1954 Single Bolt Huls Recliners & Cutting Lowback Seats

[valentinesr]

Huls Recliners Single Bolt Dated 1954: Cutting the frames to make it all fit and look nice…This is my question. Ive searched and looked at photos, and seen instructions.. The instructions I see are for different variants of Huls Seat Recliners..i.e Type 3 etc..but nothing on the cutting of the frames to make the recliners fit for this style of recliner. I have not seen a thread on this process as well, just threads on styles and opinions.
We all know that cutting low back seats could bring a tear to ones eye in the process, and hand carried protesting picket signs in front of ones home for others.. This is why its taking me so long to actually do it. I want to make sure its done right. Here are my detailed questions:

First the parts:

A: What is the right cut for the low back seat frames to fit this style of Huls Recliner? What is the actual distance from the cross tube down to “what point” to make that cut?

B: If I mount the Huls Recliner to the original seat frame anchor hole, and position the recliner to the position of the seat frame. I get a slight obstruction at the cross tube and single bolt mounting hole, creating interference. I see that in a few photos in the gallery that the recliner seems to have been dropped down some. But is this just a guess or was this a factory modification?

C: Is there any manufacture instructions floating around for these early recliners?

D: After the cut is made, is there suppose to be a tapered end of the seat frame; so the end could sit in the slot of the recliners? Or is the recliner suppose to sit on top of the slot?

I know some of you may reply “Sawzaw” or with just cut it and roll it, but that’s not me fellas.. I want to make sure when Im rolling down the street the back rest doesn’t fall apart.. Well any info would help..Thanks in advance..

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Valentine, Ray J Sr.
Ontario, California

[valentinesr]

Well after researching for a while and asking everyone I could about the installation process of the Huls Recliners.. Heres my step by step for cutting and installing.. I havent seen any documentation or instructions, everyone I asked was pretty much, measure ten times then cut and grind to fit.. Here you go.. 1954 Dated Huls..

Step 1: Your Early Upper Back Rest, hold back the tears... for once its all over.. you'll be okay..

Step 2: I taped the recliners to the arms that there were replacing on the upper back rest. I wouldnt recommend measuring from the existing holes where the arms mount to the nipples at the seat bottom.. What I did was drop the mounting hole just below as you can see in the photos. Doing this gives you the hole to drill through on top.. If you used the existing holes to measure, you would be trying to bolt your recliners through the cross tube, which wont work. So dropping it just a tad bit, gives you that extra to bolt through..

Step 3: Once you have got your measurement, tape it up and verify one or two more times before you make that cut.. When you do cut, try to cut below the tape, this way you can grind down to the tape.. If you cut it short you cant add on.. Scary I know.. Heres my first cuts..

Step 4: After the straight cut, your going to need to cut angles on both sides. This will cut down time for grinding, as the bottom of the huls pocket has a tapered inset. This is where your going to need your recliners at your side, and grind to fit..

Step 5: After the arms from the upper back rest fit into the huls pockets, put some sealer or some type of coating.. Or if you do this before you powder coat no need to worry... Your going to want to center punch the hole for the bolt that goes through the arm and the recliner. Mount your recliners onto your arms and center punch.. Now Im ready to drill my first hole using a small bit, working my way to the correct size..

Step 6: Time to mount them.. Set them in the arms, line up the bolt holes and insert hardware and tighten.. German Torque of course.. No need to get all buff...

Finally, install them on your ride.. Heres mine..

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Valentine, Ray J Sr.
Ontario, California

[xeno]

Now thats kool...

[Wiggy]

Good thread.
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Kevin "Wiggy"

My 58 Ghia Vert

My 51 Split 11G

My 57 Deluxe

My 56 Oval

[WrennMetallWerks]

did a set of these today... its good to see others doin them as well... thanx for sharing!!
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[valentinesr]

Thats kickass.. Thanks for adding to the thread.. Thats some good info..
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Valentine, Ray J Sr.
Ontario, California

[rlmartinez]

I am installing some Huls recliners on my 54 seats. Cut one seat already. I do have one question. I was wondering if i should weld up the opening on the cut end? I am thinking i should.
Any feed back would be appreciated.
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54 Bug
56 convertible

[rlmartinez]

Got my recliners installed.

I am not sure if mine are repos or original. One arm is different then the other 3.
Huls is pressed into the casting rather than being proud like the other 3.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
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54 Bug
56 convertible

[turbolaz]

did you guys ever find instructions for them?
im looking into installing mine soon, good thread thanks guys.
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shipping extra,paypal ok at 4% added to parts.
parts are sold as is.

[rlmartinez]

I never found any instructions. I just read all the threads and went for it.
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54 Bug
56 convertible

[Skim]

Bump for reference. My 54

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GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

[kafer53]

I've come back to this thread for some time. I have a set of these and going to tackle them for install on my early seats for my 53 zwit.
I just learned today that this little piece referenced at the top of this photo is the "extender" for the heater knob.
when using the Huls recliners & when they're installed, the inside knob close to the tunnel will strike the heater knob causing damage when you slide the seats.
this little extender for the heat knob brings it up higher out of the way of the sliding huls / knob. Great info, I didn't see anyone reply on this so just chiming in. I just learned this today, great info.
Paul
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1953 Zwitter 11C (L73)