Hi guys, Being 6"4" and well let's say "husky" the steering wheel in my convertible is way too close for comfort, the bucket seats I have need foam and a recover desperately and since I am leaning twords a tasteful "resto mod" for my car I think swapping in some reclining buckets may make a world of difference as to how I enjoy the ride. Any suggestions and pictures of swaps for aftermarket or seats from other cars, I hear the new GTO seats are great. I am trying to avoid extensive fabrication of brackets, also as a short term fix is unbolting and sliding the tracks back an option? Thanks, Kevin
Dealer Service Bulletin 71-T-11 was issued 2-26-71...........you didn't get it? Bulletin dealt with the same problem but applied to the 45-46-48 series cars. The recommendations were: 1- fabricate & weld in steel plates to the forward edge of the front pedestal. Rear should have enough surface to allow redrilling. Plate is 1/4" thick, 3/4" wide, 1-1/2" long. By placing the plate under the pedestal it will also increase the seat back angle. 2- move the "zig-zag" spring on the underside of the seat by one convolution & reattach. This will allow for an increase in headroom as you will sit slightly lower. I can scan & e-mail the bulletin if you like. Send me a PM with your private address. You will find a decrease in headroom after you replace the foam in the seats. I did this with mine & put new springs in same time. Quite a difference until they settle in a bit.
Tracks are in a fixed mounting position on factory bucket seats. Only way to get more room is to fab new brackets that bolt to the original brackets and I am sure if you do an internet search...some other A-body sites will have info on it.
Corbeau makes some nice and semi-affordable buckets that should do the trick. They have brackets that adapt the seats to a wide variety of platforms with relative ease. They're really popular with the off-road/jeep crowd. Me personally, I'm waiting to find a deal on some seats from a late model Mitsubishi evo IX or X. That may be a bit more work than you're after though.
This thread discusses the subject AND has copies of that factory bulletin. :TU: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?238868-Bucket-Seat-Height&highlight=
Right Chris....don't forget the 12" welded chain steering wheel so you can drive with cuffs on.....:Brow::Brow::Brow::Brow::Brow::Brow:
