Getting my steering mocked up in a 32 roadster. Figuring out that my seat is a bit tall with foam (around 9" uncompressed). What's th usual finished seat bottom heights for these? I'm 6'6", so that's playing into it. I can remove the seat tracks to lower it 3-4", but then I'll have no adjustment. Guys that know good finished seat heights and/or can measure theirs (especially those of you who are tall), please advise. Thanks!
At 6’6” I’d suggest starting but removing the tracks to get that 3”-4” to start with. At your height you won’t need the adjusters. You’ll want the seat back as far as you can get it.
I'm in the process now of mocking up seat height, steering column and brake set up on a gl*** 32roadster. I'm just blocking the seat up with 2 x 4's until I am looking through the center of the windshield. It might be a little low, but I'm not a fan of looking at the top windshield frame (had a T roadster years ago).
Time used doing mock-up fit=Time saved later,get it so it feels good for all controls. Every thing can be moved. Don't be Lazy about it !
Wise guy ... glad you have extra money to spend on those -Right now, a glide seat frame with foam is $1,100 plus shipping from California. My 1986 S10 seat cost me $65 (and about 6 hours worth of hacking at it) and I can use the factory upholstery as a pattern for the new upholstery.
I had a Glide seat from So-Cal in one roadster and I liked the way it folded back under the body, had a flip up bottom for some storage and had about 7 inches fore and aft adjustment. There is now a seat company named Bengals that makes a seat just like a Glide for 1/2 the price. My upholster always said don't waste your money on the foam kit as it doesn't work very well. On all my other roadsters I had scratch built seats.
The good upholstery guys can add better foam. Krylon 32 speaks the truth. Have that seat in my 5 W. Storage in the back and under the seat.
At 6'6" I don't even think a glide would work properly for the OP. Plus, even when I sold them I thought they were overpriced. But, the customer is always right .... @SDS , get your s10 seat in there and start playing around. Move it up, down back and back. A good higher density foam can be kept fairly thin. A good bolster at the front edge of the seat will keep you from submarining and sliding forward. Also note if you have lumbar issues. Years ago I had to crank up the lumbar support in whatever I drove. YOU can tweak it however your body needs.
I would also suggest not upholstering it until you have put some miles on it. A few extended hours of driving will tell you more than all the dry fitting in the world ever could.
Thanks to everyone for your input - hearing actionable tips from someone who's done it kid saving me both time & $.
Removing the seat tracks gave me about 4-5". Now I'm looking out the middle of the windshield. I'm going to roll with it and set up the steering column.
A Tea’s seat would probably work the best at 6’- 6”, and also for sure be the most comfortable. Not the most traditional looking, but with traditional style upholstery on it, wouldn’t look too bad. Don’t think 32 Fords were designed for 6’- 6” tall people.
Also, try angling the seat base so it's up a bit in the front. It may allow your legs to be bent in a more comfortable position.
Having the front of the bottom cushion high enough is important. Mine has a bolster at the front, but I still need a folded hand towel to support my upper leg while driving long distances. The support makes it easier for my ankle to operate the accelerator. Not as easy when the whole leg is unsupported. Be sure the front bolster is high enough.
Tanks, Inc. makes a nice adjustable seat mounting bracket. It is adjustable front to back and up and down (3"+/-). I used them on my Glide seat. Works great.
Thanks for the idea, and those look pretty nice. But I can't go up any higher - after I took the brackets off the bottom of my modified S10 pickup seat, The seat height is perfect
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