Hi Peeps,

Am wanting to upgrade my front seats to a more modern type (similar to wrx seats etc) and need to get them fitted... I imagine i need to have them engineer certified and custom brackets made up.. I notice many members have modern seats in their minis... Can anyone give any advice on how to go about doing the upgrade? what is required etc?

Cheers with beers,

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Zulu...

1967 mini Cooper S

Not a lot of people go to the trouble of 'official' engineering (certificates) as the cars are generally old enough that you get away with whats sometimes defined as 'owner certified'.
For example if you buy some bolt in seat rails that mount to the cars original seat mounting points you can use whatever seat you want, provided access to the back is retained if the car is a 4 seater.

easiest way would be to buy some seat rails to suit mini. These will bolt in at the factory brackets.
most aftermarket seats will bolt to that

ask around when you find seats you like to see if anyone has experience with them. I got some new seats which didnt match the aftermarket brackets i used for my Cobras.

just fitted 87 honda civic seats
welded 12mil plate to crossmember
drilled and tapped to fit front bracket manufacted bracket for back
bolted together with 10 mm high tensile bolts done by freindly engineer

all good really great set up
next weekend after done went for little drive the back way to albury and home to melb

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65 panel van Sprog
73 panel van Iggy

I,ve got Monza seats that came fitted with a steel bar that allows me to use the Leyland factory seat bar , I fitted heavy rubber blocks to the back of the seat to raise it up , this allowed me make some brackets to bolt the seat to the factory seats mounts on the front rail, no holes needed to be drilled and the factory seats just fit back in as normal , the biggest thing to keep in mind is the weight of aftermarket seats , my Monza seats weigh at least 14kg's each that why I only use the drivers seat , if you need a photo let me know

I,ve seen some Leyland tombstone seats that were reshaped, resprung and reupholstered in dark blue leather , very nice

.

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i've just finished fitting Hyundai Getz seats into mine...

as i'm 6ft tall i figured the best spot for me to fit these seats was heaps lower than on the crossmember, so i've gone behind the crossmember and fabricated up brackets that bolt through the floor in 3 of the 4 mounts, the 4th bolts into the original seatbelt mount...

these seats look nice and are quite comfy, but i STRONGLY RECOMMEND NO ONE EVER FITS HYUNDAI GETZ SEATS! this was one of the worst projects i've ever had to do, they're borderline too wide, so rub on the rear pockets, i don't have any fore/rear travel they're solid bolted and the brackets were the biggest PITA to fabricate as none of the mounting spots on the seat are at the same height...

i'd go for an aftermarket set that has 4 flat mounting points on the same level or some use side mounts, again quite easy and would work well for behind the crossmember.

if you're still super keen for engineered seats, chat to the guys at Willshire Motor Trimmers (is willy still around here?)

i think something like this would be the easiest.
http://www.minispares-online.co.uk/?cat ... rod_id=714
http://www.minispares-online.co.uk/?cat ... rod_id=637
but for that amount of dollars i'd be getting some clubman high-backs fully re-done by a really good trimmer, you'll end up with some awesome seats.

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Sorry for the hijack, but does anyone know what the legality's are in regards to fitting non stock seats?

Cheers, Sam

Seeing as your in QLD yes

Basically, if they aren't seats out of a mini, then you need to get a modification plate from a certified inspecter. It's usually straight forward, make sure the seatbelt functions properly in regards to positioning on the occupants body and angles etc. Also that the seat is mounted properly.

With seat mounts, if you're mounting it to the floor pan, use washers/plates (not sure of the precise required size, but roughly 2inch square, 1/4inch think would be good). Basically the area the bolt/nut is going to pull out of in an accident needs to be strong. And the bolts need to be high tensile but can't remember if it specifies a minimum size.

So, in summary...

Find some suitable seats.
Fit them yourself by fabricating mounts or purchasing suitable mounts.

Or

Find some suitable seats.
Get them fitted and engineer approved.

Do whatever I want?

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Zulu...

1967 mini Cooper S

Problem with forums is someone always raises their hand with a question and everyone with an engineering / toolmaking / steel working background says its easy, but when a newbie makes their adapters for something out of cheese and crackers cause they don't have the correct knowledge its dangerous and stupid.

All the regulations for car modifications can be found on your relevant states RTA or whatever, its always best to check with that what you can and can't do.

Nothing written on a forum from some fellow car owners will stand if you get in trouble with the law, so take some time out of your day to find the right info (hint for Victorian people most things are loosely covered in VSI-8 from the vicroads site).