run across the truck just behind the seats they would be for the half cab filler panel. You will find a few more each side in the back of the door striker post.

 

[turbotim2]

Maybe there was a center console mounted there in the past?

 

[BrettKoenecke]

I think some kind of center console myself. Either way they're out of there by 8pm tonight. Thanks all. I LOVE having this human resource available. Thank you

 

[AxlesUp]

factory bench in my old 70 half cab.