installing Recaro seats

[erste]

No, they won't work with the GW brackets without a lot of modification. Those are manual recaros. The base is different than the electric ones (electric tilt for the seat base).
There's no easy way to adapt those, and if you did, it would probably be impossible to keep the tilt. If you found electric LS bases, you could bolt those seat backs to them though.
Bummer, but those are still great seats for someone with a mk2. edit - good you didn't buy them yet.
You can tell they're manual by the way the center cushion sticks out past the side bolsters on the base, and more obviously by the handle on the front corner of the seat. Center handle is for sliding them back and forth and will be there on the electric base mk2 recaros too.

[windovvsill]

[erste]

[connorsvw2]

Just installed these this weekend after much delay (needed new bolster foam and extensive rehab of drivers side seatback fabric). Used Go Westy adapters modified for these Mk2 GTI/GLI seats. The VW recaros use M8 bolts (Go Westy kit has all M6 hardware) to secure the tracks to the seat base, so I needed new 12.9 M8x30 mm bolts, washers and for the drivers side, combo steel sleeves from hardware store (1/8 and 1/2 inch by 5/16 ID) to lift up drivers seat to stock height per Go Westys instructions). Also needed to open up mounting holes in the upper track to fit the M8 bolts. Pass seat needed no lift on the swivel base I also installed.

So far very pleased with position and flexibility, as seats have infinite vernier tilt adjustment and tilt forward with a tug on the lever. I'm not sure how I'll like no armrests but hope the comfort will more than make up for this.

_________________
'85 Westy Wolfsburg camper/2002 2.5 Subaru since 2003.
'85 GTI 1.8L 1-owner 8v-gave up on 9A 2.0L 16v transplant. Keeping her stock!
'99 Passat 1.8T Variant-AKA "The Money Pit". Still limping along...
'09 Subaru Outback XT 5-speed, 245 hp rocket (wife's car)

[blockhead squarewheels]

Got my seats in, no modifications to the seat or rails at all, just made adapter brackets. Seat height is perfect, very comfortable and they look great.

The front of the rails capture an m6 nut perfectly and the rear fits an m8

[pdxleaf]

removed my aging SE Recaro seats and replaced them with Passat seats from Picknpull ($25 each on sale.) I reused the Recaro brackets, similar to the T3 pictures. Looks like the Gowesty brackets would work.

A LOT of trial and error, including cutting and making a flat bracket for attaching the Recaro style sliders. Started with a 17x 18 3/16 flat steel and shaped it to fit the outline of the seat. Had to cut off a lot of the seat hardware from the bottom to get the angle right because the seat bottom is not flat. Put seat in the DOKA, fit it, take it out, trim, back in, trim, etc. Finally welded the flat stock to the seat and installed. This is not really a how-to but intended to illustrate that it can be done if interested. Not a quick install but worth trying if you find some cheap seats.

Seat bottom is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches taller than the Recaros. I am 6.4 and have head clearance. Feels a little weird to be sitting higher but comfortable. My legs form a nice 90 degrees, which is ideal sitting height. I need to dip my head if I am the first vehicle at a stop light but other than that, clearance is good, including the steering wheel.

Just need to condition the leather now and call it good. Then start on the rear bench.

[RoryGirl]

[16CVs]

Eric

Those are the factory Vanagon headrests with the Acc VW pillows on my recovered Recaros in Multivan.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[otiswesty]

Just got a set of GoWesty Recaro slider adaptors on the way.
http://www.gowesty.com/product/retrofit-seats/21308/recaro-slider-kit

I'll post pics of fitment once they get here.
_________________
1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1988 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

[otiswesty]

[otiswesty]

Hey Erste,
Those head rest inserts are kind of funny, are they stock?
_________________
1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1988 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

[erste]

[jimf909]

GTI seats were graciously sent from the gods to comfort our underserving backsides. Enjoy!
_________________
- Jim

[16CVs]

What a great idea to cover them in OE bed material fabric and add factory armrests.
I wish I had thought of that !

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[otiswesty]

Just picked up a set like Little Hobbit Bastard for my 89 camper. These are the powered version from a similar year GTI. I plan to use the Gowesty brackets to get them mounted and eventually add T3 arm rests and recover with rear bench fabric and OG style grey vinyl.

I will probably reduce the size of the bottom seat bolsters a bit too. They seem a little high to climb in and over constantly.

_________________
1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1988 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

[Erik G]

[kamzcab86]

[Fogerty1970]

Erik G: Yup. Erste is right...
They came from a Chevy Lumina that was used by a police detective in a city north of where I am.
Cheers
_________________
1984 Wolfsburg Westy, EJ22.

"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." -T. Waits.

[erste]

[shagginwagon83]

What a deal man. My friend has recaro and I felt like my back problems were being healed each minute I sat in them.
_________________
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram: @joannthevan