[302 Z28]

Need some ideas on what seats to consider for my 34 Ford 3 window coupe. It has a 2" chop, so the seats cannot have too high of a base. I would like to find some power seats that require a short base.

Tnanks
Vince

[kristkustoms]

Couple things to think about, do you want to get seats out of another car (junk yard)? Or aftermarket seats? Aftermarket seats will be a bit more expensive, but you wil have a BRAND NEW seat rather than a used seat from a junk yard. My personal opinion, why would you build a brand new street rod and then put a used seat from a junk yard in it? There are advantages or disadvantages to each. More selections out of a junk yard, most aftermarket seats dont have all the plastic on the sides and have no visible hardware or reclining mechanisms.

[302 Z28]

I understand you aversion to using what you call "junk yard" seats. I prefer to call these storehouses of reusable parts "salvage yards". Over the years I have scored some very valuable parts at very reasonable prices. Case in point: My neighbors daughter has a 2002 Honda Accord with dark grey leather bucket seats. They appear a shoe in for my coupe, and happen to be the right color I am considering for my interior. I did a search on a nation wide auto parts website for these seats. The search returned no less than 75 hits, ranging in price from $400 to $150 for both front bucket seats. I just might be lucky enough to find them in leather and the right color. I also want the power seat function. The aftermarket seats I have looked at are very expensive, even more so when the power seat option is added. I figure I can find some very usable late model seats for a reasonable price, and even if I have to recover them I am still $$ ahead IMO.

Vince

[FASTFORD]

you need to know the finished dimension between the door panels (on my 34 it is 44"). so i needed to use seats with a overall width of 21 1/2 inches or less. you must check that the selt belt guides, power controls, seat back latches,etc, do not protrude out farther or they will leave impressions on the door panel material .
good luck with your rod.

[302 Z28]

FASTFORD, Thanks for the tips. Is that your 34 Ford?

Vince

[EBlack36]

Vince,
I have been using seats out of a Ford Tempo or Mercury Topaz in my 36 Pontiac for several years. The problem I was running into is that although the car was wide enough at the "B" pilar for just about any seat it went in about six inches per side from there to the front edge of the door. therefore I needed a seat that was narrow. The Tempo/Topaz seats fit the bill and the drivers side is power and both have a power lumbar support built in at the factory. I picked them up a a U-Wrench-It for about seventy five a pair. At that price you can aford to have them redone any way that you want them. Just my 2 cents on what worked for me.

Earl

[302 Z28]

Thanks EBlack36, that is some very valuable info, I will look into it. This site is a great resource.

Vince

[EBlack36]

I like this site a lot, I have gotten some good info over the last year or so. If people would just keep it light hearted and or about the rods it would be a lot more fun.

[302 Z28]

Originally posted by EBlack36
I like this site a lot, I have gotten some good info over the last year or so. If people would just keep it light hearted and or about the rods it would be a lot more fun.

Yep, it does tend to get out of hand occasionally, but that is the nature of the beast. It is a whole lot better than some sites I have been iinvolved with though. On the whole though I find hot rodders are a pretty easy going crowd, who are ready to share info at the drop of a hat.

In that light <grin>, could you provide me with some dimensions of your seats, like total width, and distance from top of seat to bottom to floor.

Thanks again
Vince

[EBlack36]

I am at work now, I will measure them when I get home this evening and post the demisnsions.

[302 Z28]

Originally posted by EBlack36
I am at work now, I will measure them when I get home this evening and post the demisnsions.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Vince

[FASTFORD]

EBlack36 brought up some thing i forgot to mention. most of the seats from new(er) cars widen towards the front & the older cars narrow as you go to the front. hence my recommendation to measure overall width of the seat. i do know pre 1998/99 ford escort seats will fit (at least for my car).

[302 Z28]

FASTFORD, what kind of rod you driving?

Vince

[FASTFORD]

your looking at it, my avatar. also in the photo album. btw, mine has a 3 " chop, being a ford fan,its powered by a 351 cleveland.

[302 Z28]

Is it a glass car, or steel. If it is glass, what make is the body?

Vince