Project Frog Princess
Finally got a little time get the rear seat in the frog. Lots of pics to entertain everyone.
First off the back is too tall. I started by slicing open the tunnel just to see if it was feasible at all. It will get welded shut. Even dropped as far as possible the back will sit above the package tray but I decided this is OK. I'll make a filler piece when I upholster the package tray.
I reinforced the seat back frame so I could cut out the area hitting the tunnel.
I drilled holes for the bolts securing the upper, and sliced off the locating "pins".
Retainers were fabricated in simple fashion to fit the clips on the bottom of the seat. To locate them on the floor, I placed them in the clips and marked with a sharpie. Then I cut slots in flat metal and used the slots to locate them to the marks while tack welding. The slots helped hold the retainers while welding them in place.
The base needed modification to accommodate the lowered back. The vertical filler sections were trimmed. The wire support in the center was retained and bent back to maintain support. This wire ties the sides together. The wires in the side sections were snipped out since this did not weaken the base structure. The electric knife is the ticket for a smooth cut through foam.
To take up the slack after removing foam, I used lacing with some denim pieces sewn in for reinforcement.
The retaining clips function better than I could have hoped for - perfect. They pop up with a firm tug. That was a nice surprise. I tacked them down half expecting to have to move them.
It was a fair job to do but I'm pleased with the final result. I always like an excuse to weld.
Not sure yet if I'll use the rear headrests.
Finally got a little time get the rear seat in the frog. Lots of pics to entertain everyone.
First off the back is too tall. I started by slicing open the tunnel just to see if it was feasible at all. It will get welded shut. Even dropped as far as possible the back will sit above the package tray but I decided this is OK. I'll make a filler piece when I upholster the package tray.
I reinforced the seat back frame so I could cut out the area hitting the tunnel.
I drilled holes for the bolts securing the upper, and sliced off the locating "pins".
Retainers were fabricated in simple fashion to fit the clips on the bottom of the seat. To locate them on the floor, I placed them in the clips and marked with a sharpie. Then I cut slots in flat metal and used the slots to locate them to the marks while tack welding. The slots helped hold the retainers while welding them in place.
The base needed modification to accommodate the lowered back. The vertical filler sections were trimmed. The wire support in the center was retained and bent back to maintain support. This wire ties the sides together. The wires in the side sections were snipped out since this did not weaken the base structure. The electric knife is the ticket for a smooth cut through foam.
To take up the slack after removing foam, I used lacing with some denim pieces sewn in for reinforcement.
The retaining clips function better than I could have hoped for - perfect. They pop up with a firm tug. That was a nice surprise. I tacked them down half expecting to have to move them.
It was a fair job to do but I'm pleased with the final result. I always like an excuse to weld.
Not sure yet if I'll use the rear headrests.
