Front Seats- which ones have you got?

Hi Guys,

Looking at changing my front seats- currently have replacement GM ones installed that are too wide (Fouling the door jamb) and seat pad is too high( my head is hitting the roof & my kids feet can't touch the floor!!!) I think they are around 22" wide and sit 9" high at the front



I have the original low back seats-that need recovering-but don't really like the low back look

I am also looking to install 3 point inertia belts-which is nigh on impossible with my current seats

Really struggling to find something suitable-So I'm interested to see and hear what you have in yours to get some ideas

I appreciate the help

Cheers

Mike

I got a set of Audi seats at the local jun k yard. They are 19" wide
with a 15" base.

I have the original seats. Had them reupholstered last summer.

JackeFriend wrote:I got a set of Audi seats at the local jun k yard. They are 19" wide
with a 15" base.

Thanks for that - nice looking seats..... & 19" would be perfect- any idea of model/year?

Thanks

Mike

OutofSight wrote:I have the original seats. Had them reupholstered last summer.

cheers for that- I have them-so that is still an option-but not keen on the look and at 6' 4" & 260lbs I need a fair bit of back support that low backs generally don't give-lol!

DueNorth wrote:

JackeFriend wrote:I got a set of Audi seats at the local jun k yard. They are 19" wide
with a 15" base.

Thanks for that - nice looking seats..... & 19" would be perfect- any idea of model/year?

Thanks

Mike

I think 2005 is close maybe 2004. They should fit most vans if they fit mine. I had to remove parts of the electronics and a side cover for them to fit. Also cut a dogleg off the inside seat back bracket. I have not installed them yet... but by December they will be in my van! I had much work to complete a doghouse switch & new 4-core radiator etc etc... LOL
It's a puzzle that never gets fully finished evidently! Good luck on finding seats that fit you and the van. I am only 5' tall so i have no special requirements except I must be able to reach the pedals. My seats are going to be fixed not adjustable.

JackeFriend wrote:

DueNorth wrote:

JackeFriend wrote:I got a set of Audi seats at the local jun k yard. They are 19" wide
with a 15" base.

Thanks for that - nice looking seats..... & 19" would be perfect- any idea of model/year?

Thanks

Mike

I think 2005 is close maybe 2004. They should fit most vans if they fit mine. I had to remove parts of the electronics and a side cover for them to fit. Also cut a dogleg off the inside seat back bracket. I have not installed them yet... but by December they will be in my van! I had much work to complete a doghouse switch & new 4-core radiator etc etc... LOL
It's a puzzle that never gets fully finished evidently! Good luck on finding seats that fit you and the van. I am only 5' tall so i have no special requirements except I must be able to reach the pedals. My seats are going to be fixed not adjustable.

Thanks for that- I don't mind a bit of fettling to make them fit!

This is my first pre-'70 van -but I've had quite a few late 70's 80's/90's VWs and never managed to finish one yet- as you say there is always another job!
Mike

Most definitely you need more seat.

OutofSight wrote:Most definitely you need more seat.

yup.....or less food!- but on balance, I think I'll go for the bigger seat!

No picture, but i have some 1995 leather jeep cherokee xj seats in my 66 panel. Fit nice

These are Smittybilt, Jeep replacements narrow enough for these vans, adapting the original slider rails is easy, they are available in high back.

Hey busman those seats look good.

Thanks!

benwah wrote:No picture, but i have some 1995 leather jeep cherokee xj seats in my 66 panel. Fit nice

They are definitely nice seats-I had a look at those & I thought they may be a touch too high for me!
Mike

busman78 wrote:These are Smittybilt, Jeep replacements narrow enough for these vans, adapting the original slider rails is easy, they are available in high back.

Thanks for that-Those look really smart ( & not expensive either!)- I had a look on their website & I think I would probably go for the highback version

-just a matter of how much they would charge for international shipping-shouldn't be too bad as I see they break down into 2 pieces & should be fairly light-I think I'll drop them an email!

Mike

Here is a picture of what I did to mount the original slider assembly, rather easy just two straps of 1/8" steel (different widths) bolted to the seat bases, then holes placed in the adapter steel to bolt the sliders at the correct spacing. Probably many other ways of installing using the original slider or aftermarket, this kept the height change to a minimum. All bolts, washers and nuts are grade 8.

as much as I hate to say it, Honda civic. around 2003-4. decent for a 200 mile drive and I am 6'1" and a chubby 260 plus...LOL

Wow. grade 8 bolts way overkill. I chopped the headrests off of my xj seats. I like to wear my straw cowboy hat in the summer. jkr I like your ashtray cover!

Yea kind of wasteful to spend a couple extra bucks on grade 8, they just hold the seat in, also use the same grade for seat belts, another wasteful use of money on high grade hardware.

benwah wrote:Wow. grade 8 bolts way overkill. I chopped the headrests off of my xj seats. I like to wear my straw cowboy hat in the summer. jkr I like your ashtray cover!

just a few of the fleet. but the dancing beer can is the special one. got it for a birthday present from my mom when I was about 16............ a looooooooong time ago.

Here's another option, Empi 62-2950-0 and 62-2951-0 low-back tilt seats for VW's, about 20.5" wide with tilt and pocket on the back. Vintage look, nice quality, $418/set shipped

I like the stock seats myself. Had the 64 Dart GT design made into A-100 Covers.

Nice dan. I like the stock seats too. I think i will re upholster mine in a saddle naugahide with square pleats. Been going back and forth on a square or diamond pleated interior,but i think I'm going with the squares on this one.

saw these - https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/us-military-surplus-vehicle-seat-new?a=1911564

bugeye bob wrote:saw these - https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/us-military-surplus-vehicle-seat-new?a=1911564

There's no way those are leather for $80/pc