Late Model Seats into your Classic Ride

Do you sacrifice any height with the late model seats?
As it is with the original seats, I barely fit under the roof/headliner of my 68 Mustang. In other words, did the distance from where you plant your behind and up to the headliner decrease or indrease? and how much?
Thanks much! Ken

Originally Posted by knielsen

Do you sacrifice any height with the late model seats?
As it is with the original seats, I barely fit under the roof/headliner of my 68 Mustang. In other words, did the distance from where you plant your behind and up to the headliner decrease or indrease? and how much?
Thanks much! Ken

Hi Ken. I acutally made sure that I sat down in the car just before I did the swap to see if it increased. I can say yes it's a little higher but maybe 1/2" . On the driver side I didn't really notice a difference between my legs and steering wheel (non-tilt column). So I'd say its really not noticiable.
Plus, you can recline the late model seats more than earlier models, so you can gain some headroom that way.

Thanks,
Rich

Hi,
First post here, but long time lurker.
Wondering if strtcar is still around and can give an update on this seat mod, still happy with it? Anyone else done this mod? How about to a '66 mustang coupe? Thanks in advance for any info you can offer.

PS I didn't come accross this thread till after much searching...seems the '98 and earlier seat swap is popular, but it's getting hard to find those seats in good condition. Also, I think the recessed area on the driver's seat may discourage some, but the sleeves/spacer used above seem like a great idea...thoughts?

I used Mazda Miata seats, more readily avail, a little more work making em work though. See Tech Exchange, "New Twist on an old Project. Also go to makeing Progress, 67 Mustang Coupe to see what they look like covered as close to OEM colors and vinyle as I could get.

Originally Posted by BTMc

Hi,
First post here, but long time lurker.
Wondering if strtcar is still around and can give an update on this seat mod, still happy with it? Anyone else done this mod? How about to a '66 mustang coupe? Thanks in advance for any info you can offer.

PS I didn't come accross this thread till after much searching...seems the '98 and earlier seat swap is popular, but it's getting hard to find those seats in good condition. Also, I think the recessed area on the driver's seat may discourage some, but the sleeves/spacer used above seem like a great idea...thoughts?

Long time to get back to this, but finally done with some floor pan repair, painting, wiring...etc, etc, etc....and ready to install these seats.

Thanks for the tip on the Mazda seats Gydyup. I had already leaped before I looked and acquired some white leather seats from an '01 convertible.

Just wanted to update my findings on installing these seats in a '66. I'm guessing the OEM tracks on a '66 vs a '67 must be slightly different because I had to use a little different spacers between the tracks and the seat frames.

This mainly had to do with the secondary track or the track that is not controlled by the release lever (this is the RH track if you were sitting in the seat on both seats in a '66...it's activated by a turnbuckle type link connected to the primary track which is activated by the release lever).

On this secondary track the release mechanism needs some additional clearance between it and the seat frame or upholstery on these 99-04 seats. Long story shorter, I had to add a 1/4 inch spacer between the seat frame and the secondary track on the passenger side seat, and use full 1" spacers all the way around on the driver's seat to allow clearance for full actuation of the release mechanisms on the secondary tracks. I used the 1" spacers all the way around on the driver's seat to keep it uniform. I only used two 1/4" spacers on the passenger side seat secondary track, because I only had two on hand and was pressed for time. Looking forward to bolting them in this afternoon.

Thanks, it may be the seat itself vice the tracks or bases. I replaced my bases. But the seats I had in it were our of an 80's or early 90's 5.0. The tracks were very flush on those, and had no clearance, but would work. Just drug the seat frame a bit. Still, the early Mustang seats are thicker and bigger, thus sit higher than the stock seats. Mock em up with your spacers (duck tape will hold it all i place) and set them in the car, try them. I found the seat height with the old seats too high, couldnt squeeze between the roll bar and steering wheel, and once in the car, my head hit the headliner, I am only 5-91/2.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by BTMc

Long time to get back to this, but finally done with some floor pan repair, painting, wiring...etc, etc, etc....and ready to install these seats.

Thanks for the tip on the Mazda seats Gydyup. I had already leaped before I looked and acquired some white leather seats from an '01 convertible.

Just wanted to update my findings on installing these seats in a '66. I'm guessing the OEM tracks on a '66 vs a '67 must be slightly different because I had to use a little different spacers between the tracks and the seat frames.

This mainly had to do with the secondary track or the track that is not controlled by the release lever (this is the RH track if you were sitting in the seat on both seats in a '66...it's activated by a turnbuckle type link connected to the primary track which is activated by the release lever).

On this secondary track the release mechanism needs some additional clearance between it and the seat frame or upholstery on these 99-04 seats. Long story shorter, I had to add a 1/4 inch spacer between the seat frame and the secondary track on the passenger side seat, and use full 1" spacers all the way around on the driver's seat to allow clearance for full actuation of the release mechanisms on the secondary tracks. I used the 1" spacers all the way around on the driver's seat to keep it uniform. I only used two 1/4" spacers on the passenger side seat secondary track, because I only had two on hand and was pressed for time. Looking forward to bolting them in this afternoon.