Has anyone come across a good set of instructions to rebuild 69 seats? Looking to do the driver side first then if it comes out acceptable move on to the passenger. I'd like the seats to look period correct, so not planning for aftermarket Recaros or such. The seats were re-covered about 10 years ago and are still in very good condition, however, here are some issues I have with the driver's seat, listed in priorities to resolve. 1) seat angle too inclined, is there a way to get it to recline in multi positions, or at least less inclined? 2) seat sagging, probably needs new springs, is it that simple? 3) head rests, they are currently way too low and they don't seem to lock in a higher position, which make them functionally unless. Can be be repaired and how high can you get them? 3) seat too low, I'd ideally like to be an additional 2 inches higher off the ground, but will settle for an inch or so 4) seat extenders? do they work? I'm 5'9", with a 31" inseam and need to slide the seat pretty much all the way back, which means no one can sit behind me. 5) adding in 3 point seat belts, does anyone find that the shoulder belts fall off and you need a guide? If so, so does someone sell a guide which attaches to the seat head rest? Car is a convertible so mounting points will be lower for the high mount.
I'd like to keep the changes to less than 1k for both front seats if that helps.
A good upholstery shop should be able to do minor repairs to the seat frames/springs, as well as recover in original materials.
As far as "modernizing" the seat to recline and go up and down. It would take a lot more than the 1K budget you have.
You're best bet if you want modern seats and don't care about the originality or look is to find a late model car or truck seat that has the power options you want...and then the fun begins trying to adapt them into the Bird's interior.
A good upholstery shop should be able to do minor repairs to the seat frames/springs, as well as recover in original materials.
As far as "modernizing" the seat to recline and go up and down. It would take a lot more than the 1K budget you have.
You're best bet if you want modern seats and don't care about the originality or look is to find a late model car or truck seat that has the power options you want...and then the fun begins trying to adapt them into the Bird's interior.
Thanks, don't really need power just reclining or at least the ability to change the seat angle and possibly height. I'll be the sole driver so once set, I won't need to change either.
Thinking a seat swap might be the easiest solution. Has anyone tried the Procar seats? They are pretty cheap but seem to be well reviewed. Main issue that they don't come in blue. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Procar-80-1300-53L-Pro-90-Seat-Driver-Vinyl,319102.html
Last edited by tralfaz; 09/05/2008:05 AM. Reason: Typo
Not sure how you made out but wanted to let you know you can modify your seat position to suit your body. I am 6'4 and needless to say there was not enough leg room, my head head stuck out above my windshield like Magilla gorilla with my convertible top down and my shoulders are way to wide for the seat back. This presented bigger problems for me as it's easier to raise a seat than lower it. For you as far as the seat extenders you can either make them or buy them through a parts house like Ames performance engineering and they definitely help with the leg room and an added benefit for shorter drivers is they raise the seat the thickness of the metal they are made out of. and if you want it higher you can just use longer bolts of the same grade with spacers and by making them longer in the front than the rear you can adjust the angle of recline at the same time. Back in my earlier days when I worked as a mechanic I had to do this mod a few times over the years for shorter customers that otherwise were perched on thick pillows. I would caution you though since you are redoing your seat springs and most likely new foam I would wait because the aftermarket springs and foam that I have seen definitely will have you sitting higher then your sagged out originals. As for taller first gen lovers like me using the seat extenders while helping leg room makes things worse in the head room department. My solution was to remove the tracks from the seat and cut the appropriate amount of metal out to drop the height and reweld. It is a little tricky because the part that gives it its height by the mounts is curved instead of a right angle so you really have to pay attention so as not to change the overall length between the mounting holes. The only other thing you have to pay attention to is the relation between the seat bottom and the seat belt retractor on the door side. Make sure there is clearance when you put the seat all the way back. My seat now fits me perfectly. And as a side note this solved my problem of having to stuff my legs past the steering wheel every time I got in or out of the car saving me from having to buy a hard to find and expensive factory tilt column.