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jslew
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Joined: March 03, 2008
Posts: 55
Location: Trinidad, CO
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 Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:00 pm Post subject: What year rear seat springs do i have? |
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I've got 2 complete bay window rear seats - one from a '68 and not sure about the other. The bottom springs are significantly thicker on the unknown year than the '68. The backs are the same, and the length and width of the springs are the same, but the '68 is about 7" thick in the front while the unknown is 9.5" thick (just the spring unit). Looks like choices are '74-'76 or '77-'79?
It's actually going in a split window bus. I restored the unknown yr one before i noticed the difference (it was way nicer). I had an upholstery kit for the '68, but it doesn't even come close to fitting the unknown - even with 300 lbs of adult holding it down.
I'm trying to order the right upholstery so any help would be appreciated! I would take pics, but it's already covered w/ sisel & foam padding. Thanks!
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
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Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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jslew
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2008
Posts: 55
Location: Trinidad, CO
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| Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Appears to be more about the backs. Searched all "rear seat" posts - nothing about bottom thickness.
One other clue: '68 had bottom frame which i can use in my split. Later seat had "newer" bottom frame w/ leg that would hit my heat log, so it's definitely either a 74-76 or 78-79. Anybody with either of those models help a brother out w/ a rear seat thickness (just the padded part)? 
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Current Garage:
'67 Cal Look Bug
'70 Westy
'73 Baja
'74 Spec Ed Love Bug - my first car bought in '86!
'89 Vanagon GL
'92 Corrado SLC |
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51121
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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I'm just assuming here but I wouldn't be suprised if the 74+ seat bottom is thinner to allow the seat to fold flatter just like the back. Or maybe it's fatter to prop up the thinner back section????
The 68-73 seats have a number of leg combos but the springs are seemingly all the same, the legs moved around depending on the different heater outlets.
I'll go compare and measure a few if I can find the time tomorrow.
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vw76westy
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Joined: May 06, 2007
Posts: 1584
Location: so cal
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| Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
I'm just assuming here but I wouldn't be suprised if the 74+ seat bottom is thinner to allow the seat to fold flatter just like the back. Or maybe it's fatter to prop up the thinner back section????
The 68-73 seats have a number of leg combos but the springs are seemingly all the same, the legs moved around depending on the different heater outlets.
I'll go compare and measure a few if I can find the time tomorrow. |
busdaddy
i always thought that the bottom part was the same on all 68-79
and only the seat back changed
jslew
before you invest any more time and money restoring a bay window seat for your splitt
know that only a early bay seat will fit 68-73
( i thought it was 72 but if busdaddy says 73 73 it is)
the 74-79 seat will not fit in your splitt
the easiest way to tell them apart is
a 68-73 seat back has a tab right in the middle of seat along the lower back side
late bay seat will have L-bracket type mounting plate
on the corners,sometimes they are missing then youll at least see the
mounting points for the bracket
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type2much
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Joined: November 13, 2003
Posts: 319
Location: 65536 Missouri
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 5:35 am Post subject: |
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I found this picture in the gallery. It says "Split on top, bay on bottom" but both back seats I have for my bays are like the top one with the set back leg. I can measure the spring thickness on them but I don't guess it will help if I don't know what years of seats I have. 
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jslew
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2008
Posts: 55
Location: Trinidad, CO
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:00 am Post subject: |
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Everything fits... tried my best to do my homework. I used:
-Bottom frame from 68-73 - fits no problem. Obvious difference between early & late frame legs.
-Complete back is from 68-73 - fits no problem. Not as wide as a stock split seat, I have the brackets & it is mounted. It has the bottom center tab & i will be welding in a slot for it to go into. This is a bolt in place back - no folding.
Springs are only unknown. They fit 68-73 seat frame no problem - length x width dimensions are same... just 2.5-3" thicker than 68-73 springs. I know the 68-73 springs are around 7" thick in front minus padding. Maybe my 68-73 springs are just worn out... although I doubt it. This is where having some comps would be nice.
I probably got some weird edition seat? The guy i got it from just said it was from a "late" bus.
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Current Garage:
'67 Cal Look Bug
'70 Westy
'73 Baja
'74 Spec Ed Love Bug - my first car bought in '86!
'89 Vanagon GL
'92 Corrado SLC |
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jslew
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2008
Posts: 55
Location: Trinidad, CO
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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I went back & remeasured... with sisel & padding, i get around 9.75". Here's how I'm measuring: Bottom of frame tube to top of seat (in front)
So, if you have a 74-76, or a 77-79, is your rear seat closer to 9" or 6"?
Thanks for checking busdaddy.
_________________
Current Garage:
'67 Cal Look Bug
'70 Westy
'73 Baja
'74 Spec Ed Love Bug - my first car bought in '86!
'89 Vanagon GL
'92 Corrado SLC |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51121
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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Well I'm sorry to report I didn't find anything really conclusive
The back seat bottom in my 71 measures 7.5" from the bottom edge to the top of the cushion, and 6.5" to the bead between the sides and the top.
A 76 measures 8" to the top and 6.5" to the beading. Both have upholstery so add a couple inches to yours since it requires standing on it upside down and compressing the springs to get the upholstery to go on any VW seat.
I know the 76 has it's original seat, I can't confirm the provenance in my 71 although it has original basketweave upholstery and the middle leg is all the way forward like a 68-71 seat should be.
Maybe someone with a really late bus that is sure has the OG seat can measure one of thiers?, those seats look puffier sometimes.
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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type2much
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Joined: November 13, 2003
Posts: 319
Location: 65536 Missouri
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
| and the middle leg is all the way forward like a 68-71 seat should be. |
What years had the middle leg set back?
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51121
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| type2much wrote: |
| busdaddy wrote: |
| and the middle leg is all the way forward like a 68-71 seat should be. |
What years had the middle leg set back? |
I'll have to look but I know 72 did and likely later ones too.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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jslew
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2008
Posts: 55
Location: Trinidad, CO
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 9:41 am Post subject: |
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I'll start a new thread with a better title...
_________________
Current Garage:
'67 Cal Look Bug
'70 Westy
'73 Baja
'74 Spec Ed Love Bug - my first car bought in '86!
'89 Vanagon GL
'92 Corrado SLC |
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