headroom

[65BLUBIRD]

I just bought a 65 tbird and it is a little tight fit as I am 6'4". Any suggestions on seat adjustment?

 

[rskangler]

I got my 65 only a few weeks ago and I am 6ft 1 in. myself and it was much to close for me too. You can make a metal bracket and weld bolts to go into the existing holes and other bolts into the seat track. Or you can do the simple thing like I did and am sure there are fellow Tbird people who wont like what I did which is drill 4 new holes a few inches further back into the floor boards. I am going to cover the old holes with thin aluminum and spray undercoating over it. What a difference in the driving experience with the seat back for us tall guys.
Hope this helps and good luck.. Richard

 

[65BLUBIRD]

Thanks for the idea. Did doing this five you more legroom, headroom or both?

 

[rskangler]

It gave me lots of legroom.As a matter of fact I moved it far enough back for someone of your height because I dont adjust the seat as far back to where I moved it to. The headroom wasnt an issue for me. My drivers seat is power and dont know which one goes lower power or manual. Which do you have? The other thing you can do is at the bottom of the back part of the seat there are bolts that adjust and tilts the seat back and that will give you more headroom.

 

[65BLUBIRD]

I will check it out. So your power seat works? Does it work in all 4 directions or just backward and forward?

 

[rskangler]

Yes it works in all 4 directions..

 

[ChrisinAZ]

In my 64 Hardtop I have the power seat all the way back, all the way down and it's still cramped. I'm 6'3" and "big boned" (i.e. overweight). I have decided to try fitting some thinner locknuts to the driver's seat back adjuster or leave them out so I can rake the seat more - at least then I can see the speedo numbers... I don't want to drill more holes in the floor pan; maybe I can get the local welder to make up a bracket as long as it's strong enough to secure the seat pan under significant load.
This will have to wait; got married Friday - the T-Bird did sterling service as the wedding car - and off to Ireland for a long honeymoon.

 

[rskangler]

Congradulations on your marriage...Hope you have a great honeymoon...I probably should have had a bracket made too..

 

[sseebart]

I'm 6' 4" too and it was far too cramped with my (manual) seat all the way back. As a temporary measure, I took off the seat, removed the riser brackets and re-installed the seat with bolts run up from underneath the car--to the cages nuts on the seat assembly--on the front only. (The back of the seat sits on a piece of plywood in the back footwell to avoid drilling new holes.)

This is not ideal. There's nothing holding the seat down in the back, the back of the driver's seat is right up against the back seat and there's no way to adjust the seat. Also, the seat is now a little too low!

My plan is to remove the sliders from the risers (They are riveted together.), and essentially mount the seat and sliders without the risers. Luckily, I have manual seats, so there's no motors and electronics to work around.

Hope this actually makes sense. I'll post some photos when I finish this project.

~Steve

 

[65BLUBIRD]

Lots of good ideas. I guess I am going to have to get under the car and unbolt the seat. The power seat is stuck, and the little joystick, though broken can be maneuvered, but no response. Assuming I have power to the motor, any other things to check? If it is the switch or the motor are these hard to get or have rebuilt?

 

[rskangler]

All power seat parts are available.I needed the seat switch and got it from Pat Wilsons in New Jersey. Look up his web site,he can be called too for expert advise on anything Tbird.

 

[65BLUBIRD]

Well I got under the car after the long weekend and was pleasantly surprised that my power seat does work, back and forth anyway, just wasn't connected. I adjusted everything as far as it could go as far as backward and lower and still a little tight. As far as headroom, I think I am going to have to live with it unless there is some additional adjustment to the seat. Might check and see what an upholsterer can do.

 

[rskangler]

I repeat myself but I drilled holes in the floorboard and moved my seat way back and it is real roomy now. I could understand not doing that but a bracket could be made also. Did you try to adjust the bolts on the bottom of the seat backs to tilt the seat back? That could be a big help...Good luck..