The Ford Barn

cmmahurin · 02-12-2013, 03:27 PM

I recently purchased a 1929 4 door leatherback. It's a great car and it was restored very nicely. Here is my stupid question: Is there a practical way to get more leg room in the front seat part of my car? The front seat is connected to the center post and the post is too far forward. There is no seat adjustment. Thus it is a challenge getting in and out of the car and the door and seat upholstery gets worn each time I get in and out. Then when driving my legs are kind of cramped in. I am only 5 ft.-10 inches tall. I know that in 1929 men were shorter but I just thought I'd ask if there is a solution other than surgery on my legs.

700rpm · 02-12-2013, 03:45 PM

Nope. No adjustment. You're gonna have to take two inches out of your legs. But it'll be worth it in the long run if you plan to keep your car and drive it.

CarlG · 02-12-2013, 04:07 PM

Just be grateful that you don't have a pickup

Bill in Al · 02-12-2013, 04:20 PM

Ain't no such thing as a stupid question. Just watch out for some of the answers though!!

700rpm · 02-12-2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill in Al

Ain't no such thing as a stupid question. Just watch out for some of the answers though!!

That's a good 'un, Bill!

JBill · 02-12-2013, 05:17 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I've read here of some folks taking some padding out of the back cushion on the front seat, but don't know if that's possible with your model. Others will know. Not a dumb question at all. The size of modern drivers--ahem, particularly healthy modern drivers--is often a problem. Our forbears were apparently a bunch of short, skinny people.

hbrandon · 02-12-2013, 05:25 PM

had the same problem. not hard to remedy. my name is hugh, give me a call at 770-961-6447

lefty · 02-12-2013, 05:29 PM

I have a 28 fordor and moved the seat back. What I did was to take the seat apart and removed all the screws that holds the metal seat back. I then straighten the flange that goes on the front of the door post and attached it to the inside of the post. Then move the bottom of the seat,drill some new holes and put screws in there just before the floor slope down. The seat sides will need to be lowered and shortened to match the seat. The bottom seat will just move back on the seat platform and all you have to do to them is to move the front blocks. this will give you about 1 1/2" more leg room. I'm 6'2" and it worked for me. Good luck

Terry, NJ · 02-12-2013, 05:46 PM

Which brings us to another "stupid" question. How come you 4dr leather back doesn't have an adjustable seat? Just how were these adjustable seats distributed? My Town Sedan has one, I'm working on it now. Were they a option, or did certain models get them and certain models did not?
Terry

Rock Hornbuckle · 02-12-2013, 08:42 PM

Hire a short chauffeur, then you can ride in the back seat, and drink a cold one.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-12-2013, 08:59 PM

Here's a fix for a coupe, It would work in a pickup also. Bill W.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-12-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock Hornbuckle

Hire a short chauffeur, then you can ride in the back seat, and drink a cold one.

Great idea, Rock, if the SHOT, I mean, SHORT chauffeur can't reach the pilot wheel, I have in my grubby hands, a 1 1/2" steering column DROP block, OOPS! I just dropped it! Bill W.

FordMike · 02-12-2013, 09:57 PM

Why not just take the seat out and move it back a little. It shouldn't matter to you if you take up some of the leg room for the back seat. After all who cares you aren't sitting back there!

wnovinge · 02-12-2013, 09:59 PM

Bill,

Where did the swivel seats come from? An RV? A bar stool?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-12-2013, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnovinge

Bill,

Where did the swivel seats come from? An RV? A bar stool?

I searched for replacement bar stool parts and found these. Very reasonable price. They didn't have the swivels, I guess drunks & swivels don't do well. I got the swivels from Bass Pro Shops. Yes, they lock! They fit the built in nuts in the seats PERFECTLY. Son, Gregg, is 6' 6 1/2" and fits in the car well now. Gained some headroom also & EASY to get in & out. By the way, nothing was altered on the car & can be changed back to stock in 10 minutes! (If we pee first!) Bill W.

Cool Hand Lurker · 02-13-2013, 04:38 PM

There is no such thing as a stupid question. But don't ask a question like that again!
JUST KIDDING!

How short or tall you are may not be the problem as to how you fit. My son and I are the same overall height but he has longer legs and my height is more above the hips with shorter legs. He got his Grampa's genes in his legs. I have trouble riding in the coupe because my head hits the headliner, but he has plenty of clearance.

02-12-2013, 03:27 PM	#1
cmmahurin Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 104	Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . I recently purchased a 1929 4 door leatherback. It's a great car and it was restored very nicely. Here is my stupid question: Is there a practical way to get more leg room in the front seat part of my car? The front seat is connected to the center post and the post is too far forward. There is no seat adjustment. Thus it is a challenge getting in and out of the car and the door and seat upholstery gets worn each time I get in and out. Then when driving my legs are kind of cramped in. I am only 5 ft.-10 inches tall. I know that in 1929 men were shorter but I just thought I'd ask if there is a solution other than surgery on my legs.

02-12-2013, 03:45 PM	#2
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Nope. No adjustment. You're gonna have to take two inches out of your legs. But it'll be worth it in the long run if you plan to keep your car and drive it. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

02-12-2013, 04:07 PM	#3
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Just be grateful that you don't have a pickup __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

02-12-2013, 04:20 PM	#4
Bill in Al Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pell City (New London) Al Posts: 317	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Ain't no such thing as a stupid question. Just watch out for some of the answers though!!

02-12-2013, 05:17 PM	#6
JBill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 702	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've read here of some folks taking some padding out of the back cushion on the front seat, but don't know if that's possible with your model. Others will know. Not a dumb question at all. The size of modern drivers--ahem, particularly healthy modern drivers--is often a problem. Our forbears were apparently a bunch of short, skinny people.

02-12-2013, 05:25 PM	#7
hbrandon Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 16	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . had the same problem. not hard to remedy. my name is hugh, give me a call at 770-961-6447

02-12-2013, 05:29 PM	#8
lefty Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 4	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . I have a 28 fordor and moved the seat back. What I did was to take the seat apart and removed all the screws that holds the metal seat back. I then straighten the flange that goes on the front of the door post and attached it to the inside of the post. Then move the bottom of the seat,drill some new holes and put screws in there just before the floor slope down. The seat sides will need to be lowered and shortened to match the seat. The bottom seat will just move back on the seat platform and all you have to do to them is to move the front blocks. this will give you about 1 1/2" more leg room. I'm 6'2" and it worked for me. Good luck

02-12-2013, 05:46 PM	#9
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Which brings us to another "stupid" question. How come you 4dr leather back doesn't have an adjustable seat? Just how were these adjustable seats distributed? My Town Sedan has one, I'm working on it now. Were they a option, or did certain models get them and certain models did not? Terry

02-12-2013, 08:42 PM	#10
Rock Hornbuckle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Noxon Montana Posts: 532	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Hire a short chauffeur, then you can ride in the back seat, and drink a cold one.

02-12-2013, 09:57 PM	#13
FordMike Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tobyhanna, Pa Posts: 91	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Why not just take the seat out and move it back a little. It shouldn't matter to you if you take up some of the leg room for the back seat. After all who cares you aren't sitting back there!

02-12-2013, 09:59 PM	#14
wnovinge Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: El Cajon, CA Posts: 18	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . Bill, Where did the swivel seats come from? An RV? A bar stool?

02-13-2013, 04:38 PM	#16
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,565	Re: Probably a stupid question but her goes. . . There is no such thing as a stupid question. But don't ask a question like that again! JUST KIDDING! How short or tall you are may not be the problem as to how you fit. My son and I are the same overall height but he has longer legs and my height is more above the hips with shorter legs. He got his Grampa's genes in his legs. I have trouble riding in the coupe because my head hits the headliner, but he has plenty of clearance.