I recently pulled my factory bench seat from my 93 Sierra stepside single cab, and went to wrecking yard and bout a pair of buckets from a 99 Suburban. I did know that I would have to drill new holes (2 holes) to install them. The 2 outside holes on each side lined up perfectly, but I had to drill 2 new holes on the drivers side, but ran into a problem on the pass. side. The exhaust sheild prevents repeating the same for the 2 inner holes. Okay, so I drill out the drivers side, 3/8ths hole, put in bolts, nuts and a washers. I noticed that GM used a about a 3" by 1" plate to use under there with a welded on nut to screw in to. The pass. side, is another problem I want to address later. Should I try to replicate what GM did with the "plate" instead of washers? I ask because I dont think it;s a good idea to concentrate that much PSI into one tiny washer, as it may cause the cab metal split over time from vibration, and other effects. Am I wrong? Second, what about the pass side? I dont want to fool with the exhaust shield...would "Power Grab" or some other type of "super adhesive" work? I do not have many passengers in this truck. Anyone had any experience in retro-fitting buckets in these?

 

https://chevroletforum.com/forum/sil...-pickup-25007/

LINK ^
I read this DIY thread but he didnt mention the things you did.
Maybe reading it will make you look at the issue another way.

 

Yeah...its pretty similar to my install, but he did not address the heat shield problem. Mine is a V6. On a 5.0 or 5.7 the shield may be in a different place. But there is now way, without cutting a piece of that shield out to get in there and mount the passenger seat. Welding it down? Gorilla glue?