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Tilting seats - anyone done it?
RazMan - 13/4/06 at 10:05 PM

Just sorting out the bracketry for my seats and it ocurred to me that I could access the 'dead' area behind the seats if they were to tilt forward on a hinge.

Has anyone done this? I can easily weld a hinge to the front of the seat mounts but what about the catch/release mechanism?


MkIndy7 - 13/4/06 at 10:34 PM

We had the seats on runners so you could adjust the seating position, and slide them forward to get to the space behind.

But the it does feel so much better without the runners, a much better seating position.


nitram38 - 13/4/06 at 11:01 PM

Try getting the seat sub-frame from a 2-door, 4 seater car. They have to tilt!


RazMan - 13/4/06 at 11:05 PM

MkIndy7 - Can't go the seat runner route as the seat is in a recessed floor pan and between two chassis rails.

nitram38 - Good idea, I'll give my local scrappy a visit


Humbug - 14/4/06 at 09:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
MkIndy7 - Can't go the seat runner route as the seat is in a recessed floor pan and between two chassis rails.

nitram38 - Good idea, I'll give my local scrappy a visit


From memory, at least some old Minis had seats where the whole thing tilted forward (i.e. not just the backrest). Good luck - let us know how you get on.


Triton - 14/4/06 at 09:19 AM

Tilting a seat will mean that a secure catch of some kind is needed with an easy way of releasing and closing it.....Old Mini's with lift up seats and no rear catch can and DO fail the MOT for that even though they were made that way.
Easy enough to do though.


MkIndy7 - 15/4/06 at 11:19 AM

I think i've seen one of the manuracturers like Cobra do the tilting subframes or somebody does so you can fit the cheaper type solid buckets in 2 door cars.

Or another idea, could you get to this area from inside the "boot" and have a closable compartment in there.


RazMan - 15/4/06 at 12:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MkIndy7
I think i've seen one of the manuracturers like Cobra do the tilting subframes or somebody does so you can fit the cheaper type solid buckets in 2 door cars.

Or another idea, could you get to this area from inside the "boot" and have a closable compartment in there.


My 'boot' is the engine bay - it's a middy


omega0684 - 15/4/06 at 02:39 PM

raz have you got ur seats then? get some pickies up!


MkIndy7 - 15/4/06 at 09:21 PM

Doh! lol, Stupid me,

This was the kind of thing I ment for the seat runners tho.

http://www.rallynuts.com/motorsport/OMP_Race_Seats_1767/OMP_Seat_Tilting_Frame_for_2_door_cars_2431.asp

Just typed "tilting subframes" in Yahoo and it came up with quite a few examples from different Manufacturers.


RazMan - 15/4/06 at 09:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by omega0684
raz have you got ur seats then? get some pickies up!


They are Ultima seats and are exactly the right angle for my Aeon GT. They still require a bit of modding to fit in between my chassis rails (to maximise the headroom) but I'm working on the bracketry as we speak - and the hinge idea works too! I bought a pair of hinges from B&Q and welded them onto a subframe which pivots on the leading edge - just got to figure out the latch mechanism now and the OMP link has given me an idea for that (ta very much MkIndy7 ) If all goes to plan I should be able to tilt the seats forward enough to access the storage boxes (actually Metro glove boxes) mounted behind them.
Trimming them is going to be fun - got some 10mm camping mat and RazLady is going to make some Alcantara covers and cushion inserts. Rescued attachment Ultima seat.jpg
Rescued attachment Ultima seat.jpg


Humbug - 15/4/06 at 10:04 PM

I got there before you with the Metro glove box idea (just one side, though)!

Rescued attachment 2005-12-10 ST glove box in car 1.jpg
Rescued attachment 2005-12-10 ST glove box in car 1.jpg


RazMan - 15/4/06 at 10:28 PM

Humbug - I think it was your post a few months back that gave me the idea! They are just the right shape to fit in the dead area.

I'm thinking about using something like this for the latch



Any one see any SVA problems?

[Edited on 15-4-06 by RazMan]


MkIndy7 - 15/4/06 at 11:20 PM

Nope those catches look pretty sufficient.

It might just be worth drilling them and pitting an R clip or similar in somewhere to lock them purely for the SVA. Not that you nesacerily need them, just an idea to save you having to go back should this be an issue.

We had to take the runners off due to the seatbelt heights and could only get 2 bolts in each seat then, and he just tried to wobble them and said "yeh there fine", probably because should you crash its the hranesses that stop you flying out anyway.


RazMan - 16/4/06 at 12:00 AM

I've got a similar situation with my harness holes being slightly too low. I will have to open the cutouts a little to get them just right. Are there any mouldings available for these cutouts? It would look a lot neater than the usual edge trim.


Chippy - 17/4/06 at 11:18 PM

Hi Razman, don't know if you have sorted your seats yet, but if not pop to your local scrappy and check out the Pug 205 two door. They ae fitted with very nice tilt seat runners, lever opperated, could be just what you are looking for. Regards Chippy


Chippy - 17/4/06 at 11:19 PM

Hi Razman, don't know if you have sorted your seats yet, but if not pop to your local scrappy and check out the Pug 205 two door. They are fitted with very nice tilt seat runners, lever opperated, could be just what you are looking for. Regards Chippy


RazMan - 18/4/06 at 07:38 AM

Chippy - I've made a prototype which didn't allow enough clearance between the seat and roof so I'm presently remaking it. I couldn't use any runners as the seat sits inside a recessed floor pan and will only fit in one position, so anyone shorter or taller than me will not be able to drive (RazLady included ).

I've welded some stainless marine quality hinges to the front of a subframe and attached a trailer draw bolt (see above pic) which locks the seat in position.


Chippy - 18/4/06 at 09:48 PM

Hi Razman, it was just an idea, as the 205 two door runners are very neat. Best of luck with your tilt mechanism, done in the true Locost manner. Regards Chippy.