DIY: How to raise your factory seat to improve visibility

gofaster87 · 05-07-2012, 09:57 AM

Not really a safe thing to do, but hey, we all think accidents will never happen to us.

bigaudiofanat · 05-07-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zakimak

Not to rain on the parade but this mod can potentially cause serious injuries since it compromises the original seat anchor design. In the event of an accident, the seat mounting bolt might shear off. As seen in the original design, linear movement is prevented in two different points. One is the bolt and the other is the guiding pin. It prevents the seat from lifting and also moving forward. The bolt used in this mod is the only anchor point and due to the seat no longer in alignment with the original design, in an frontal accident, the seat might tilt upwards or shear the bolt off.

On that note, the bolt use in these mounting points are designed to meet certain shearing strength. I doubt any hardware store bolt can meet these criteria. With that, if there is a serious injury due to the seat coming off the mounting point, I doubt the insurer will take kindly to the mod.

I do noticed the warning and this is definitely a do it at your own peril scenario.

I wash just thinking about this, the original screws could of been made harder than the screws you buy at the hardware store. As you said it could potentially shier off during an accident.

kenchan · 05-07-2012, 10:57 AM

that guiding pin is there for assembly process for proper orientation.

if you look at racing seat rails, no such pin exists. but yah, do at your own risk.

kenchan · 05-07-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

I wash just thinking about this, the original screws could of been made harder than the screws you buy at the hardware store. As you said it could potentially shier off during an accident.

maybe in your case since you are a big guy, the floor might peel up with the seat in an event of a crash.

Pintsize725 · 05-07-2012, 10:59 AM

To do or not to do.........

kenchan · 05-07-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pintsize725

To do or not to do.........

dont do it if you're uncomfortable.

forgot to mention this and i will update the DIY, but use Grade5 or Grade8 screws/bolts for this DIY.

Grade5: most automotive applications - unless numerically stamped, has these lines on the bolt head that looks like a "Y."

Grade8: automotive/tractor use for heavy duty - has more lines and looks like a astrisk mark. I use this type for when i need to replace bolts for suspension work. This is what I used in my car.

Grade2: commonly used for house hold (soft) - has no marking on the bolt head.

here's a nice pictorial link:
eBay Guides - Just what is a grade 5 or grade 8 bolt

Trips · 05-07-2012, 02:48 PM

I would say to go with grade 8 bolts.

But in the event of an accident?

Isn't your seatbelts and airbag supposed to keep you in place to certain degree?

I don't see an issue but to use stronger bolts But thats just me.

Again do it at your own risk

kenchan · 05-07-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

I would say to go with grade 8 bolts.

But in the event of an accident?

Isn't your seatbelts and airbag supposed to keep you in place to certain degree?

I don't see an issue but to use stronger bolts But thats just me.

Again do it at your own risk

yep, the seat is very solid. one wouldn't notice it had spacers on the rail at all. frankly, the bolt breaking is the least of my worries. the bolt i bought from Acehardware has a stamp "8.8".

another member posted that the bolt would shear off.. "shearing off" is the wrong terminology in this case as the seat will not be sliding forward. the rear part of the rail would pull up in the event of a forward impact crash as the seat rail pivots at the front mounting bolt. i believe front anchors are on an angle for this purpose. the rear bolt is there to anchor the seat in up/down movement, not forward/aft.

Rising star · 05-07-2012, 05:54 PM

just put pillow on the seat...no mod necessary..lol

kenchan · 05-07-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rising star

just put pillow on the seat...no mod necessary..lol

is that wat you do? lol obviously you dont know anything about vehicle feedback, but hey if it works for you.

kenchan · 05-07-2012, 06:04 PM

ok guys, i think ive posted enough regarding this mod. unless you have specific questions, dont post.

nobrakez · 05-22-2012, 04:52 PM

Im a little late to the party, but just FYI "8.8" bolts ARE NOT as strong as grade 8. More like grade 5. If it were me, I would replace those with grade 8 bolts. As far as grade 8 bolts shearing, all I can say is that is what was recomended for mounting the corbeaus in my 240z and spacers were also involved. Of course this is still at your own risk.

kenchan · 05-22-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobrakez

Im a little late to the party, but just FYI "8.8" bolts ARE NOT as strong as grade 8. More like grade 5. If it were me, I would replace those with grade 8 bolts. As far as grade 8 bolts shearing, all I can say is that is what was recomended for mounting the corbeaus in my 240z and spacers were also involved. Of course this is still at your own risk.

yep, class 8.8 is about SAE Grade5, but that's plenty strong for this application imho. that is why i posted Grade5 in the DIY since most folks are more familiar with SAE J429. (or maybe ASTM? then A449). Grade8 would be a class 10.9 which is for heavy duty work.

cjr1881 · 06-03-2012, 12:09 AM

How short are you ladies that need this mod? I think this is a dangerous mod. Stacking washers??? I believe you could come up with a better rig than that if it is absolutely necessary.

Pintsize725 · 06-03-2012, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjr1881

How short are you ladies that need this mod? I think this is a dangerous mod. Stacking washers??? I believe you could come up with a better rig than that if it is absolutely necessary.

4' 9"ish

05-07-2012, 10:59 AM	#20 (permalink)
Pintsize725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Austin Posts: 14,196 Drives: 2016 Mazda 6 Rep Power: 211844	To do or not to do......... __________________ Tracie

05-07-2012, 05:54 PM	#24 (permalink)
Rising star Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 221 Drives: Z34 E90 Rep Power: 14	just put pillow on the seat...no mod necessary..lol __________________ Z34 09 #0419: 3M \| Pioneer \| Swift \| SPL\| Berk \| K&N \| Z1 \| VOLK Racing \| M7 \| Project Kics Last edited by Rising star; 05-07-2012 at 05:56 PM.

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05-07-2012, 09:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
gofaster87 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 57 Drives: 2011 Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 13	Not really a safe thing to do, but hey, we all think accidents will never happen to us.

05-07-2012, 10:57 AM	#18 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	that guiding pin is there for assembly process for proper orientation. if you look at racing seat rails, no such pin exists. but yah, do at your own risk.

05-07-2012, 02:48 PM	#22 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	I would say to go with grade 8 bolts. But in the event of an accident? Isn't your seatbelts and airbag supposed to keep you in place to certain degree? I don't see an issue but to use stronger bolts But thats just me. Again do it at your own risk

05-07-2012, 06:04 PM	#26 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	ok guys, i think ive posted enough regarding this mod. unless you have specific questions, dont post.

05-22-2012, 04:52 PM	#27 (permalink)
nobrakez Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 4 Drives: 370Z S/T/Nav 6MT Rep Power: 13	Im a little late to the party, but just FYI "8.8" bolts ARE NOT as strong as grade 8. More like grade 5. If it were me, I would replace those with grade 8 bolts. As far as grade 8 bolts shearing, all I can say is that is what was recomended for mounting the corbeaus in my 240z and spacers were also involved. Of course this is still at your own risk.

06-03-2012, 12:09 AM	#29 (permalink)
cjr1881 Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hudson Falls, NY Posts: 75 Drives: '11 Black 370Z coupe Rep Power: 14	How short are you ladies that need this mod? I think this is a dangerous mod. Stacking washers??? I believe you could come up with a better rig than that if it is absolutely necessary.