Seat swap questions

EXNODRAMANOTCH · #1 08-24-2011, 08:08 AM

My 89 MN SSP driver's seat has a backwards lean (won't stay forward like the passenger seat). It will lay flat, but won't stay forward in more vertical positions. My question is, can a passenger seat be converted to a drivers seat by moving the release lever and track adjuster to the other side? I would like to take the regatta blue upholstery off the 89 driver's seat and put it on a 86 passenger side gray SSP seat that I have. Also could I just swap the seat backs (keep the bottom cushion and lower seat frame, then switch the upholstery), as isn't that the part of the seat frame that is usual bent and causes the lean? Also my blue seat back has a rip in it (about 1" wide in the middle), so I would be interested in replacing that upholstery (If I used a passenger side piece, then I would not have to relocate the release lever — neither of the release levers work on the SSP anyway). Thanks for any help,
Bob

EXNODRAMANOTCH · #2 08-24-2011, 08:58 AM

I found this after my original post. I don't have a welder, but I may try to find somebody who does. Anybody else try this method?

http://mustang.zeroentity.com/howto_...wto_glean.html

03cobra · #3 08-24-2011, 04:39 PM

You can just replace the seatback. Just carefully take your old covers off and replace it on another drivers seat back.Its fairly easy just time consuming. I have taken quite a few seat apart and the official seat lean is just structure failure which causes the back to twist and pops the spot welds. Theres no extra support in the middle of the seat to tie the top and bottom together. There lies the problem. If you need some pictures I have a seat already broken down. Hope this helps. If you need a good back let me know.

FHP813 · #4 08-24-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

I found this after my original post. I don't have a welder, but I may try to find somebody who does. Anybody else try this method?

http://mustang.zeroentity.com/howto_...wto_glean.html

I did this to one of Jarheds cars. I had to drill some new holes because some of them were torn like in the pics. Anyone with novice welding skills can do this.

03cobra · #5 08-25-2011, 05:47 PM

Heres some pictures of the seat inner structure. It shows the common issues with the seat backs. Once the seat is twisted its hard to really straighten it back to be 100%. Hope this helps.

EXNODRAMANOTCH · #6 09-26-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03cobra

You can just replace the seatback. Just carefully take your old covers off and replace it on another drivers seat back.Its fairly easy just time consuming. I have taken quite a few seat apart and the official seat lean is just structure failure which causes the back to twist and pops the spot welds. Theres no extra support in the middle of the seat to tie the top and bottom together. There lies the problem. If you need some pictures I have a seat already broken down. Hope this helps. If you need a good back let me know.

I took apart the seat today and all the spot welds are intact. No bolt hole rips or any other structural damage, but there is a definite twist to the back. I don't know how to twist it back, and if I did, what would keep it from happening again (taking the thing down to the frame is real PIA). If you have a good driver's side back let me know what you want for it via PM. Thanks,
Bob

03cobra · #7 09-26-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXNODRAMANOTCH

I took apart the seat today and all the spot welds are intact. No bolt hole rips or any other structural damage, but there is a definite twist to the back. I don't know how to twist it back, and if I did, what would keep it from happening again (taking the thing down to the frame is real PIA). If you have a good driver's side back let me know what you want for it via PM. Thanks,
Bob

Hello Bob ...Just messaged you on the seat back