The Ford Barn

ford nut · 06-30-2023, 09:14 PM

i'm finally fitting my seat in my 36 and i just don't fit. this is my first to be able to sit in it since i bought the project,2018 stock seat. stock column, 46 wheel. came with the project. with the seat all the way back, my guts on the wheel. has anyone re-located the seat tracts? the floor is not flat, so not real easy, tell me how to get me in there better!

TagMan · 06-30-2023, 09:33 PM

I had to move the seat back 3" or 4" on my '36 3W. Just placed the tracks where I wanted them, laid out & drilled new holes. I had to make a spacer for the front hole on each side. I'll get a picture tomorrow for you.
-Bob

ford nut · 06-30-2023, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TagMan

I had to move the seat back 3" or 4" on my '36 3W. Just placed the tracks where I wanted them, laid out & drilled new holes. I had to make a spacer for the front hole on each side. I'll get a picture tomorrow for you.
-Bob

okay, i would love to see what you did, thanks, kurt.

tubman · 06-30-2023, 10:52 PM

I think those old coupes are just "tight". About 1995, I built the car of my dreams, a '36 3-window with a 276" Merc, a '39 box and '39 hydraulic brakes. After I was finished, I found it had two problems. First, the engine had too much power for the rest of the drive train, and second, it was very cramped inside, I ended up selling it about 5 years later when a local guy made me the proverbial "offer I couldn't refuse". "TagMan"'s comment is very interesting, as I considered moving the seat back, but since the upholstery was already done, there was no room without redoing it. Hopefully, you haven't had it upholstered yet, so you can do it right.

At the time, I was 5' 11" 235, so I wasn't that large

, but the car was just too cramped for me. The odd thing is that I never regretted selling it. I had bought it to replace my '51 club coupe (which I still have).

ford nut · 07-01-2023, 07:53 AM

mine has no real interior yet other than the seat. so l can drill, add brackets. i think i need to go back 3-1/2 to 4 inch's. hopefully any new holes will miss the floor ribs.

tubman · 07-01-2023, 08:32 AM

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Unless you are quite small, I would highly recommend it. Now is the time. These vehicles are all small inside. I have a friend with a nice '36 Dodge pickup. I can barely fit in the passenger seat and it would be very difficult for me to drive.

sugarmaker · 07-01-2023, 08:55 AM

Sounds like a good suggestion to be able to relocate the seat to the rear.
My 32 truck is cramped. I had 2 inches take out out the back seat springs and same from the cushion springs..
Still tight. Just were made for folks about 5'6" I think??
At 6'-2" and 210 I would not want to drive far.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl
We need pictures!

rustythumb · 07-01-2023, 03:51 PM

i'm only 5'9"",but my '36 3-window seat was too close. i narrowed the package tray 4" & moved the tracks back the same. it was not hard to do. ( i only needed 3" but added a little more in case a taller person wanted to drive it! )

ford nut · 07-01-2023, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustythumb

i'm only 5'9"",but my '36 3-window seat was too close. i narrowed the package tray 4" & moved the tracks back the same. it was not hard to do. ( i only needed 3" but added a little more in case a taller person wanted to drive it! )

i've got it apart, i'm going to lay it out for 4 inchs. i'm 6 foot tall and was very surprised how tight it was.

TagMan · 07-01-2023, 05:03 PM

Here's a pic of the spacer I made to place under the seat track(s).

Seat Risers and Adjustor Mech Pass side outer by TagMan, on Flickr

Krylon32 · 07-01-2023, 05:04 PM

When I acquired my finished 40 standard coupe I immediately knew I had problem. I made some changes to the steering and changed the stock standard seat to a split back deluxe seat but fit and comfort was a problem. My upholsterer designed and I fabricated some brackets which bolted to the stock tracks on the seat and to the stock mounting holes on the floor, moving the seat back almost 4 inches. That change did require shortening the package tray which wasn't a big deal as we were redoing most of the interior in leather. Not only was the new seat much more comfortable with the new upholstery but with the seat set back I could drive all day.

ford nut · 07-01-2023, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TagMan

Here's a pic of the spacer I made to place under the seat track(s).

Seat Risers and Adjustor Mech Pass side outer by TagMan, on Flickr

very interesting. it being black, it's hard to see what you did exactly. is it a fabbed up box of sheet metal, a solid block of aluminum? chrome plated seat tracks? looks like you spent some coin on that car. mine are just powder coated black. thanks for posting the picture for me.

ford nut · 07-01-2023, 06:01 PM

[QUOTE=Krylon32;2237187 Not only was the new seat much more comfortable with the new upholstery but with the seat set back I could drive all day.[/QUOTE] hey! thats what i want too! the seat is just about out so i can stare at it. al least that part is still free.

cadillac512 · 07-01-2023, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford nut

very interesting. it being black, it's hard to see what you did exactly. is it a fabbed up box of sheet metal, a solid block of aluminum? chrome plated seat tracks? looks like you spent some coin on that car. mine are just powder coated black. thanks for posting the picture for me.

I wonder if it could be made from a good block of wood?

Terry

Flathead Fever · 07-01-2023, 07:28 PM

You should try getting into the stock '29 Model A Roadster I bought. I took the calipers to my tire wheel balancer that measures the rim widths and measured my thickness. I'm wider than the space between the steering wheel and quarter panel. Id be happy to just to be able to get to the seat. Pre-microwaves, people were a little thinner back then, like Johnny Ryan with his '32 roadster in 1947.

Krylon32 · 07-01-2023, 08:06 PM

Just traded for a 32 Ford pickup. Quite a squeeze for a 78 year old fat boy. Wonder what the average adult height was in 1932. I suppose Henry was saving in materials by making the cab so small.

Gary Tosel · 07-01-2023, 09:21 PM

Ford Nut if you move the seat back you probably already know that the package tray will also need to be modified for the extra room.

ford nut · 07-01-2023, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Tosel

Ford Nut if you move the seat back you probably already know that the package tray will also need to be modified for the extra room.

yep. thats okay. looks to be doug fir and has de-laminated plys. at this point. only good for a pattern maybe. i won't toss it till the end of the project. i'll re-make it in 3/8" baltic birch.

TagMan · 07-01-2023, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford nut

very interesting. it being black, it's hard to see what you did exactly. is it a fabbed up box of sheet metal, a solid block of aluminum? chrome plated seat tracks? looks like you spent some coin on that car. mine are just powder coated black. thanks for posting the picture for me.

No, not chromed. I had an opportunity to get a five gallon bucket of small parts nickel plated for $50. Couldn't turn it down.

The blocks were made of hardwood, not aluminum and were painted black. Forgot I wound up using wood after considering aluminum.

ford nut · 07-01-2023, 10:52 PM

i'm making the parts right now out of 3/16 x 1-3/6 strap i had. i'm setting the spacing at 3-7/8 back as thats the spacing of two of the holes and i can then re-use one of the holes. i have some 1-1/4"rock-maple i may make the filler piece out of. that wood wears like aluminum. we'll see. if it's not a big ugly mess, i'll post a picture for the next guy who has to deal with this surprise.

06-30-2023, 09:14 PM	#1
ford nut Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: rosemead ca. Posts: 574	36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? i'm finally fitting my seat in my 36 and i just don't fit. this is my first to be able to sit in it since i bought the project,2018 stock seat. stock column, 46 wheel. came with the project. with the seat all the way back, my guts on the wheel. has anyone re-located the seat tracts? the floor is not flat, so not real easy, tell me how to get me in there better!

06-30-2023, 09:33 PM	#2
TagMan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Alvaton, Kentucky, USA Posts: 955	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? I had to move the seat back 3" or 4" on my '36 3W. Just placed the tracks where I wanted them, laid out & drilled new holes. I had to make a spacer for the front hole on each side. I'll get a picture tomorrow for you. -Bob

06-30-2023, 10:52 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? I think those old coupes are just "tight". About 1995, I built the car of my dreams, a '36 3-window with a 276" Merc, a '39 box and '39 hydraulic brakes. After I was finished, I found it had two problems. First, the engine had too much power for the rest of the drive train, and second, it was very cramped inside, I ended up selling it about 5 years later when a local guy made me the proverbial "offer I couldn't refuse". "TagMan"'s comment is very interesting, as I considered moving the seat back, but since the upholstery was already done, there was no room without redoing it. Hopefully, you haven't had it upholstered yet, so you can do it right. At the time, I was 5' 11" 235, so I wasn't that large, but the car was just too cramped for me. The odd thing is that I never regretted selling it. I had bought it to replace my '51 club coupe (which I still have).

07-01-2023, 07:53 AM	#5
ford nut Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: rosemead ca. Posts: 574	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? mine has no real interior yet other than the seat. so l can drill, add brackets. i think i need to go back 3-1/2 to 4 inch's. hopefully any new holes will miss the floor ribs.

07-01-2023, 08:32 AM	#6
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Unless you are quite small, I would highly recommend it. Now is the time. These vehicles are all small inside. I have a friend with a nice '36 Dodge pickup. I can barely fit in the passenger seat and it would be very difficult for me to drive.

07-01-2023, 08:55 AM	#7
sugarmaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Albion PA Posts: 1,677	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? Sounds like a good suggestion to be able to relocate the seat to the rear. My 32 truck is cramped. I had 2 inches take out out the back seat springs and same from the cushion springs.. Still tight. Just were made for folks about 5'6" I think?? At 6'-2" and 210 I would not want to drive far. Regards, Chris and Cheryl We need pictures! __________________ 1932 AAB Truck 1953 Ford Jubilee 2015 Ford F250 SuperCrew Lots of Allis tractors Some Cub Cadets

07-01-2023, 03:51 PM	#8
rustythumb Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: orange co. ca. Posts: 178	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? i'm only 5'9"",but my '36 3-window seat was too close. i narrowed the package tray 4" & moved the tracks back the same. it was not hard to do. ( i only needed 3" but added a little more in case a taller person wanted to drive it! )

07-01-2023, 05:03 PM	#10
TagMan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Alvaton, Kentucky, USA Posts: 955	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? Here's a pic of the spacer I made to place under the seat track(s). Seat Risers and Adjustor Mech Pass side outer by TagMan, on Flickr

07-01-2023, 05:04 PM	#11
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? When I acquired my finished 40 standard coupe I immediately knew I had problem. I made some changes to the steering and changed the stock standard seat to a split back deluxe seat but fit and comfort was a problem. My upholsterer designed and I fabricated some brackets which bolted to the stock tracks on the seat and to the stock mounting holes on the floor, moving the seat back almost 4 inches. That change did require shortening the package tray which wasn't a big deal as we were redoing most of the interior in leather. Not only was the new seat much more comfortable with the new upholstery but with the seat set back I could drive all day.

07-01-2023, 06:01 PM	#13
ford nut Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: rosemead ca. Posts: 574	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? [QUOTE=Krylon32;2237187 Not only was the new seat much more comfortable with the new upholstery but with the seat set back I could drive all day.[/QUOTE] hey! thats what i want too! the seat is just about out so i can stare at it. al least that part is still free.

07-01-2023, 08:06 PM	#16
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? Just traded for a 32 Ford pickup. Quite a squeeze for a 78 year old fat boy. Wonder what the average adult height was in 1932. I suppose Henry was saving in materials by making the cab so small.

07-01-2023, 09:21 PM	#17
Gary Tosel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,138	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? Ford Nut if you move the seat back you probably already know that the package tray will also need to be modified for the extra room.

07-01-2023, 10:52 PM	#20
ford nut Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: rosemead ca. Posts: 574	Re: 36 5-wcoupe, seat too close to wheel? i'm making the parts right now out of 3/16 x 1-3/6 strap i had. i'm setting the spacing at 3-7/8 back as thats the spacing of two of the holes and i can then re-use one of the holes. i have some 1-1/4"rock-maple i may make the filler piece out of. that wood wears like aluminum. we'll see. if it's not a big ugly mess, i'll post a picture for the next guy who has to deal with this surprise.