[MI2600]

Probably a newbie question, but...

I'm going to put some Ford seats (I know, I know) in my '72 El Camino.

Is there a "rule of thumb" about the forward-backward placement of the seats. I read somewhere that they should be placed with seat in the full forward position, but I don't remember reading about the relationship of the seat to the steering wheel.

There must be some ergonomic calculation involving the square root of the diameter of the sun...or something.

[Centerline]

What I did when I put the Olds Tornado seat in my 53 Chevy pickup was to mount it with the slides centered where it was comfortable for me. That gives half movement forward and back for someone who may eventually own the truck that might be taller or shorter. At full back the seat just contacts the back of the cab.

[Henry Highrise]

I think Centerline is right on the money! Thats just what I did on my coupe and it works very well.

[73oldsman]

I recently put new seats in my Olds and did as Centerline suggested. Worked fine.

[302 Z28]

The seat fully forward placement is really only critical in early rods that get very narrow as you go forward in the cab.

Vince

[MI2600]

Thanks, guys.

My other concern is that the Ford seats may slow me down some...here comes the flak!

[Mrwood]

I put mustang buckets in my 48 chevy, and i adjusted the track to center, then sat in it and mounted it to where it fit me. This way anyone who drives it has plenty of adjustment.Works great. Just make sure you get the height set right.

[Don Meyer]

Thumbs up for Centerline's method....Don

[1982 SS]

One more in favor of Centerlines method.

FWIW, I have a friend that has a (I think '71 Elky) with Ford Exploder seats. They really look good and appear to be very comfortable in long distance hauls. I'm not sure if he has a console but I know he has a magashifter in it.

I also did the seat swap with my '82 Elky. I used '92 Trans Am seats and was able to use all of the factory mounts (1 I had to make a plate to offset it about 1") I was more worried about getting it square side to side than front to back. The seat I used had a huge amount of adjustment fron to back and I can be so far back I can barely touch the pedals (not easy as I'm at least 6'2").

[trees]

Centerline 's method works great when you have the benefit of fore and aft space, but when space is limited, it becomes a good ideal to locate the seat tracks in the full aft position, then put the seat in the vehicle to ensure clearance between the seat back and the area behind it. The last thing you want is to have some one ram his/her seat back into the upholstery of your pu cab or coupe.

Nah, those Ford seats will not slow you down, but may save your neck or noggin from denting your Elky.

Trees