seat height

[rchappelear 28]

so i finally installed my TMI sport seats into my 69 mustang fastback and really am shocked how high i sit inside of the car.  i have maybe 1" to 1/2" head clearance to headliner.  Is this typical to our cars? 

 

 

[RPM 1,190]

I've heard that complaint of TMI around Mustang forums. A lot of guys blame it on new vs old padding/foam, but I don't buy it. I haven't complaints from any ather company. The stock 69 seats are low.

[Rsanter 152]

It is a conbination.

I have redone seats with new foam before and you sit a little higher. But not as much of a difference than the start seats.

I put the, in my 69 conv and there was a big difference. I have actually though about selling the seats and going back to stock

 

Bob

[Brian Conway 264]

we've had a lot of discussion regarding seats , seat foam, seat upholstery makers and the end results. A ' search ' may add some info you don't have. I have one picture that may help with your question. Picture shows original seat with tape measurer going to the headliner 34 & 1/2" add three inch's for the tape body and it's 37 & 1/2" What's yours measure ? Brian

[rchappelear 28]

Brian Conway

 

If i measure from the bottom of the seat and follow the slop of the back rest (as it looks like in your photo) my seat measurement comes out to be 32 1/4" +3" for the tape body.  So that is a total of 35 1/4" from seat cushion to headliner.

 

I have dynamat extreme on the floors, mass back carpet, TMI sport seat foam and upholstery.  The headliner rods are set on the upper holes (that should have given me a additional 1/2" of space).

Only thing i can figure is that they need to break in a bit

[RPM 1,190]

2-1/4" seems like an unrealistic amount of breaking in to me. You mention Dynamat on the floors. Your seat tracks aren't sitting on the Dynamat are they?

[mustangstofear 608]

I'm shocked at how many people don't realise that the TMI seats sit higher then the stock one. This has been a complaint for years. When we developed our seats we made sure they were the same height as the original ones. I guess this is why we sell so many headliners after people install there TMI seats LOL.

[rchappelear 28]

the dynamat is only 1/8" thickness and would play little on the height issue.

[Brian Conway 264]

The picture I posted above is the before picture these are the after pics. Showing the new TMI upholstery and foam on the original frames. I gained 1/2" on the seat bottom. Possible the 'Sport' seat style is the cause of the height issue ? Brian

[TurboStangGT 7]

Brian did you use the TMI Premium seat foam with the listing wires molded in? I know alot of people like the american cushion ind. seat foam. I was gonna go with the sport II  upholstery now I'm not so sure. I've lowered a few  seat platforms before but there's no way you can remove 2 1/4" anyone else using the TMI sport II ? 

[rchappelear 28]

Man i cannot get over how much of a difference between my TMI sport seats and the reupholstered seat still.

 

This is what my set up is

factory seat pans

original floors

dynamat extreme

acc mass back carpet

1970 high back seat frames

TMI sport seat foam and upholstery

head liner rods on the upper holes to gain head room

 

* i went with the 70 seat frames due to the back rest level issues of bending.

ryan

[rchappelear 28]

i see you are using a 30' stanley  tape, i will use my stanley tape and see if i get a different reading.

[Brian Conway 264]

Just to be clear; all measurements were taken with the seat in the full back position.  Yes I used the premium TMI foam with listing wires imbedded.  Brian

[JayEstes 172]

I had my seats completely redone custom.  They stripped down my original frames, blasted and painted them and used custom foam and vinyl to rebuild my seats.  I have had concerns since I sat in them the first time that they were a "little too high".  

 

In the attached pic, the seat is pushed "all the way back".  At 6ft 1in and mostly legs, this is a usual requirement for me.  I find that I sit with my head really close to the top, but it has settled probably 1/2in to 1in in only modest use so far.  IMHO, the original seats left me a little too low, and so I was happy to have a slightly higher seat.  My new ones verge on "too high" but I'm happy to have the opposite problem for a change.

 

In the picture, you can see I am measuring almost a full 35in.  Several important points about this measurement:

 

- I believe that the "tilt" of the seat can drastically affect the measurement (+/- 1inch or more).

- I measured to the headliner, not the roof.  The headliner is probably an inch below the steel roof

- I have ACC mass back carpet which the rails sit on

- The rails also sit on Dynamat extreme.

- floors are otherwise original.

 

 

Hope that helps.

 

Jay

[MikeStang 247]

Should have just put some Fiero Seats in with Some Mr. Mikes upholstery on them, a 6' tall guy in those seats has PLENTY leg room and head clearance... feels like Im riding in my Old Porsche hehe

[RPM 1,190]

If I could've found some Fiero seats when I was searching I'd have bought them.

[Rsmach1 71]

I've heard the Chrysler crossfire seats are another alternative, supposed to have a low seat bottom.

[Jefhuf 13]

Has anyone used the TMI "Pro Series" seats in their 69?  It's a complete seat and they claim it sits approximately 1" lower...looking at Mustang Depot they have the high back Mach I style with Sport foam listed for around $1500 for a pair including tracks.  Not cheap but also not a bad deal if they are actually an "upgrade" to stock.  I need to re-do my seats and looking for options as the local upholstery guys want to bend me over...

[MikeStang 247]

^{Find ya some Fiero Seats and order a seat kit from Mr. Mikes Fiero Seats and be done with it... Nice high bolsters and if you get 1984 seats you have speakers in the head rest hehe}

[Jefhuf 13]

Anyone have a link or photo to Mr Mike's with Mach I trim?

[jwscarab 20]

Should have just put some Fiero Seats in with Some Mr. Mikes upholstery on them, a 6' tall guy in those seats has PLENTY leg room and head clearance... feels like Im riding in my Old Porsche hehe

 

This is what I did too.  I used Fiero seats.  I ditched the tracks and used a 1 1/2" x 1/2" rectangular tubing to mount the Fiero seats to the floor (fixed position to fit my leg length) using the stock holes in the floor.  I did NOT lower the seat pan.  I use an original headliner and bows.  I am 6'6" tall - and I have PLENTY of head room!

[MikeStang 247]

I have some pics gimme a few.

Mr.Mike will sew the upholstery how ever you want him to.

I wanted to try to stay kinda close to the design of the Mach 1 Seats but go newer looking.

[MikeStang 247]

Here's what they looked like when they were done...All in all I am VERY happy with them.

Recently spent a total of about 15 hours in them this past weekend and they are Very comfortable.

The seat kits come with cotton batting so you can pack the bolsters pretty full and make them as tight at you want

[Jefhuf 13]

Here's what they looked like when they were done...All in all I am VERY happy with them.

Recently spent a total of about 15 hours in them this past weekend and they are Very comfortable.

The seat kits come with cotton batting so you can pack the bolsters pretty full and make them as tight at you want

they look great!  do you think he could insert the red stripe?  it's one of my favorite features of the car so would prefer to keep it 

[MikeStang 247]

Yes he can put the stripe in just about any color and where ever you want it at.

Or you can send him the material you want to use.

Mike is easy to work with but talks fast and a lot LOL

Great guy and great product