Replacing bench seat with individual seats...

[centerfireman]

Hello: I have an early '90s Caterham with a bench seat that I would like to convert to individual seats. How difficult is this and is will individual seats and runners bolt in or will the floor need to be modified? Also, how do those of you that have bench seats find them to be as far as comfort and the ability to hold you in place while cornering? Thank you.

[Kitcat]

I suspect sliders/replacement seats from Cat bolt right in, but just a guess. When I owned my 1st Cat w/standard adjustable cloth bucket seats I drove a bench seat Cat. It was very uncomfortable. I seemed to sit way too high, there was no headrest so whiplash injury was possible. Seat was not adjustable fore/aft. Basically I hated everything abt it and it wld have been the first thing I changed if I had bought it.

 

The standard Cat cloth seat, w/an aftermarket lumbar pillow was one of the most comfortable automobile seats I have ever used.

Edited August 19, 2012 by Kitcat

[super7guy]

Hi,

 

I have added bolsters to sides of the back wood seat panel. Cut out from 3/4" MDF or plywood a pattern whose profile matches the sides of the car (curved part) and the bottom tucks back in to miss the tunnel, Removed part of the upholstery to be able to install cut-down hardware angle brackets on the wood seat back. Upholstery shop made covers in matching naughahyde, slipped then on and stapled in place.

 

Looks good and works good for my D mod cat. When my finacee drives, angle forward the seat, support seat back with wheel chock and put pillow behind to move butt forward.

 

Wayne

[solder_guy]

I replaced my old worn bench seats with two leather Caterham seats which feel great! I did bolt steel bars to the bottom of the frame into which the runners fasten. I used grade 8 bolts nuts and washers.

[dvl]

I'm in the process of fitting Tillett B6's to my S3, that was orginally fitted with a bench seat. The seats drop right in, after a little trimming on edges. They will be bolted to the floor, with a u-channel under the floor for added support.

Dave

[danilo]

Hello: I have an early '90s Caterham with a bench seat that I would like to convert to individual seats. How difficult is this and is will individual seats and runners bolt in or will the floor need to be modified? Also, how do those of you that have bench seats find them to be as far as comfort and the ability to hold you in place while cornering? Thank you.

Depends on one's erm.. Girth :-) Chubby (and even not so chubby) guys fit firmly No dangers of any sideways sliding. Bigger issue is that the bench seat back itself can move about. Remember that at some point Cat moved that rear seat wall back a bit. Adding Buckets Might push the driver closer to the steering wheel as result in such a car.

Clearly adding tracks makes it easy to fit a seat on sliders. Remembering that, just like in a Cessna Or a Boeing those seat rails are bolted to a rather thin piece of aluminum sheet 'floor'.

Grade 1 :-) bolts or even Pop rivets will show no advantage in a crash.. god forbid.

[bball7754]

Agree with Mike (Kitcat) regarding the comfort of the seats.

 

Believe that at one time there were actual frame members that the seat rails attached to, and that at some point in the '90s they removed the frame members and went to the current approach (bolted sheet aluminum floor with U runners beneath the seat rails).

 

Steve

[Guest Terry]

we have them in stock