bench seat

[csmclobo]

has anyone swapped a bench seat into a festiva? if so, I'd like more info. where did the donar seat come from? I was thinking a ranger seat may be close, width wise. also, I'd have to relocate the parking brake. any thoughts?
thanks, Lobo

[qaking]

Hey Lobo! Sounds like an interesting idea!

How did the 5 speed tranny swap turn out in the old grey ghost?

[fastivaca]

There was someone who did a Festiva truck and put the rear bench in the front. I'm not sure if they had their phots on ff.com or on Cardomain.

I think it was Trucktiva.

Ian
92 GL Sport
Ian

[FB71]

ok, dude. you're on crack. but I think we can do it. we'll take some measurements tomorrow. and, I just happen to have a spare festy bench...

[qaking]

You are right it was Trucktiva! Here is his car domain site:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/505302

But none of the pictures are working :?

Try PM'ing him for the info :wink:

[FB71]

maybe a 1970's Toyota/Datsun/Isuzu/Mazda P'Up seat?

[aithanmier]

or just build one from scratch...those guys at the interior shop do it all the time on american hot rod :twisted:

[FB71]

don't tempt me.... I'm already rebuilding the stock seats for mine....

[csmclobo]

moved it to the shop today, and all 5 gears worked great. as for the smoothness of the swap, you'll have to ask jim. Still looking into a bench swap, but relpcating the p/brake may be the issue.
Lobo

[Safety Guy]

There's not a lot of room in the left footwell for a foot pedal p-brake.

My Dad's old Isuzu Trooper had a "pull it out" handbrake under the dash. You pulled out to engage and then twisted the handle and let it back in to disengage. I suppose there's not a lot of room for that either.

You could craft a rectangular hole in the middle of the bench seat I suppose.

If you move it forward you'll have to get a longer cable and probably a different actuating system.

If you get as desperate as some housewives are known to be on TV, check out cables and housings for tandem bicycles and see what you could rig up totally different. Perhaps two cables; one to each brake lever?

Karl

[aithanmier]

just look for one from another car, i'm sure there is one that will mount onto the side of the tunnel. a cable is a cable is a cable after all...

[csmclobo]

actually, I remember a set up in a van that was converted for handi cap controls. they used an electric motor, sort of like a power window motor, to pull the cable. HMMMMMMMM

[aithanmier]

so jim what exactly are you doing to your stock seats anyway? i think i'm gonna rebuild mine as well, since i like the low back seat i did, i think i'm gonna go ahead and conver the other one and then build up the side bolsters a bit and just do a little foam shaping before i recover them in tweed with ultra leather trim. i love the lowback buckets that roddoors sells but at 700 covered...i can just do it myself and spend that money elsewhere.