The Ford Barn

denver9 · 10-27-2014, 05:26 PM

Some previous owner apparently moved the front seat track forward on my 1931, four door slant window sedan. Even with the seat slid all the way back it is still difficult to get out of the front seat due to the limited room between the seat and the door frame.
I can see what I think are the bolts that hold the upper slide to the bottom of the seat, but cannot locate the bolts that attach the whole assembly to the floorboard.
I would like to move the whole track back three or four inches. I am a fairly short person with small feet and still find it difficult to get out of the car. I am sure Henry didn't design it that way.
Any clues as to how to remove the seat track would be most appreciated.

Tom Wesenberg · 10-27-2014, 06:38 PM

You'd be surprised at how little room Henry gave us for the feet to fit through.

What is the distance you have with the seat all the way back? Hopefully someone with the same model will give their dimension also.

Jim/GA · 10-27-2014, 07:37 PM

You do not need to move the seat tracks back.

You need to remove the bottom seat cushion.

Make a note of where and how the big spring is attached to the sliding part of the seat and the fixed part of the car. Now disconnect one end of the big spring.

Remove the 4 screws holding the seat latch to the floor. Slide the latch back so that the 2 screw holes in the front of the latch line up with the rear 2 holes in the body. Put those 2 screws in. Put the other 2 screws in the empty holes where the front of the latch used to be attached.

Reconnect the big spring like you found it.

Put the seat cushion back in and you are done. You now have 4" more room to get in and out when the seat is back.

You partly block the rear doors when you do this, so you may need to get in and slide the seat forward to make it easier for people to get into the back. Then slide the seat back after they are in.

Hope this helps.

denver9 · 10-27-2014, 10:31 PM

Thanks Jim,
That sounds like an easy remedy. Will do that tomorrow.
While waiting for a reply to my post, I removed the seat frame from the sliding part of the track and moved it back to the next set of holes. that left me with only 3 screws on each side instead of 4. Also I would have had to shorten the spring you referred to. I like your idea better. thanks again
When you moved the seat latch did you drill 2 new holes so you would still have 4 bolts holding the latch or is there even room to do that?
-Denver

Jim/GA · 10-27-2014, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denver9

When you moved the seat latch did you drill 2 new holes so you would still have 4 bolts holding the latch or is there even room to do that?
-Denver

There is no place for 2 more holes.

You will see that when you do it.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 10-28-2014, 08:42 AM

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Jim, did you do that on your Slant? The reason I asked is we recently tried that on a S/W Sedan (-you know the car) and it was bending the floor pan when we rocked the seat. Next time we talk, let's chat about that a bit.

Jim/GA · 10-28-2014, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Jim, did you do that on your Slant? The reason I asked is we recently tried that on a S/W Sedan (-you know the car) and it was bending the floor pan when we rocked the seat. Next time we talk, let's chat about that a bit.

Yes, I did. I will admit, I never looked at the floor pan while rocking my seat.

(Maybe I should!)

10-27-2014, 05:26 PM	#1
denver9 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hemet, Ca Posts: 55	Front seat removal, 31 slant window, 4 door Some previous owner apparently moved the front seat track forward on my 1931, four door slant window sedan. Even with the seat slid all the way back it is still difficult to get out of the front seat due to the limited room between the seat and the door frame. I can see what I think are the bolts that hold the upper slide to the bottom of the seat, but cannot locate the bolts that attach the whole assembly to the floorboard. I would like to move the whole track back three or four inches. I am a fairly short person with small feet and still find it difficult to get out of the car. I am sure Henry didn't design it that way. Any clues as to how to remove the seat track would be most appreciated.

10-27-2014, 06:38 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Front seat removal, 31 slant window, 4 door You'd be surprised at how little room Henry gave us for the feet to fit through. What is the distance you have with the seat all the way back? Hopefully someone with the same model will give their dimension also.

10-27-2014, 07:37 PM	#3
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,821	Re: Front seat removal, 31 slant window, 4 door You do not need to move the seat tracks back. You need to remove the bottom seat cushion. Make a note of where and how the big spring is attached to the sliding part of the seat and the fixed part of the car. Now disconnect one end of the big spring. Remove the 4 screws holding the seat latch to the floor. Slide the latch back so that the 2 screw holes in the front of the latch line up with the rear 2 holes in the body. Put those 2 screws in. Put the other 2 screws in the empty holes where the front of the latch used to be attached. Reconnect the big spring like you found it. Put the seat cushion back in and you are done. You now have 4" more room to get in and out when the seat is back. You partly block the rear doors when you do this, so you may need to get in and slide the seat forward to make it easier for people to get into the back. Then slide the seat back after they are in. Hope this helps. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

10-27-2014, 10:31 PM	#4
denver9 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hemet, Ca Posts: 55	Re: Front seat removal, 31 slant window, 4 door Thanks Jim, That sounds like an easy remedy. Will do that tomorrow. While waiting for a reply to my post, I removed the seat frame from the sliding part of the track and moved it back to the next set of holes. that left me with only 3 screws on each side instead of 4. Also I would have had to shorten the spring you referred to. I like your idea better. thanks again When you moved the seat latch did you drill 2 new holes so you would still have 4 bolts holding the latch or is there even room to do that? -Denver Last edited by denver9; 10-27-2014 at 10:33 PM. Reason: clarification

10-28-2014, 08:42 AM	#6
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,521	Re: Front seat removal, 31 slant window, 4 door Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jim, did you do that on your Slant? The reason I asked is we recently tried that on a S/W Sedan (-you know the car) and it was bending the floor pan when we rocked the seat. Next time we talk, let's chat about that a bit. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .