Thinking about moving drivers seat back

[tampabronco]

I'm 6'2 and would like a little more leg room. Gonna install my auxiliary tank soon and now is the time to move the seat back if I'm going to do it.

Any advice from those that have moved their driver seat would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[BlackMamba]

You have me curious too, I'm 6'5" and have thought about doing the same.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I'm only 5' 9" and would like to get the seat back too. The problem is most roll bars/cages will limit the seat from going back further.

 

[ScanmanSteven]

I'm 6'3'' and have gone to the extreme making our EB comfortable. I added a 1x3" tube to the bottom of the windshield to raise it. This required cutting the hinge off to attach the tube. This allows a much better view out the windshield. I also had the rollcage made to fit the extended height. I'm using Ford Explorer 2 door seats, actually installing the passenger seat today. I've had to cut down the mounts to lower the height. I moved the seats inboard a little to allow the backs to clear the rollcage. I don't have a cross bar in the way. To attach the seats without redrilling the holes I fabricated 1/4" extension plates that I welded to the seat bases and that allowed me to use the original holes.

 

[ChrisC74]

I am 6'-6" and moved mine back about 4-6", I would have to measure as it has been a while. I did this before installing new seats, building a roll cage and lining the floor. Since then I have added the tilt wheel. I really appreciate the extra leg room quite a bit.

 

[TN1776]

When I had my Bronco torn apart for floor rust repair, etc, not thinking, I welded up pretty much every hole in the floor including seat mounts (several of them had remnants of broken, rusty bolts left in them). I got rid of my original seats and bought a pair of buckets from PRP. I mounted them where they seemed the most comfortable to me (I am 6'3"). Having looked at EBs with original seats, I'd say mine are back about 3 inches. The sliders let them go forward quite a bit but really short drivers might not like my rig. I don't regret moving them.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Another way is to order a shorter column from Flaming River or IDIDIT.

 

[MR-CYN]

I just picked up a new pair of racing buckets and will be putting them in this weekend. I'm 6'2" and I was figuring with all the adjustment I'd be fne with roughly the same mounting position and then just having them pushed all the back when I drive. Does anyone know if dropping the tank is mandatory or can you cheat and just lower it a little? I just filled the damn thing up not even thinking about it.

 

[tampabronco]

Okay scanman Steven- post pics of those modifications

Those sound neat

The windshield is the only thing I don't like about my bronco. Always bending down or stretching to see over it

 

[broncoman1972]

It's funny how people look at things differently. I'm 6'3" and never had a complaint of the seating position or comfort in the EB's. I realize I have to peek down a little to see the red light if I pull up too close, but it goes with the territory and doesnt bother me. On my last EB I had stock seats and made multiple 12hr trips up the Natchez trace pulling a trailer back and never had a comfort problem. I wouldn't have changed a thing. The new EB has cage mounted Corbeau's and they seem ok too. Not knocking anyone's opinion, was just noticing the difference in what other people think.

 

[bobzilla]

6'5". I moved mine back about 4 inches. I have plenty of leg room, in fact I move it forwards a little bit

 

[Rocking Bronc66]

I'm 6' and moved my seats back 4 inches. One of my favorite mods to date!!

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah broncoman, a lot of differences not only in preference, but in how we're built individually. Seats are one of those things you just can't give advice on without saying "but try it first" when making recommendations.

I actually liked the stock seats too, but only for about a half-an-hour max. On longer trips they just killed me! I put older ('91) Mustang GT seats in and never felt that way again. Four or five hour trips were nothing. Of course, the view out the windshield was just killed after that. I'd lower them in a heartbeat, and have been contemplating cutting the floor for just that reason.

As for moving it back, I did mine about 3" or so and that was perfect. Simply drilled holes where I needed them and used my own fabricated "nut-plates" under the floor. Not necessarily the best way, but quite effective.
Used 1/4" plate, drilled and tapped, and with a nut welded on in addition. So thread engagement is the thickness of the material in addition to the nut, and the plates spread the load over a larger area than the stock ones did, so I feel pretty secure.

Time well spent under the truck in my opinion. Now, if we'd only make the Viewfinder available in mild steel too, and dip it, instead of the more expensive stainless...!

Paul