Seat height for the larger man

[Apples24]

Had a mk2 ghia before no issues

Just bought a 280 and I find the seat so high, my leg also traps a bit by the door handle

I know my mk2 seats were softer saggier but this is neigh on uncomfortable

Seat is deffo all the way back

Is there anything I can do modification wise?

And yes going on a diet after Xmas so I can enjoy summer in my new toy

[Jasonmarie]

I am a big boy well so the wifes tells me , but the window Handel I turn around so it’s fine when shut or open as ref the seats I never seem to have any problem . Best of luck with the diet I went on one years ago still waiting for it to work

[Apples24]

Lol it’s the actual door arm rest


I have read it’s because the seat bases are a lot higher on my model?

[Apples24]

[Paul G]

Being 22 stone I fear that when I get my 3.0S on the road (about 2030 with my current speed of progress!) that for me sitting in the Recaros will feel akin to sitting on a toilet seat. Must lose weight by then!

[Apples24]

Exactly

But why are they so high looks like loads room underneith

I try to upload pics but it says to large

[Fordoholic Nick]

Exactly

But why are they so high looks like loads room underneith

I try to upload pics but it says to large

Summit don't sound right here mate. Should not be 'loads of room' underneath them especially recaro seats. You can't see any aftermarket modifications previous owner might have done to raise, them for whatever reason. .????

My previous Laser the standard seats were deffo a higher fit than the fishnet recaro ones I got now but from memory the 'room underneath' was pretty much the same. The design of the recaros seats you much lower so strange you're finding such a big difference from your MK 2 Ghia.

Hope you get it sorted mate. Nothing worse than having such a car as a 280 and can't seat yourself comfortably

All the best

Nick.

Ps Just a thought but maybe someone has messed with the seat runners and fitted non standard capri ones ?? If you think this might be the case might be worth trying to get some standard runners and seeing if this helps

[Jasonmarie]

Very strange , as I don’t find a problem yes your right about the arm rest as I know people do remove them and put mini straps on to shut the doors . Also the little members on here use boosters seats perhaps the guy before was very short like Jimmy cranky and had the base lifted up ?

[Hopper]

If its like a usual UK Capri, just drive it about this winter after the gritters have been out, soon when the floor mounts collapse through the floor you should then be able to pick the seat up and reposition it where it best suits! gravity acting upon your bodymass should hold it in place.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Some years ago there was a thread about tall drivers fitting in their Capris.
It would appear that height, even for the tallest of drivers, was not a problem, but fitting their legs between the steering wheel and door was proving difficult!

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=46031&p=297750#p297750

Andrew.

[Apples24]

It’s 2.8 runners they are just higher

[Apples24]

I can’t see any reason why tho

If clearance was a issue I’d understand but plenty room there

[STEVEW]

Hi Apples 24

I think I may be able to help.
My son has a Mk3 2.3S and last year we replaced both seat runners.
One was completely naffed the other we've kept as a spare. Our runners look identical to yours however, the gap between the bottom parts of the frame, where the floor attachment lugs are and the top part to which the seat is attached, appears smaller on ours.
The problem is, photos can be deceptive.

I therefore, took some measurements of our spare.
This gap at the front of the runner is 18mm and the gap at the rear is 29mm. (I can just about push my hand in - up to the knuckles - at the middle of the runner.).
I also noted the Ford numbers stamped into the frame: "L"78EB-T62587AB 72235.

I hope this helps.


Steve

[STEVEW]

Apples,

I noticed an error with this sentence:
"the gap between the bottom parts of the frame, where the floor attachment lugs are and the top part to which the seat is attached, appears smaller on ours."

It should be, "the gap between the bottom part of the frame, which is attached to the floor and the top part, which has the seat mounting lugs appears smaller than ours."


Since writing the above I've thought of something else.
If you can weld, make up a bespoke seat frame from flat bar and angle iron, which couldn't of course be slid backwards and forwards nevertheless, it could be fabricated to suit you.

This would also make it difficult for some lowlife to steal your pride and joy because "he or she" wouldn't be able to see over the dash!

[Apples24]

Yes in mine I can clench my fist and slide that under the seat when fitted!

Sorry for long time to reply I don’t seem to get notifications

[STEVEW]

Hi Apples,

Thanks for the reply.

You say,

I can clench my fist and slide that under the seat when fitted!

So by rule of thumb you could save approximately 4.5cm in height if you go for the Ford seat runners/frames that I mentioned before.
If this is the way you choose to go and if I were you, I would go for a pair in order to lower the passenger as well.
The end result would drop the c of g and IMHO make the car feel better and safer.
I know it doesn't sound much but if you consider bringing down 150 kg a couple of centimetres that's quite some weight.

If you need to go even lower, due to your size, then, of course, the other option is to make a fixed bespoke frame. If you are not sure about this option or you can't weld yourself I have a couple of ideas of how you could do this.

All the best.

[Apples24]

I think the plan is to drop a seat to my friends and he’s going to work it out snd choo reeled it so it’s a inch atleast lower be £50 or whatever he will charge me well spent

[Vermilion]

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ak0ev910-aPVgYF_AWb ... A?e=xq2feG

You can't get lower than this unless you break the floor reinforcements.
(I Even added small piece to rise the seat, because seat is almost too wide...)

[Apples24]

Standard leather seats and frames I’m using

[Not_Anumber]

I think the Recaro seats bases are less tall than the bases of the standard Capri seats so are fitted with taller runners/ subframes to bring them up to a similar height. As others have said you could try swapping over to using standard seat runners which should reduce the height. Talk to Martin at Caprigear to see if he has a pair and if this would do the job.
Also, the Recaro seats are made quite differently which has the effect of preventing them sagging, unlike the standard Capri seats which will all tend to sag a bit after a few years.