MGB & GT Forum

I'm very happy with the results.
Here's some photos;

In the shop cleaning up. $80 bucks for the pair out of a local junkyard. I cut off the locating pins on the bottom rails and straightened the mounting hole area so they sit flat.


After removing the old seats, I made a cardboard template of the floor showing the existing seat captive nut mount locations. I then positioned the new seats on the template and, using a small model paintbrush and paint, reached underneath and marked the new seat mounting hole locations on the template. This gave me a pattern to make the adapter rails.


I made the rails out of 1/8 x 2" flat steel. Holes drilled for existing seat mount bolts to the captive nuts in the floor. Then I drilled and tapped the holes for the seats bolts. I went with 3/8-24x 1/2" bolts. Fine thread so I had more "bite" in the 1/8 thick stock. Worked well and I also used a drop of loctite on each bolt when mounting to the rails. Painted gloss black.


Installed the adapter rails using the bolts from the old seat rails using the captive nuts in the floor. New seat bolts facing up to receive the new seats. The bolt heads face down towards the floor, but their thickness is "absorbed" into the thick carpet and sound deadening material.


Front mount showing the mount into the plate/floor captive nuts and the new seat mount with a 3/8" nut, flat and star washer. Hmmm I should of touched that up! And a touch of blue paint leftover from marking the holes!


Rear mount. Notice the plate mount bolt under the seat rail. Not an issue as the mounting feet are raised slightly and give just enough clearance.



TA-DA!


A couple of tips;
When I installed the seats, I swapped driver and passenger sides. This puts the angle and seat tilt release on the inside, but I feel it's a better fit and it gives more seat travel as well. Others have installed them on their original sides with no problems.

Don't assume the seat mounting bolt holes on the new seats are in the same locations. They're not. Make a pattern for each seat. The passenger seat holes are spaced closer from side to side compared to the drivers seat dimensions.

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Rob.


"Now the problem you have is that when you have the unerring certainty of machinery, it is a machine. When something has foibles, it won’t handle properly, that gives it a particularly human quality because it makes mistakes. And that’s how you can build a relationship with a car that other people won’t get."
Jeremy Clarkson



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-03-27 09:33 PM by losmorob.

Nicely done, and a great tutorial. Thanks.

I guess that means you don't want those old seats I've been saving for you, eh?<GGG>

I might just have to go Miata seat hunting myself one of these days.

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1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

Very nicely done Rob, thanks for sharing that process.
Now, how do the seats feel?
Paul

You'll like those seats. They're the same as in my Miata....and they're great on long trips. I like the cloth too...more comfortable than leather or vinyl in hot weather.

Good job. If/when I get at GT, I think those seats are part of the plan.

Steve

You just added another item to my todo list. What year Miata seats are those. I'd love to find a set in grey for my 70GT.

Gavin

Nicely done Robert!

Very nice Robert. They have a really nice look to them

Ken

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Canada - "they are like the nice family living above a biker bar" - Robin Williams

Paul;
After a short drive, I'm liking the fit. Thay are smaller but more supportive. My previous seats were a combination of year's bases and backs with extra/not enough foam/ lawn chair webbing, torn upholustry and 3 layers of seat covers. So pretty much anything would of been a trade up.

Gavin;
That style was made from '89-'97.

And the slide soooo easily.

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Rob.


"Now the problem you have is that when you have the unerring certainty of machinery, it is a machine. When something has foibles, it won’t handle properly, that gives it a particularly human quality because it makes mistakes. And that’s how you can build a relationship with a car that other people won’t get."
Jeremy Clarkson

Robert, I have fiero seats but those look taller. Did you compare the two by chance? Anyone else?

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Canada - "they are like the nice family living above a biker bar" - Robin Williams

Ken;
I think the Miata seat is a bit taller. I was going to do Fiero seats with Mr. Mikes seat covers, but I couldn't beat the price of a perfect pair of Miata seats vs recovering a pair of harder to find Fiero's.

I actually bought one Fiero seat before I went with the Miata's. I was sitting in it today on my shop floor and they're pretty darn comfortable. I think the Fiero Seats are wider, more chair like where the Miata seats have more side bolster support. My opinion.

If anyone wants the Fiero seat in the Nor CA area, you can have it. It does need recovering. Passenger side.

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Rob.


"Now the problem you have is that when you have the unerring certainty of machinery, it is a machine. When something has foibles, it won’t handle properly, that gives it a particularly human quality because it makes mistakes. And that’s how you can build a relationship with a car that other people won’t get."
Jeremy Clarkson



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-03-27 11:20 PM by losmorob.

Looks pretty good, Rob. A different method than mine for mounting them but looks like some clever engineering. You'll like the seats.

FYI.....Mr.Mike has Miata seat covers available in addition to Fiero seat covers.

Vinyl or leather....both are of very good quality.

I've only installed Fiero...but cannot imagine that the Miata would be any more difficult to use.

Here's the Fiero vinyl kit as installed on the Roadmaster project.

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1952 MGTD - 1969 MGC - 1972 MGB - 1974&1/2 MGB/GT V8 conversion - 1978 MGB

mowog1@aol.com

Nice job Robert. I may have to yank mine out and follow your instructions to remount. I have the same seats. I installed
mine in the original position and they do travel nicely, however if you notice more travel by swapping them I may just do that.
I'm just not sure if it'll make that much difference in a 66 as I don't know if your tunnel area is wider or mine is skinnier. Do your have the speakers in the headrests? I replaced the speakers with a complete set that fit perfect for about $70. Let me know if you need the info for them. I've been eyeballing the Mr Mikes covers for some time, just haven't ordered them.

You'll notice the difference in support. My wife doesn't mind the long rides anymore since I installed them.