https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP ... Ko2g=w2400
A pair of Smart ForTwo seats, redone in leather with speakers in the headrests and a set of Securon 3 point belts.
In researching low profile OEM seats, a tuning shop that hoards them for their builds informed me that these are "the lowest profile by a margin." So, when a pair that were custom upholstered and also solved my speaker mounting problem popped up - I was quick to jump on them....and they've been amazing, but just don't match my new paint scheme anymore (which is why I now have the same seats in a different color).
The one notable drawback is that they don't have removable seat bases (but it doesn't take long to pull the whole seat out).
There are two main challenges to making them work. First, they are so low profile that the bottom of the seat base is slightly lower than the seat rails themselves in one spot. So, you need to make simple seat risers - but this is also a pretty standard upgrade for anyone wanting more leg room - because it simultaneously allows you to slide the seat back over the ridge at the back of the seat box. I can certainly tell you what I did for mine, and might even be able to make a pair for you for a reasonable fee.
Second, I believe the rails are slightly wider than the stock rails. So, you may have to drill a couple of new holes (this is less clear for me, because I was fabricating a whole new seat box top anyways).
More photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bDTQdo2a8FCnwVgR6
Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be at Founders Day (so you can try the ones I have installed in my truck now if you're there).
$450obo
The Perfect Affordable High-backed Series Seats?
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Private Sales Only. Vendors/Dealers, pls use Vendors section. Sellers - pls mark post "SOLD" when your items sell.
By posting in this forum, you agree not to post anything abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful or threatening, Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned.
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steveep
- Little Wheel
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:39 pm
- Location: Tsawwassen
-
steveep
- Little Wheel
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:39 pm
- Location: Tsawwassen
Re: The Perfect Affordable High-backed Series Seats?
I've added some measurement photos to the album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bDTQdo2a8FCnwVgR6
The seat base goes from ~16" at the front, to ~18" in the middle to ~15.5" where it meets the back, and it's ~19" front to back. It's ~4.75" bottom of the rail to top of the front, becoming ~6.25" with the 1.5" spacer rail to allow it to clear the lip at the back - which improves leg room significantly and gets your head to a higher part of the roof).
You could have a lower space rail and still have the protrusion on the bottom of the seat not drag on the seat box top (you could probably get away with 1" tube), but then it wouldn't clear the stock lip on the back of the seat box (assuming your model has that).
I'm just shy of 5'10" and, best I can tell, there's at least 6" between the top of my head and the roof with the seat at a comfortable angle and slid back to where the back runs into the bulkhead - though I don't currently have a headliner.
One added note, since these seats are designed to try to help people walk away from Smart car crashes, there is limited adjustability in the seat back angle. The passenger seat folds in half, but is locked in a fixed position when open and the driver seat only adjusts within a safe range for diving (doesn't lay all the way back or fold forward beyond 90 degrees).
The seat base goes from ~16" at the front, to ~18" in the middle to ~15.5" where it meets the back, and it's ~19" front to back. It's ~4.75" bottom of the rail to top of the front, becoming ~6.25" with the 1.5" spacer rail to allow it to clear the lip at the back - which improves leg room significantly and gets your head to a higher part of the roof).
You could have a lower space rail and still have the protrusion on the bottom of the seat not drag on the seat box top (you could probably get away with 1" tube), but then it wouldn't clear the stock lip on the back of the seat box (assuming your model has that).
I'm just shy of 5'10" and, best I can tell, there's at least 6" between the top of my head and the roof with the seat at a comfortable angle and slid back to where the back runs into the bulkhead - though I don't currently have a headliner.
One added note, since these seats are designed to try to help people walk away from Smart car crashes, there is limited adjustability in the seat back angle. The passenger seat folds in half, but is locked in a fixed position when open and the driver seat only adjusts within a safe range for diving (doesn't lay all the way back or fold forward beyond 90 degrees).