[rockable]

How much will 61compression foam sink with my 210 pound butt planted in it? I am trying to figure out how thick the foam needs to be. I assume the seat backs won't compress much at all. Correct?

[DanTwoLakes]

61 compression should be fine if it's at least 3" thick. I'd go with 4" if I were you. No, you won't compress the foam much on the seat backs. There you could use 2" and be just fine.

[Jaer007ll]

Thanks, Dan. I'm beginning to get the picture. I'm not convinced that even with new springs, the seats would be comfortable on long trips.

[DanTwoLakes]

The seats will definitely be better for long trips with what you plan to do.

[rockable]

Dan,
I got a block of 3",4" & 5" foam from Rochford. I like the way it sets up with the 5" block as the bottom cushion and the 4" block as the seat back cushion. I have the rake adjusted to where it is very comfortable to me and my 6' 2" frame.

Here is my question. The upholsterer will add additional padding to the foam. Correct? Will this additional padding add any significant changes to my dimensions that I have dialed in? Or will that be mostly insignificant.

Thanks for your help!

[DanTwoLakes]

The upholsterer may add some dacron batting to the foam, but that should be insignificant to the end result.

[rockable]

That's what I thought. Thanks again!

[rockable]

Worked on my seat this weekend. I could not live with the springy original seats but I wanted the seats to look mostly original. With the help of DanTwoLakes, I came up with this solution.



I built a 3/4" plywood base for the bottom and two 1/2" plywood seat backs with brackets to make them mount in the original frames.



I ordered a sheet of 3", 4" and 5" firm foam to try. I ended up liking the 5" foam in the bottom and the 4" in the backs. This will fill out the frame and make the seats look good and sit good. These things are better than my sofa in my house and I have the seat and steering angle to my liking now.



I had to make an adapter that moved the seat back a couple inches and will make a block that will get the inclination like I want it.



The seat frame will still need to be blasted and painted. Then, when I'm ready, I will take it to the upholsterer and let him finish trimming the foam and do the upholstery. I'm pretty happy how this turned out, so far.

Suggestions?

[Mojo56]

Nice job... my '52 Pontiac also has some pretty weird seating for some reason...way too thick of a seat cushion to be comfortable for me. I might try this when the time comes.

[DanTwoLakes]

If it makes you happy, that's all that counts.