EK seating for the slim-challenged

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timbo.ambo
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EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by timbo.ambo »

Hi all.

The new rubber flooring arrives soon (wooohooo). So I'll be taking the seats out to fit it. While I'm at it, the backseat-to-boot divider will be replaced, might throw some rust guard around, and I'll be installing a fire extinguisher. Now I've been thinking....

The front seat has been slid back as far as it goes, but I have long legs (I'm sticking to that). Has anyone ever reinstalled the front bench seat a couple of inches further back? Maybe drilled a few new holes in the floor and bolted the seat further back? Or, how about 2 additional steel brackets bolted down through the original holes, and the seat bolted to the additional bracket? or can you maybe adjust the seat slide mechanism to go further back.

I need more leg room!

Until I get the seats and mangy carpet out, I'm only guessing options. Any experienced fellas out there with long legs have any suggestions on what they've done??

Cheers.

Tim
(Grafton)
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Devilrod
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Devilrod »

I have a mate who has done that on a couple of EK's. So long as you plate the seat mounts properly so they don't tear through the floor should be all good.
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EK JAY
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by EK JAY »

Been looking at this problem too was going to try and extend the runners
By cutting and adding some length to the runners and rewelding will let you know how
I go :thumbsup:
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Errol62
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Errol62 »

The other option would be to move the seat to runner mounting points rearward. I think you will find an inch makes a big difference. Lifting the front mounts only by using the dealer optioned spacers or similar will also improve comfort by supporting lower thighs better and slightly increasing backrest inclination.


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Mick Jagger
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Mick Jagger »

I moved mine back about an inch
just drilled new holes the rear just before the bend(looking from underneath) so i could weld new nuts on the flat
no more tummy on the wheel :wink34:
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by bumper »

Im not a small guy, as most know me, i dont have any issues with just the seat right back, i will be putting spacers under the front points on my v8 wagon to see if it feels any better tho
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timbo.ambo
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by timbo.ambo »

Errol62 & Bumper

....These front spacers you speak of: could you describe what I could use as spacers....and how high they are...or how high I should go.
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Errol62
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Errol62 »

They were a ceramic Doo dad, quite common and seen them in a few wrecks in the day. I'm guessing 7/16-1/2" thick. Seen repros on eBay at ridiculous prices. Easy enough to make up out of some hdpe or similar. Have a look for the eBay item and use as an example to make some up. That's my plan.
Have fun with it.
Cheers
Clay


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Errol62
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Errol62 »

Shear strength of the bolt dictates how high you should go but you may be surprised what a difference 12mm lift makes.


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timbo.ambo
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by timbo.ambo »

Found em - eBay. $50 haha. You're right, I'll whip some up outa HDPE.
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front seat spacers.png
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timbo.ambo
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by timbo.ambo »

EK JAY wrote: Mon May 08, 2017 5:34 pm ...was going to try and extend the runners by cutting and adding some length to the runners and rewelding ...
Hi EK JAY

I got the front bench seat out today, and had a good look. I have 2 options I reckon:

- Extending the runners, as you say, doesn't seem possible because they are too deep up into the seat and can't get past. But we can unbolt the whole runner mechanism from the seat and move the mechanism forward 25mm, re-drill and rebolt. We may need to grind out a small triangle from the forward outer edge of the track so it will sit up into to the seat's curve (You'll understand when you look). The bolt lengths look ok for the addition of a steel plate to add strength.

- Moving the whole kit and kaboodle (technical term) back by drilling 4 new holes in the floor pan rear-ward of the original holes. The distance is limited with the back holes as the floor falls away after 30mm - as Mick Jagger pointed out. Then the addition of plates to strengthen as DevilRod suggests.

Oh and I forgot the front raisers too. After all this we'll have to run the seat forward to reach the clutch!

Let me know how you get on EK Jay.

Tim
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Harv
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Harv »

timbo.ambo wrote: Sat May 13, 2017 5:41 pm Found em - eBay. $50 haha. You're right, I'll whip some up outa HDPE.
Give Pete a yell from the FE/FC forum... he does them a damn site cheaper:
http://forum.fefcholden.club/index.php?topic=17929.0

Cheers,
Harv
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Errol62
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Errol62 »

Tim,
I am considering moving the runners forward on the seat as you suggest. With this mod you could incorporate the tilt, even without the mod. Just need an appropriate spacer between mounting faces and slightly longer bolts.
I've been meaning to get round to mocking this up in my van. I'm concerned that rearward travel will be limited by the bulkhead behind the seat. I may look at relocating said bulkhead slightly further back. There is sihtloads of room behind there.


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Errol62
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by Errol62 »

Harv,
Thanks for the tip. Pete and the FE FC site are incredibly helpful. Up there with you and this forum.
Cheers
Clay


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timbo.ambo
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Re: EK seating for the slim-challenged

Post by timbo.ambo »

I decided to design and build a bracket to fit between the front seat and the floor. this gave me an extra 7cm and a slightly higher angle. I did this so it could all be returned to original - no permanent modification. Here are some pics. I will also include measurements of the steel bracket.
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side a.jpg
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rear of bracket 2a.jpg
rear of bracket 2a.jpg (611 KiB) Viewed 1604 times
rear of bracket 1a.jpg
rear of bracket 1a.jpg (475.99 KiB) Viewed 1604 times
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