Hot Rods T Bucket Interiors

Sometimes the belt routing doesn't go where a bolt through the floor to the frame goes.....just an option to fit a particular car. If you can use a body mounting bolt for a seatbelt, it's obviously better and simpler

The body would be bolted to the frame , and the belt would give a secure attachment to the frame. I've heard of belts just bolted to the floor without proper reinforcement that pulled though in an accident

 

Well, aside from hanging a Pre '66 Mopar push button shifter on the seat riser
or the very common Mustang t handle shifter,
what would be a good compact, inexpensive and easily installed shifter?
Most aftermarket shifters seem to take up a big footprint and stick up from the floor way too much...

 

I was able to find, after a LONG search, the shifter made by Total Performance. I used one in my old T Bucket. What makes it unique, is that it's low to the floor and the handle is on the right side of the transmission. "Mountainman", on the Tbucketeers website found a link on Ebay amd I scooped it up.



Here it is with a black shift knob in my old T Bucket. It was low and out of the way. Also, no one ever kicked it by accident.

 

Thought this was an interesting push button shift:
http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1958-Edsel-Touchshift.jpg

 

Here it is, still in the original TP bag.


I really love this shifter.

 

Cool! What car is that from?

 

1958 Edesl

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.c...vers-through-the-years/1958-edsel-touchshift/

 

I have one that I bought from a swap meet.....looks like a Muncie 4 spd shifter,short,and has the T-bar like a Muncie to lock out reverse & park but with a black plastic knob that I figured I'd change to a chrome ball.Thought it was from an early seventy's Monza , but can't find any pics of one like it.
I'd take a pic, but it's buried in the garage and would take about a week to dig out

 

Nice!
That is a great answer to the requirements of a T.
So to continue the 'interior' theme, what about gas pedals and brake pedals.
Both need to be sized appropriately (small) and fit the builders theme.
The 'spoon' style gas pedal is common, along with the round brake pad.
Any pics of others that may work as well?

 

I've found that a a spoon for the gas and a slightly larger size pad for the brake works good. In my first T Bucket, the gas peddle was kind of large and round. About 3.5". The brake peddle from TP was about 2"x3" and that's what I used. Now, TP's manual said to bend the brake arm a couple inches to the right, so the arm and peddle would clear the steering column that mounted to the floor. That's what I did and I had to mount the brake peddle long ways. Space between the pedals was small.

Well, I have big feet. Lke size 12 big. So, I wore sneakers instead of boots and the closeness of the peddles was still a problem. That's when I switched to a spoon gas peddle and all was good.

CCR's steering column is meant to go through the lower part of the firewall. So, I won't have to bend the brake arm. I have installed this brake peddle pad from Speedway. It's 3" wide and it was $20:



For the gas peddle set up, I'm going with the adjustable spoon type:


The pad is 1.5", it matches the brake peddle and the assembly is only $30. But I think I may have enough room for this gas peddle set up, which I actually prefer. The pad is 2"x4.5" and $60.

 

Bullet proof glass Huh!

 

I just spoke with a tech at CCR and got the distance from the frame kickup to the seat crossbar in their interior. It's 16 3/8" - 16 1/2" from the kick base/floor inside the body to the center of the tube and it's 4 3/4" - 5" off the floor to the top of the cross tube. This would have caused a problem with the seats I'm currently planning to use because they are 18" front to back.

So, he sent me a pic of a crossbar setup with a hoop in the front that extends outward. (that interior is for another body, NOT mine)



He told me my body will ship Tuesday (they're closed Monday) and he's going to supply the hooped crossbar whether I need it or not, as a freebie! That hooped crossbar will give me more room to work with my seats, if I need it. He also suggested I not mount the seats to the floor, "as it's not as comfortable as I imagine it to be."

 

Another option for the crossbar assembly. This is a crossbar they made for those expensive leather seats. It's square tubing without the top bar and a corner gusset added to maintain the strength of the structure. It also looks like the seats are about 2" off the floor, which is what I'm shooting for.

 

Fred, it's a shame you couldn't take a couple days off and fly out there and pick their brains on this stuff while looking at the parts. They have "been there, done that' on so many things.
I agree that sitting flat on the floor is uncomfortable, even with the seat bottom tilted. Try sitting on the ground with your butt the same height as your heels. It gets tired after a short time. Having even an inch or two under your butt makes a difference.
I went back to that figure I posted on ergonomics on page 9 and the big guy had 4" seat bottom height at the back. Too much for a T, but once you have the body at your place and can try out the seats with some plywood shims to raise as needed, you WILL make it the best compromise possible.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJOVXln2isw/TgcyNJhNHEI/AAAAAAAAAAw/Vy7XsJXJXZY/s1600/Picture4.jpg

 

Keep looking at different uses too.
I found this picture and followed it to a Land Cruiser forum talking about rear seating.

It even tumbles and folds up.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/long-jump-seats-short-jump-seats-or-bench-seat.240132/
Post #16.
They mention Suzuki sidekick seats there, another small, narrow short seating application.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/372131569813?vectorid=229466&item=372131569813&rmvSB=true

I still think that you can make a custom fitted seat that would look and fit better, but perhaps one of these from a junkyard could provide the raw framework to start yours.

 

I've been thinking about that today. I'm just going to let the body show up and go from there. I'm so tired of changing my mind. There are a lot more seat options than I first thought.

I'm down to these two. I'll either use Rotten Leonards frames to make a bench or buy 2 Empi Low Back bucket seats. My wallet says make a bench seat. I'll see what happens.

 

If I can get my car finished, I hope it has an interior that looks at least half as good as yours.

 

As for a shifter I always thought I would pick up a used 1/4 stick or short handled aftermarket shifter and mount it on the dash ,to work up to down . Mopar vans and motorhomes used something like this in the old days.Just a thought .

 

Corvair also had a dash mount shifter in various styles through the years.

 

Well, the truck got re-routed and my body won't be here until Monday. With the HAMB down and nothing going on in the other sites I frequent, I made a decision on my seat situation. Seriously, this SHOULD be it. I'm going to get Rotten Leonards side brackets at $125 shipped and make a bench seat. I went to Lowe's and bought a new jig saw, as my old one was marginal at best. While I was there, I took a look in the lumber section. They have laminated wood in the size I'll need for the base and back, at a little less than $20 each. I'll have to cut them down a little, but that was to be expected. I also have the option of getting a sheet of marine grade plywood and cutting the pieces I'll need.

The vinyl I'll need for the seats is $25 for 2 yards of material shipped. That's 54" x 72", which is way more than enough, but will allow for errors, if any. The foam I intend to use is, $45 with shipping. So, that's about $235 to do my seat. I'll order everything next week.

The decision to use a bench was storage and money. With fixed or even removable bucket seats, I'd lose that storage space underneath. With a removable bench seat, I'll have storage underneath and behind it, if I so desire. Then there's cost. The bucket seats are $425 shipped. I can do the bench for about half that. And if I take my time, which I have more of than money, I'll have the DIY satisfaction.

Also, in regards to my upholstery skills, with the material being black, most screw ups won't show. So, stand by, as I attempt to go Martha Stewart on that bitch!

 

To use a familiar quote: "go man go".

 

and of course, the others in the side bar...

 

Another delay? Gees..... Website of the freight company says it's in Houston, but when I called to get a delivery time, I'm told it'll be in Ft. Worth, Texas tonight? So, all I can do is hang in there and hope for tomorrow. What a bummer.

 

Ain't waiting fun Fred ? I had my fill of that and I'm still waiting for my final order from the chrome shop to make it's way to me. Windshield frame and posts.
Hang in there

 

Well, to ease my frustration, I ordered the rest of the supplies to make my bench seat. That'll show 'em! Hope everything gets here by this weekend, it'll make a nice project for Saturday.

 

I just got off the phone with them and it STILL hasn't gotten into Ft. Worth, Texas yet. They're closed the next 2 days for the holiday, so it may not get into Houston, until Monday. THEN, it'll have to be dispatched out for delivery, which is beginning to look like Tuesday. I have no idea how these son of a bitches are in business, doing it like this. I have a lot of questions with NO answers. Like, why ship something like this by train? Why haven't I at least gotten an email or phone call of the delay? That alone would have been good enough for me.

 

Well, after posting that bit of frustration, the material for my seat just showed up. It looks great and I'll order more for my side panels when the gawd damn body gets here and I can get some measurements. It's got a little "give" to it, so it should be easy to work with.

 

Got shipping notices from Rotten Leonard and the Foam Factory. So, my bench seat frames and foam should get here Wednesday of next week.

 

Read your posts here and in the Ugly thread.
Please have a video/still camera and lighting ready when the body gets there. Don't sign anything until it's fully inspected! Document the condition thoroughly in case this turns ugly.
I'd also mention to CCR that a bunch of people are following this and that they may want to rethink their choice of shippers.
While everyone is price conscious, most are willing to spend a few bucks more to get the service as described, instead of over-promise and under-deliver!