22 replies to this topic

[rodomo]

I've got no info but a bit of a tip.
Look through the back window from a distance to make sure they are level to the car before commiting to mods.

[marko1au]

herne, just as a matter of interest and since your talking about seats and your desire to find an easier way to get in and out of your car. i was going through a catalog here in s.a. from a company in n.s.w. that has swivell cushions to put on your seat to make it easier to get out and in i suppose, they do quote ( for people with bad hips ) just a thought

mark

[rodomo]

[76lxhatch]

Herne I have put VN-VS seats into an HJ and HZ before (not sure if the VY seats are the same). The rails on the VN-VS seats are flat, however the holes are around 1/2" wider side to side in the floor pan than on the seat, and much further apart front and rear. I got around this by removing one of the spot welded spacers from the outside rail and re-welding in a suitable spot (can't remember whether I moved the front or rear one), this side used the original allen head bolts. On the inside I removed both spacers and welded some thick flat steel angle brackets to the rail which made up the height required and you can just sneak a short bolt under the edge of the rail through this bracket (which in my case was a corner chopped of some old ute corner bumperette brackets!) I realise this is a bit hard to visualise but I don't have any photos or the vehicle(s) still. If you like I can draw up a diagram though. Also note that with these seats the inside rail on the passenger seat is approx 1 inch higher to suit the asymmetrical Commodore floor pan, I got some longer bolts and put some spacers between the rail and the seat.

Now all that info above assumes that the HQ floor pan holes are the same as Torana. I suspect they are but not sure, maybe someone else can confirm?

As far as Torana floor pans and rails go, my comment as above stands. I put some aftermarket seats in my hatch, and used the universal flat rails that came with them. These rails are closer together side to side, needing larger brackets to suit the original holes in the floor but that actually makes things easier. At the front they sit almost on the floor, with a couple of flat steel tabs that are welded to the underside of the rail and have a hole for a short bolt to go into the floor pan. You could lift them a little higher than this as this is lower than factory but I found it very good as I don't hit my knees on the steering wheel any more! The original Torana rails as mentioned are curved, which makes up for the big drop in the floor pan behind the reinforcing part. With flat rails the brackets need to raise the rear of the seat to make up for this (several inches) but are otherwise a similar setup to the front. I used cut off pieces of HZ ute bumperette brackets (centre ones this time) that are a U shape of sorts with two feet so that the seat is supported both sides of each rail, only the outside feet bolt to the floor.

I can't find any pics of the Torana on my computer either, but will take some in the morning if you like. I hope you can follow at least some of my gobbledygook.

[76lxhatch]

Try this. Photos are of crummy Monza seats in my hatch - first pic is outside of driver's seat looking back at the front bracket:



This one is also outside of driver's seat looking forward at the rear bracket:



You could probably make something nicer, I just used pieces of old bumper bar brackets as they were lying around and certainly fit the bill for over-engineering. The inside brackets are exactly the same (except mirrored), the seat is centred over the original holes in the floor pan.

Here is my diagram of how I adapted the VN-VS seats to HQ-WB (a bit higher res so hopefully you can read it):

https://cache.gmh-to...8comp/seats.jpg

[76lxhatch]

Glad I could help, I'll be keeping an eye out on your thread to see what you come up with

[76lxhatch]

They say that if you don't hear any good stories by lunchtime you should make one up...

[myss427]

Hey herne, Craig has just put VE seats into his hatch. The tinyest of mods needed, a little welding and 1 drill hole to each seat and they bolt up to the existing floor holes. Took him a couple of hours total and that includes all the electrics the seats have. Im sure your bases are similar.

[micklx]

Hey herne, Craig has just put VE seats into his hatch. The tinyest of mods needed, a little welding and 1 drill hole to each seat and they bolt up to the existing floor holes. Took him a couple of hours total and that includes all the electrics the seats have. Im sure your bases are similar.

What happens to the side airbags in a case like this?

[76lxhatch]

Some (don't know if all) models definitely had side airbags

edit: if you bought them from someone who half knew what they were doing, they are probably already disabled (like steering wheel ones are supposed to be)

Edited by 76lxhatch, 19 February 2009 - 06:06 AM.