hiback to lowback mod

[vdub]

I was wondering if anyone has modded a hiback type 3 seat in to a lowback. I need to recover the seats anyway and I was wondering if the lowback seat covers will fit after cutting the frame.

[nik]

From what I have seen and been told, it will. You just lop off the top part and the covers should go right on. I would think that the upper half of the seat may need some sort of extra support though after it is chopped off. You also have to worry about that knob on the side of the seat for tilting the seat.
nik
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[nik]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20597&highlight=lowback
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Analyze this, Biotch!
WTD: Early "Wrap Around" dash pad

[69sqbck]

Just cut the top off and cover it with lowback covers. No need for added support. We did this on bug seats 2 years ago and they still look and support great.
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1968 Ghia Vert
1969 Type 3 Squareback
1969 Type 3 Fastback
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[vweater1]

I have a friend that did it on his 70 sqbk, But he added a piece of tubing on the rear for more support and it looks like any other lowback seat would. I say go for the cutting and get that nice lowback look.

[BryanM]

when you take it apart check out the fold forward mechanism and make it work on the lowback. Someone made lowbacks on my 69 square and did away with the pull knob, boy is it a pain in the ass to fold forward now.

[Bobnotch]

Yeah, we did this mod on both Roadsters, as the first Roadster didn't have any seats in it, and I had a couple of sets laying around. The first set we built didn't get the upper bar replaced (we tack welded the seat springs to the uprights), and it's like the earlier style framework. On those seats, I used the old covers off my 65 seats, and they fit like they belonged. The second set of seats we modified, we added the cross bar (removed from the lower part of a set of ghia seats that came with my 69 Square), and welded it in place. We left the side release on the frame, and later hooked everything up. On that set, we covered them with the ghia back rest covers. They're a little long and had 2 holes for the head rest, but worked great and matched the stock material pretty close (especially the ghia seat bottom ). We eventually swapped the seats between the 2 cars, as R-1 became more of a show car / nice looking driver, and R-2 was still under construction. I think adding the cross bar is the way to go with this mod, as it gives the seat back a little more support. I may do another set of these again in the summer for the R-2 project, as I plan on re-doing the seats in it.
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[Ambersand]

Great post! I've been seesawing betwen puting my just shy of trashed lowbacks from my parts squareback into my 69 squareback and trying to figure out a way to turn my highbacks into lowbacks...this will *hopefully* go so much faster than trying to re-do the lowbacks. They look like I fished em out of the Anacostia River....

I appreciate it!



Amber
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"I stayed up all night playing poker with tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died."

69 Squareback "Squarie"
74 Westy "Mini Mojo"

http://home.earthlink.net/~ambersand

[vdub]

[RattySquare]

[Nid]

I can almost guarantee lowbacks are more uncomfortable.

Stylish, yes, but more comfortable? No.

I drove my dad's '72 super beetle with highbacks for over a year before I bought my early '67 Beetle with lowbacks. Both were original upholstry on the seats.

I loved the feeling of the lowbacks, the way the empty passenger seat becomes an arm rest.

But the highbacks imo are more comfortable.
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[Ambersand]

Thanks for the info vdub! I am re-doing the interior black with charcoal seats....any covers better than others? All I ever hear is TMI TMI TMI...

Amber
_________________
"I stayed up all night playing poker with tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died."

69 Squareback "Squarie"
74 Westy "Mini Mojo"

http://home.earthlink.net/~ambersand

[BryanM]