Bucket seat height, mine redone, seems a tall.

I restored a set of 70-72 bucket seats. There were a few really rusty and thin bottom springs on one seat, so I replaced the bottom springs, new seat foams, new legendary covers on both seats. Seats mounted on new seat tracks. Car was originally a bench seat car but now mounted on the correct bench to bucket seat conversion kit welded to the floors. I only have a couple of inches of headroom and my 6' 3" son hits his head on the ceiling.

The seat is high. The front of th bucket bottom is about 11 to 12 inches from the floor and only about 4.5 inches between the seat and the 15 inch repro steering wheel.

How tall are your seats?

Could I have mounted something wrong, or any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Some foams are thicker and denser and can add height.

 

I am 6'4". Back in the mid 80's when my car had 14 year old stock bucket seats I had to learn to slouch down to prevent my head from rubbing on the headliner.

With new seat springs and foams (especially the more dense reproduction foams) taller drivers should expect to have head clearance problems.

Modifications to lower the seat ride height include:

1. Add a seat relocation kit to move the driver's seat back an additional 2" which will serve to also lower the seat somewhat.
2. Cut down the seat back bumpers to give the top half of the seat a little bit more rearward tilt.
3. Cut a section out of the seat mounting brackets and weld them back together in a lower position.
4. Disassemble the seat and carefully cut a layer of foam from the lower seat cushion.

 

That's my first guess as well.
PUI foam sets are very firm and you'll sit higher.
American Cushion Industries are much better, sold by Legendary.
Thornton's is another very good option, they're made by the original GM supplier.

 

I’ve solved it by adding 2 inches to the seat brackets on the floor mounts with a 3” piece of 1/4 steel flat bar with drilled holes, which allows you to sit back from the steering wheel farther which also allows more headroom, I’m 6’3”. Simple bracket you can make.

 

I think everyone who does or has their seats redone is surprised the first time they sit in the car. You sit so much higher on new foam! It should settle after a few outings - another reason to get out and drive your Buick!

 

Being back farther, Do you have issues with the seat adjust lever hitting the seat belt retractor?

 

I don’t really know, this car had a power seat, but by looking at my ‘72 it looks like plenty of room to go back 3”+ and the lever moves forward so I would guess it’s all good.

 

Thanks

 

My 72 GS originally had a split bench seat. During resto, Dave installed buckets. He used a 97 or 98 power seat track for the drivers seat. The seat sits high and it leans. Is there something that is suppose to be done to go from bench to buckets to make it fit better?