javelin seat mods

[robert lintott]

For some time I have felt the front seat in my Javelin is too low , may be I am not tall enough 5' 8" , can't see all the instruments ,nor the wing mirrors . Maybe the seat has compressed but no evidence for this .

I have made hardwood spacers about 2.00 inches thick and inserted them under the four support brackets and the adjuster, with long bolts with washers and nuts under the car . I have some concern that the rear spacers are now subject to fore and aft twisting , although the floor panels seem in excellent condition .

I now have the seat well forward and a good view . The steering wheel is a bit close , perhaps seat belts next ? I still dislike the system which reclines the backrest as the seat is moved to the rear but can't see how to eliminate this without major work .

Has anyone tried similar mods or have other ideas? Bob

[PJGD]

Robert,
Is it not simply a case of repositioning the rear mounts to be further back. By so doing, you should be able to make the seatback rise rather than fall as the seat is moved backwards.

[robert lintott]

Philip, I thought about that when I was fitting the blocks under the rear supports , but I am not sure it would work because the brackets rotate in an arc . I will have another look . there may also be a chassis cross member in the way . Fortunately I have a garage lift we installed recently so it is easy access. The best solution would be some kind of sliding rail as is fitted in most cars . Why Jowett adopted its own peculiar system I dont know . Has anyone else tackled this ? Bob

[PJGD]

Robert,
If you have access to the JowettTalk Gallery and look here: TOPIC

UNKNOWNLINK

[robert lintott]

Philip, I had the Javelin on the road today . I am very pleased with the higher seat position having placed 2" wood blocks under all 5 locating supports . In order to reach the pedals I have the seat about 1.5 " behind fully forward but would prefer the backrest to be more upright . The Patent papers you guided me to were very interesting , a very clever design . The installed rear supports as you will know are different in detail but the same in principle . Moving the rear supports rearward would raise the back of the seat but the support plates are only just forward of the jacking points and I think it would be difficult to drill and bolt in that area . I could increase the rear support blocks to say, 3". The best route woud be to redesign the seat with a hinged backrest , not a practical proposition ! Thanks for your help Bob