Author |
Message |
deafen Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2006 Posts: 108
|
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject: Converting highbacks to lowbacks? |
|
|
So in my quest for seats, I've located a pair within a reasonable driving distance -- but they're highbacks, and I (read: "my wife") would really prefer lowbacks.
A year or two ago, I seem to recall coming across a website that walked through someone's adventure with converting highback seats to lowbacks. I will have to replace at least the vinyl anyway, so I'm not averse to disassembly and hacksawing.
Has anybody done this, or seen the web page I'm referring to? I can't find it now. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
J Flare Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2004 Posts: 309 Location: San Diego
|
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have highbacks and really like them. Maybe she should sit in them on a long trip first. That being said I perfer the look of lowbacks. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
guzziguy Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 190 Location: Alberta for now
|
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I converted a pair, and they turned out great, and are very comfortable. Check my gallery for pictures of the process. They are for a type 3, but should be the same for the Thing I would imagine.
A couple of things. (these tips will make sense when you start into it).
You will have to use the foam headrest, and carve it down. Use something like an electric carving knife, and do it as smooth as possible. Take a small piece of scrap foam, and glue it in the hole. Before you slip the new cover on, lay some thin foam over the top, and this will hide the hacks, and smooth the top.
I may take my backrest cover off, as you can see a little bit of lumpiness where I carved the foam. It's very rubbery, and I thought the cover would hide it better, but it hides nothing. Do a clean job the first time. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
deafen Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2006 Posts: 108
|
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
Guzziguy, thanks for the reference! I was hoping it wouldn't involve welding, though. Do you know if the Beetle highback seat frames are the same kind of design?
If it comes down to it, I can try and find some pipe that has an ID slightly larger than the seat frame pipe OD and just JB Weld it in place.
J Flare, I'm going to put the seats in as is for a while first, since they're in decent shape. We'll see how she feels about it after living with that for a while. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
guzziguy Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 190 Location: Alberta for now
|
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I would weld them personally. All it will take is one fatty, and they will spread apart. I had access to a mig welder at work. If you can't do it yourself, cut the pieces and get them ready, and a welder will tack them in in mere minutes. The steel yard I went to didn't really have that much stock that was the same size, but the 1" exhaust tubing fit pretty close. It was a bit larger OD, but I flushed it up on the top.
Beetle highback frames are indeed constructed the same way. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
warrant_nielsen Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2006 Posts: 17
|
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject: High back seats |
|
|
I installed early 70's high backs in my 74 and they are great! I got them mainly for safety reasions (too many idiots out there eating while reading a book while texting while puting on makeup while......)
__________________________
Life sucks for a Samba ‘trainee’!
1959 - Bug
1974 - Type 181 Acapulco Thing
1982 - VW Diesel Pickup
2004 – New Beetle Convertible ‘Mellow Yellow’
1966 Bug, 66-67-68 Bug Convertible, 68 Bug, 70 Bug, 72 Bay Window Camper Van.
Diesels – 80 Rabbit, 82 Rabbit, 84 Golf, 86 Jetta, 2000 Jetta ‘TDI’, 2002 Jetta ‘TDI’, 2006 Jetta ‘TDI’ … |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kherome Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2005 Posts: 138
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:01 am Post subject: Hi |
|
|
I have lowbacks in my Thing but I'd like to get highbacks. I'm too afraid of having an accident with lowbacks...it looks to me like lowbacks=broken backs in an accident. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Captain Spalding Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005 Posts: 2519 Location: . . . in denial.
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:52 am Post subject: Re: Hi |
|
|
Kherome wrote: |
I have lowbacks in my Thing but I'd like to get highbacks. I'm too afraid of having an accident with lowbacks...it looks to me like lowbacks=broken backs in an accident. |
Hi Kherome, and welcome to the clan. Why don't you send deafen a private message and offer to swap your low-back seats for his high back seats? It will save him a lot of labor cutting down the Bug seats he has a line on, and you'll have the peace of mind that you want. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kherome Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2005 Posts: 138
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:59 am Post subject: Hi |
|
|
That sounds good in theory but I am willing to bet that I am not in "reasonable" driving distance for him. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|