XJS Seats Fitting

[jim2607]

I looked for ages for a pair of XJS seats in the right colour for my S1, monza red with black leather and red piping without and luck, and in the end I bought a pair in the wrong colour from fleabay and redyed them. It was a lengthy process with a kit from 'furniture clinic' using a prep solution which takes off the top layers of dye, then an alchohol surface cleaner before a light sanding with 800 grit and then spraying the dye in light coats. I had to hand paint the piping with a fine art brush three or four times before spraying the final sealant top coat and got through 6 cans of air brush propellant overall but they look fantastic and Im totally delighted with the results!
Im now in the process of fitting them but find that the chrome handle for setting the seat back angle is a little in the way unless I raise the whole subframe a few cms which in turn makes my head a bit too close to the roof if its on (unlikely I know!). Has anyone else who has fitted XJS seats had this problem and retained the chrome handle or found another solution?

[Barkychoc]

I kept the chrome handle - it is up against the inside of the sill.
I had to take the cover off the inside of the seat where the backrest meets the base at the pivot if that makes sense - then its tight but does just go.

I also fitted the seatbelt stalks with no seats, then held a piece of wood over and 'adjusted' them with a 2 pound adjuster so they were flush against the centre console to give a little more space.

[jim2607]

Thanks Chris, I sussed it in the end! As you said I had to remove the trim behind the chrome handles and angle grind off the riveted seat belt mounts from the runners but kept the handles themselves. Seat belts are a bit tight feeding above the shoulder of the seats but otherwise very happy, much comfier and look great!

[Barkychoc]

I also turned round the seat belt bracket at the sill - I forgot that - and made a runner for the seat belt as per this thread

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 2nd August 13:15

[jim2607]

Hmmm, they seem like a really good idea now those diy belt feeders. Might have a crack at that, thanks Chris.