How is the best way to raise the bench seat?
April 18th, 2010, 01:54 PM
#1
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
How is the best way to raise the bench seat?
Hi,. Guys......
As I got older, I also got shorter!
Now at age 79 and a half, I have dwarfed to the height of five-feet four inches, I feel like the blue hairs that look through the steering wheel!
Now when I sit in my Olds I/m just too darn short. Therefore, my question: Has anyone raised their bench seat? Any replies will be appreciated.....
I did raise the seats in a 1989 Caravan, but the seat had only one bolt at each corner. My Jetstar has four bolts at each corner.
Thanks for the help!
--Don
As I got older, I also got shorter!
Now at age 79 and a half, I have dwarfed to the height of five-feet four inches, I feel like the blue hairs that look through the steering wheel!
Now when I sit in my Olds I/m just too darn short. Therefore, my question: Has anyone raised their bench seat? Any replies will be appreciated.....
I did raise the seats in a 1989 Caravan, but the seat had only one bolt at each corner. My Jetstar has four bolts at each corner.
Thanks for the help!
--Don
April 19th, 2010, 05:18 AM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Sounds like you need to hit the rack to stretch you out again! 
Some metal blocks drilled out for each of the four corners would be my suggestion. Yep, all 16 holes.
Has the seat ever been restored? The original foam may be all mashed and the springs sagging. Fixing that would give you several inches.
The cheap easy way would be pillows....
Some metal blocks drilled out for each of the four corners would be my suggestion. Yep, all 16 holes.
Has the seat ever been restored? The original foam may be all mashed and the springs sagging. Fixing that would give you several inches.
The cheap easy way would be pillows....
April 19th, 2010, 05:40 AM
#3
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,430
It's a convertible, put in milk truck controls and stand up when you drive.
My daughters new boyfriend is 5'4 and he's only 23.
The best solution would be to convert it over to a power seat if possible, they did raise up then didn't they?
Robs suggestion sounds good.
Is there a way to put something between the seat and the track?
I'm a carpenter so I would use a couple of old 2x4's.
Why not?
My daughters new boyfriend is 5'4 and he's only 23.
The best solution would be to convert it over to a power seat if possible, they did raise up then didn't they?
Robs suggestion sounds good.
Is there a way to put something between the seat and the track?
I'm a carpenter so I would use a couple of old 2x4's.
Why not?
April 19th, 2010, 08:17 AM
#4
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
Want to raise front bench seat
Thanks for the Milk Truck advice...... You're showing your age! 
We had our milk delivered by horse drawn wagons in Cleveland until into the late 40's!
Rob suggested metal blocks, but wooden ones would be easy to do for a trial. He might be right about the springs and the foam, though. I got the car from the original owner - 56M miles, but foam ages and he's a pretty big guy.
I can't imagine a door panel with electric seats and window cranks!
Thanks for the good hint......
--Don
We had our milk delivered by horse drawn wagons in Cleveland until into the late 40's!
Rob suggested metal blocks, but wooden ones would be easy to do for a trial. He might be right about the springs and the foam, though. I got the car from the original owner - 56M miles, but foam ages and he's a pretty big guy.
I can't imagine a door panel with electric seats and window cranks!
Thanks for the good hint......
--Don
April 19th, 2010, 08:26 AM
#5
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
Sounds like you need to hit the rack to stretch you out again!
Some metal blocks drilled out for each of the four corners would be my suggestion. Yep, all 16 holes.
Has the seat ever been restored? The original foam may be all mashed and the springs sagging. Fixing that would give you several inches.
The cheap easy way would be pillows....
__________________________________________________ _
Thanks for the stretching advice! I used to be 5'-6-1/2".
I think I'll take BlueVista's suggestion and try it with wood first. If it does the trick, I'll have some steel blocks made a fabrication place that I've used before.
I'm pretty good mechanically - do you think I could take off the vinyl and redo the springs and the padding? I guess you can get all that stuff - you were able to get that materials.
--Don
Some metal blocks drilled out for each of the four corners would be my suggestion. Yep, all 16 holes.
Has the seat ever been restored? The original foam may be all mashed and the springs sagging. Fixing that would give you several inches.
The cheap easy way would be pillows....
__________________________________________________ _
Thanks for the stretching advice! I used to be 5'-6-1/2".
I think I'll take BlueVista's suggestion and try it with wood first. If it does the trick, I'll have some steel blocks made a fabrication place that I've used before.
I'm pretty good mechanically - do you think I could take off the vinyl and redo the springs and the padding? I guess you can get all that stuff - you were able to get that materials.
--Don
April 19th, 2010, 08:31 AM
#6
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
Where in Northeast Ohio?
It's a convertible, put in milk truck controls and stand up when you drive.
My daughters new boyfriend is 5'4 and he's only 23.
The best solution would be to convert it over to a power seat if possible, they did raise up then didn't they?
Robs suggestion sounds good.
Is there a way to put something between the seat and the track?
I'm a carpenter so I would use a couple of old 2x4's.
Why not?
My daughters new boyfriend is 5'4 and he's only 23.
The best solution would be to convert it over to a power seat if possible, they did raise up then didn't they?
Robs suggestion sounds good.
Is there a way to put something between the seat and the track?
I'm a carpenter so I would use a couple of old 2x4's.
Why not?
My kids graduated from Mentor High.
I lived in Mentor between 1962 and 1978.
--Don
April 19th, 2010, 08:47 AM
#7
Ben
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 1,824
years back I I got my 68 Delmont 88 from a friends dad who was about 82 & 5'1 (little tiny old retired army guy, imagine Hank Hill's dad).
He had modified the drivers side of the bench by adding a couple shim plates under the seat back locking plate- this tilted the seatback forward just a hair and that was enough to "raise" him up.
Sounds dumb- but i've done the opposite on newly rebuilt bucket seats by removing the rubber bumpers under the seat back, and that little bit of extra tilt adds another inch or so.
You can also raise the seat up as others have mentioned...
He had modified the drivers side of the bench by adding a couple shim plates under the seat back locking plate- this tilted the seatback forward just a hair and that was enough to "raise" him up.
Sounds dumb- but i've done the opposite on newly rebuilt bucket seats by removing the rubber bumpers under the seat back, and that little bit of extra tilt adds another inch or so.
You can also raise the seat up as others have mentioned...
Last edited by RAMBOW; April 19th, 2010 at 08:50 AM.
April 19th, 2010, 09:09 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 106
Wood would be good for a test, but maybe a little dangerous in an accident. May aid in the seats being ripped out of the floor. But, it might be the least of our worries in a crash with our old steel. I'd be more afraid of being impaled on the seating wheel.
April 19th, 2010, 09:11 AM
#9
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
Bench Seats
I did do that! The seat backs are split 'cause of convertible, and I tried a 3/8th" block between the rubber and the metal strike plate.
That shover the back in about 3" and it helped somewhat. But, I'm so
@#$%^&* short that i'll take more!
Any and all advice is accepted, as well as tolerated.
--Don
That shover the back in about 3" and it helped somewhat. But, I'm so
@#$%^&* short that i'll take more!
Any and all advice is accepted, as well as tolerated.
--Don
April 19th, 2010, 09:35 AM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Wood also compresses all the time, so the seat would always be loose. PO of my car did this. One was broke also.
Need to keep the correct grade bolts, regardless of spacer materials.
Inserting fresh foam could work, time consuming though. Foam can be had cheap at fabric and sewing stores. The medium firmness 2" stuff will work. Might be a good job for an upholstery shop if you do not wish to try yourself. Then you have to ask "Should I replace the covers, too? what about the carpet since the seat is pulled.........."
Need to keep the correct grade bolts, regardless of spacer materials.
Inserting fresh foam could work, time consuming though. Foam can be had cheap at fabric and sewing stores. The medium firmness 2" stuff will work. Might be a good job for an upholstery shop if you do not wish to try yourself. Then you have to ask "Should I replace the covers, too? what about the carpet since the seat is pulled.........."
April 19th, 2010, 10:14 AM
#11
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
The vinyl and the carpet are in perfect shape. I redid the seat in my high school car - a 1938 LaSalle convertible with a rumble seat. Came out OK - but... can I do it at 79?
Can I just remove the seat and remove the clips from the rear and stuff it?
How hard are doing springs?
--Don
Can I just remove the seat and remove the clips from the rear and stuff it?
How hard are doing springs?
--Don
April 19th, 2010, 11:28 AM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Spring condition will not be known until you take it apart.
Often just new (or more) foam is all that will be needed.
If you know how to use hog rings and those tools to install them, you should be able to do it yourself. You will need help getting the seat in and out of the car though.
Try sitting on the passenger side. If you feel higher, then the foam / springs are prolly the issue. If you feel like you sit at the same level, the issue may be you. Either get put on the rack to stretch you out or make up some metal spacer blocks.
Often just new (or more) foam is all that will be needed.
If you know how to use hog rings and those tools to install them, you should be able to do it yourself. You will need help getting the seat in and out of the car though.
Try sitting on the passenger side. If you feel higher, then the foam / springs are prolly the issue. If you feel like you sit at the same level, the issue may be you. Either get put on the rack to stretch you out or make up some metal spacer blocks.
April 19th, 2010, 12:51 PM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,150
Two words:
phone book
Set it on the seat, and sit on top of that.
Preferably the Manhattan directory.
No muss. No fuss. Take it out when not in use. Doesn't require turning a single bolt. Handy if you're on the road and need to call someone and don't know their number. (Try to do THAT with extra foam!)
phone book
Set it on the seat, and sit on top of that.
Preferably the Manhattan directory.
No muss. No fuss. Take it out when not in use. Doesn't require turning a single bolt. Handy if you're on the road and need to call someone and don't know their number. (Try to do THAT with extra foam!)
Last edited by jaunty75; April 19th, 2010 at 12:53 PM.
April 19th, 2010, 01:31 PM
#15
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
Guess what Rob (and juanty75 and jeffreyalman?) The passenger seat is at least 1-1/2" higher and MUCH firmer.
I found that if I put some wedges under tha back of the split seat back and move it forward, I can almost drive it!
Did you see all of the phone book advice? The phone book where I live is 5 x 7 and I can't even see the tiny print without a magnifier.
And..... yet they give me a driver's license (and a one time $10 Historic Auto plate!)
Hey, Rob.. I'm going to buy some aluminum panels and a badge and turn this thing into a Starfire!
--Don
I found that if I put some wedges under tha back of the split seat back and move it forward, I can almost drive it!
Did you see all of the phone book advice? The phone book where I live is 5 x 7 and I can't even see the tiny print without a magnifier.
And..... yet they give me a driver's license (and a one time $10 Historic Auto plate!)
Hey, Rob.. I'm going to buy some aluminum panels and a badge and turn this thing into a Starfire!
--Don
Last edited by Ddbord; April 20th, 2010 at 10:10 AM.
April 19th, 2010, 01:46 PM
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,150
I still do that. Our phone company still dutifully passes them out each January. They're useful for looking up the numbers of local businesses, but, you're right, I don't use it as much as I once did.
April 20th, 2010, 06:16 AM
#17
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
I will send you a dallas phone book - they come in a set of 3, each 2" thick!
I now know your front driver seat needs to be restuffed.
Look under the seat to see if the burlap is all torn and the foam cutting through the springs. My car was like that and I was about sitting on the floor...
Your foam has gone the way of my couch cushions it sounds - all mashed down.
I now know your front driver seat needs to be restuffed.
Look under the seat to see if the burlap is all torn and the foam cutting through the springs. My car was like that and I was about sitting on the floor...
Your foam has gone the way of my couch cushions it sounds - all mashed down.
April 20th, 2010, 08:39 AM
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
April 20th, 2010, 10:16 AM
#20
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
April 20th, 2010, 10:23 AM
#21
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
I have eight inches of Tampa and St. Pete phone books, but thank you very much!
--Don
April 20th, 2010, 10:53 AM
#22
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
Two words:
phone book
Set it on the seat, and sit on top of that.
Preferably the Manhattan directory.
No muss. No fuss. Take it out when not in use. Doesn't require turning a single bolt. Handy if you're on the road and need to call someone and don't know their number. (Try to do THAT with extra foam!)
phone book
Set it on the seat, and sit on top of that.
Preferably the Manhattan directory.
No muss. No fuss. Take it out when not in use. Doesn't require turning a single bolt. Handy if you're on the road and need to call someone and don't know their number. (Try to do THAT with extra foam!)
Why don't you start a "PHONE BOOK" thread?
---"Shorty"
April 20th, 2010, 08:03 PM
#23
Proud Viet Nam Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 9,936
Hey Shorty:
Go to Walmart and get you one of those life preservers and that ought to be about right. Get the square kind you use for a boat cushion but can be used for a life preserver (I don't recommend that though). It will be a heck of a lot better than a phone book.
It is great seeing a guy you age still enjoying his Oldsmobile and a convertible at that. Love you car. We need pictures of you and the car together.
Best to you.
Go to Walmart and get you one of those life preservers and that ought to be about right. Get the square kind you use for a boat cushion but can be used for a life preserver (I don't recommend that though). It will be a heck of a lot better than a phone book.
It is great seeing a guy you age still enjoying his Oldsmobile and a convertible at that. Love you car. We need pictures of you and the car together.
Best to you.
April 20th, 2010, 09:12 PM
#24
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
Hey Shorty:
Go to Walmart and get you one of those life preservers and that ought to be about right. Get the square kind you use for a boat cushion but can be used for a life preserver (I don't recommend that though). It will be a heck of a lot better than a phone book.
It is great seeing a guy you age still enjoying his Oldsmobile and a convertible at that. Love you car. We need pictures of you and the car together.
Best to you.
Go to Walmart and get you one of those life preservers and that ought to be about right. Get the square kind you use for a boat cushion but can be used for a life preserver (I don't recommend that though). It will be a heck of a lot better than a phone book.
It is great seeing a guy you age still enjoying his Oldsmobile and a convertible at that. Love you car. We need pictures of you and the car together.
Best to you.
Thanks for the advice and the compliment (I think.)
I'll have to get pix of me looking over the door sill!
The boat cushion might work, but I might use Rob's advice about rebuilding the bench seat.
Tomorrow I'll post a picture of me in my school car.... a 1938 LaSalle convertible w/ rumble seat.
--Don
April 20th, 2010, 09:51 PM
#25
Proud Viet Nam Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 9,936
Absolutely a compliment. Rob is the King of interior makeovers on this site. When you a two or three days, read the thread about his makeover of the seats in his 72 Cutlass. The boat cushion is intended to be a temporary fix in lieu of the phone books. Looking forward to the pictures, especially the 38 LaSalle.
April 21st, 2010, 06:45 AM
#28
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Problem - bicycle seats are small and hard - they hurt!
Analysis - something must be wrong with your pants.
Solution - dorky shorts!
I put a triple spring seat from a beach cruiser on my mountain bike and never looked back.
Shims would not be enough - he would need spacer blocks of almost 2".
It is time to replace the foam.
When doing the seat back, an extra lumbar cushion can be added for better back support if you need it.
April 21st, 2010, 06:45 AM
#29
1956 holiday coupe
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hialeah, Fl
Posts: 528
Why don't you try shiming between the track and the seat? Not the track and the floor. The seat track should be held on with only four bolts to the seat, and it would only take going to a paint store to buy some shims and the hardware store for some longer bolts. Plus you wouldn't be able to see it which is a plus.
April 21st, 2010, 08:56 AM
#30
Will NEVER Grow Up!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Landrum, SC in "The Blue Ridge Foothills"
Posts: 593
1938 LaSalle!
Absolutely a compliment. Rob is the King of interior makeovers on this site. When you a two or three days, read the thread about his makeover of the seats in his 72 Cutlass. The boat cushion is intended to be a temporary fix in lieu of the phone books. Looking forward to the pictures, especially the 38 LaSalle.
Wasn't I cool! 17 years old! 62 years ago..........
April 21st, 2010, 09:10 AM
#31
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
The LaSalle was a direct competitor to the Cadillac. What a car to have when 17 - a convertible at that! How lucky you were....
I bet all the ladies were after you then.
When I was 17, I got a hand-me-down 78 Pinto...
On the bright side, it was so reliable I am still driving it on a daily basis.
April 21st, 2010, 10:09 AM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,565
Don: I know you wish you still had that '37 LaSalle. I wish you still had that '37 LaSalle. What a neat car; cheaper Caddy in its day. Mine at 17 was my '50 88 2 door sedan. How I long for it. By the way, Juju had trouble seeing over the dash on our '68 Cutlass convertible. Had the back of the seat raised about 2" with some square steel tubing and longer bolts (heavy duty bolts). Works great for her. I can't drive the car anymore! I'm 6'3", she's 5'7". Oh, well.
Aron
Aron
Last edited by Aron Nance; April 21st, 2010 at 10:11 AM.
April 21st, 2010, 11:08 AM
#34
Proud Viet Nam Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 9,936
Hey Shorty, you are still cool. How many other guys your age are still driving around in convertibles. I love the picture of you and the LaSalle. You have been cool for at least 62 years. I hope I can be like you in another 15 years. You inspire us. Don't be a stranger on here after you get your seat fixed.
April 21st, 2010, 11:42 AM
#35
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Look at your post above - I did that for you.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post168441
Looks like you started with a somewhat small picture also...
April 21st, 2010, 12:56 PM
#37
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 17,602
Copy the shortcut of the tiny picture and use that link when you hit the "attach picture" button (yellow square with mountian looking thingie).
Look at your post above - I did that for you.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post168441
Looks like you started with a somewhat small picture also...
Look at your post above - I did that for you.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post168441
Looks like you started with a somewhat small picture also...
Would you mind saying that again r-e-a-l slow for me, I still don't get it.
April 21st, 2010, 01:12 PM
#38
what Rob is saying is that there are 2 ways to skin a cat.
1st, they both have to be dead cats (the picture must live online somewhere)
way 1:
load it to photobucket, flickr, (I like google images) and copy the url (web address) from there to the INSERT IMAGE (little yellow mountain button)
way 2:
attach an image to a post here.
after the post is posted, click the "attachment" to open in a new window (click attachment again after it opens to get the web address)
copy the web address
go back and edit it the post, using the web address of the attachment as the location for the image to now be displayed in the INSERT IMAGE (little yellow mountain button)
it sounds hard but it's ez
1st, they both have to be dead cats (the picture must live online somewhere)
way 1:
load it to photobucket, flickr, (I like google images) and copy the url (web address) from there to the INSERT IMAGE (little yellow mountain button)
way 2:
attach an image to a post here.
after the post is posted, click the "attachment" to open in a new window (click attachment again after it opens to get the web address)
copy the web address
go back and edit it the post, using the web address of the attachment as the location for the image to now be displayed in the INSERT IMAGE (little yellow mountain button)
it sounds hard but it's ez
Wasn't I cool!
