[HOW TO] Lower Driver Seat Base

[superroo]

Came across this a while back while having the seats out of the ute.
Now I'm cleaning up my daily AU (yes I have a 2nd one), I've got a seat to show what to do.

I've always set the rear cushion adjustment on it's lowest setting, with the front adjustment higher for thigh support. However I've figured that the rear mounts for the pan can be changed to be set lower.
I took measurements while doing this and this give an immediate ≈10mm drop. More if you then clearance it with a hammer

Step 1: Remove seats from the car
This has been shown a few times, best here by Uncle_Ken, so no photo's
http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11324415
I don't know if the pan could be removed while the frame is in the car or not, I've had the complete seat out both times.

The Removed seat (excuse condition. It's getting a good clean and repair. Imagine a backrest trim and headrest on there)


Step 2: Remove pan, Find mod
Place seat on a bench and lay it on it's side with the bottom facing you.
The rear mounts are what is going to be changed.
Remove the 4 bolts and take the pan off.
Take care with this. The pan has weld nuts which the bolts go into and on both my cars I've had 1 or more weld nut broken loose. If that's the case, remove the trim from the pan and grab the weld nut with pliers to remove the bolt. You will need to weld it back in place or change the pan


Step 3: Flip rear mount
See those L brackets for the seat mount, they need to pivot to make the height adjustment work, so we take advantage of this and flip them 180°




Step 4: Remount Pan
Remount the rear first, then the front mounts (found this easiest method). In the original way the bracket is notched for some clearance, but it seams to mount ok without this notch. Personal preference if you put this in or not.
Seats are now ready to go back into the vehicle.


Step 5: Reinstall in vehicle
Reverse of step 1.
_____________________________________

That is all there is to it. The height adjust mechanism now bottoms out on the seat pan, rather than the mechanism it's self.
I've been running this in the ute for a while now and have now squeaks or rattle. I believe it's a combo of the touch point on the pan is covered in fabric and a bit of preloading on the adjuster.

Lowest rear height setting - Original


Flipped rear bracket.
You can also see where some vigorous "clearancing" with a hammer to tweak to pan inwards will get you some more drop. I highly recommend against cutting any of this structure for further height drops.


Enjoy.