from bench to buckets

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phaelax

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Used procar seats and brackets from summit. While I had the seats out I decided to clean up the metal and lay down some kilmat and put in new carpet. The killmat took more time than adding the seats. I didn't take pics of the metal plates that were used to reinforce the bolt holes but they're maybe 4x4" blocks maybe 3/8" thick. It says to reuse your existing seatbolts but that doesn't really work when you need 8 bolts and the bench only used 4.... You will need to drill 2 new holes for each seat brackets, they'll line up to the holes already in place from the bench. There are subtle dimples in the floor where you can drill the holes and keep things lined up.

I like the looks much better over the bench, but sadly the bench was more comfortable. Unfortunately I'm not liking the seats I got. They're smaller than I expected, at 6' 230 I don't think anyone bigger would be able to sit in them comfortably. The seats also feel like I'm leaning towards the center, so I may have to add another strip of metal under one side of the seats to act as a shim. (i can hide that under the carpet). The carpet I found to be a poor fitment and didn't include a built-in grommet for the high-beams like the site advertised but that's another rant.

Overall I have mixed feelings about the conversion. Maybe if I bought different seats I'd be happier. Or maybe once I bolt the seatbelts back in I'll stay in the seat better, I don't know. Next step is to add a center console (thanks to 1500swinger) and make that shifter fit into it

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Used procar seats and brackets from summit. While I had the seats out I decided to clean up the metal and lay down some kilmat and put in new carpet. The killmat took more time than adding the seats. I didn't take pics of the metal plates that were used to reinforce the bolt holes but they're maybe 4x4" blocks maybe 3/8" thick. It says to reuse your existing seatbolts but that doesn't really work when you need 8 bolts and the bench only used 4.... You will need to drill 2 new holes for each seat brackets, they'll line up to the holes already in place from the bench. There are subtle dimples in the floor where you can drill the holes and keep things lined up.

I like the looks much better over the bench, but sadly the bench was more comfortable. Unfortunately I'm not liking the seats I got. They're smaller than I expected, at 6' 230 I don't think anyone bigger would be able to sit in them comfortably. The seats also feel like I'm leaning towards the center, so I may have to add another strip of metal under one side of the seats to act as a shim. (i can hide that under the carpet). The carpet I found to be a poor fitment and didn't include a built-in grommet for the high-beams like the site advertised but that's another rant.

Overall I have mixed feelings about the conversion. Maybe if I bought different seats I'd be happier. Or maybe once I bolt the seatbelts back in I'll stay in the seat better, I don't know. Next step is to add a center console (thanks to 1500swinger) and make that shifter fit into it

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Isn’t that so much fun?
Looks like you are doing a nice job

These are BMW 3 series 11 way adjustable Recaro's that I had recovered in two tone.
The BMW has totally flat floors, so custom brackets with spacers on the corners were needed.
My Brother and I built the brackets.
The bolsters were a must to me.
IMG_5218.jpeg
 
Recaro seats were actually my first choice (I miss my 3-series bmw), but the cost was about twice as much plus as you said the work of custom brackets would be required. I do wish I spent just a bit more money and got seats with the bolsters
 
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My BMW seats. Your seats look really great like they were made for the car. Nice instillation your carpet looks amazing. Where did it come from
 
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