Shimming Fixed Back / Bucket Seat to Adjust Angle

[Myami]

Hi Pelicans:

I have a pair of BF Torino ST seats (fixed back buckets) in my 71T. The seats are great. Very lightweight. Well made. Great bolstering. They also seat me lower in the car so my head doesn’t hit the headliner. All great things.

However, the recline of the bucket is a little much. I would like to make the seat back more upright. Based on my research, it seems like some have shimmed these (or similar) seats to address this issue.

My question is: How is this best achieved—washers, spacers, something else? And how much should I be shimming—1/4”, 1/2”, more?

Hoping the braintrust here can save me some trial and error.

Thanks in advance.

[snbush67]

I’ve gone through some extensive changes dialing in my seat position. I’ve lowered my seats 2 inches used steel spacers from ace hardware to dial in the seat back angle. I have found that experience 1/4’” will move the seat back angle 2 degrees. I think that for most, the best fixed seat back angle is found between 26-28 degrees.

I ended up with the pilot seat at 26 degrees and the navigator seat at 28.

I purchased steel spacers at different heights at ace hardware.

The seats I have are the classic touring RS seats with sliders.

[Myami]

Originally Posted by snbush67

I’ve gone through some extensive changes dialing in my seat position. I’ve lowered my seats 2 inches used steel spacers from ace hardware to dial in the seat back angle. I have found that experience 1/4’” will move the seat back angle 2 degrees. I think that for most, the best fixed seat back angle is found between 26-28 degrees.

I ended up with the pilot seat at 26 degrees and the navigator seat at 28.

I purchased steel spacers at different heights at ace hardware.

The seats I have are the classic touring RS seats with sliders.

This is excellent help--thanks!

Do you have any photos of the spacers, whether or not installed? Just trying to narrow it down and get it done right the first time.

Our seats are different, but I would be curious to know the sizing you used on your respective seats as well, if it is not too much to ask.

[snbush67]

Spacers for 8mm seat mounting bolts.





I removed the stock seat mounts. The new mounting points follow the same angle as the stock mounts they are just two inches lower.

[David Inc.]

Is it safe to move the rails up off of the base like that? I would think in the case of an accident there won't be clamping force between the rails and base, and you'll be relying on the bolts alone, which will all be in single shear.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

Is it safe to move the rails up off of the base like that? I would think in the case of an accident there won't be clamping force between the rails and base, and you'll be relying on the bolts alone, which will all be in single shear.

Yes, perfectly safe. Don’t make me do the math but it’s a schittton of force to rip through a 8mm bolt and it’s going to take more than 150 mph head on slam to break four of them free. And I wear my seat belt and all my mattresses still have the tags, so I’m good.

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by snbush67

Yes, perfectly safe. Don’t make me do the math but it’s a schittton of force to rip through a 8mm bolt and it’s going to take more than 150 mph head on slam to break four of them free. And I wear my seat belt and all my mattresses still have the tags, so I’m good.

In the SC they're M6 bolts only (half the shear strength of an M8), and I'd be more concerned about rear impact either from getting smushed in traffic or backing it into a wall on track. Forward impact it's only the weight of the seat, rear impact it's the weight of me too.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

In the SC they're M6 bolts only (half the shear strength of an M8), and I'd be more concerned about rear impact either from getting smushed in traffic or backing it into a wall on track. Forward impact it's only the weight of the seat, rear impact it's the weight of me too.

I forgot they were M6 bolts. I changed to M8 bolts for these mounts. Good point.

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by snbush67

I forgot they were M6 bolts. I changed to M8 bolts for these mounts. Good point.

I'd be less concerned with M8s as well, but still with that much spacer I'd feel better running the math--it just adds a lot of bending where there should only be friction and tension.

I mean the answer is "you're probably right", but if it's my butt in the seat I wanna see those formulas!

[Myami]

Originally Posted by snbush67

Spacers for 8mm seat mounting bolts.

I removed the stock seat mounts. The new mounting points follow the same angle as the stock mounts they are just two inches lower.

Thank you! This is incredibly helpful. Off to Ace I go.

It goes without saying that to reduce the recline (my upper back doesn’t make total contact with the upper portion of the back rest), I need to add spacers to the rearmost two bolts. Correct?