No weld to tunnel seat lowering

[Inniswhe]

I wanted to post some pictures of my solution to lowering the seat rails without welding to the tunnel. I am getting the welds done on the outboard side and also on the base of the new inboard rails . I thought I would post these pics and will update when the welds are completed but the main reason for posting is to show the tunnel fastening.

The new inboard tunnel side rail was fabricated in a local sheetmetal shop. It is fastened to the tunnel with 5/16"-18" nutserts. The nutserts are installed like a pop rivet in holes drilled into the tunnel below the gas line chase. It creates a blind nut to fasten to. You can see the spot weld where the gas line chase is fitted after you get the old rail cut out. so it easy to drill below and there is enough space in there to clear cables etc.

I cut off the old rail and kept the bases so I can weld an overlap joint on the rail and not risk overheating the undercoating.

I have dry fit the seats and I managed to get the factory sport seats in my 84 lowered 1.25 inches with this approach. This seems to be the limit for lowering as the side of the tunnel and door sills start to interfere with the sport seats.

It makes a huge difference to me at 6'3",235lbs. I only wish the factory sport seats were a little wider in the bolsters. I need to refinish the seats and may replace the seats but am a little nervous to change now that I know the sport seats will fit in the new arrangement.

Tunnel With Nutserts installed:


Rail Installed (welding not yet done on the bases)








Outboard Rail:

Tunnel Nutsert closeups:

[euro911sc]

Do you have a web link to those nutserts?

-Michael

[Larry_Ratcliff]

Very nice! I need to do the same thing. I am tired of my head rubbing the head linner with my helmet on.

[Inniswhe]

I am not sure who the manufacturer of the nutserts I used. The sheetmetal shop that bent up my new rails had the kit so once I saw it I knew it would provide a simple solution to this problem.
I believe there are several manufacturer's of this sort of tool. A local sheetmetal shop might be able to help you .

Ross

[HawgRyder]

The nutserts and tool are available from Mcmaster-Carr.
They have them in standard and metric.
Be advised...some of them are sealed at the bottom of the recess...(blind-ended) so that when installed, they sort of seal the opening.
Bob

[Inniswhe]

I tried some nut inserts that were in the kit I had that were the same as what McMaster Carr is selling. I did not like that style as they snap as you compress the tool and the two part assembly is drawn together. The problem is that for one they can fall apart if not real tight until the nut is in , and secondly the nut turns easier. The style I preferred had an expanding section as you compressed the tool. This type cannot fall out and held much tighter.

Ross

[Hcarraro]

Thanks for sharing your method. Good work.

Henry