13 replies to this topic

[Chips]

Hello. I've plans to get this one registered and back on W.A. roads asap.

Have been doing bit by bit to tidy up and repair etc as I see it's needed.

Am now at the stage of thinking about the front seats. To start with, and best way to explain the situation would be take a look at the pictures.

What you'll see is Toyota Supra 89 seats bolted in to angle iron to the 77 LX Hatchback.

All functionality is fine and works as standard, the forward/back movement, electric control back support as well as flip forward.

They are also held securely in place.

 

Some young fool many years ago decided to lose the standard issue seats and fit these in. he now slightly regrets getting rid of them as:

My plans are:

1) Find and fit original seats.

2) Understand what the nice registration man would think of the current effort done and if he was not to like them as is what if any options and effort would be needed to make have him like them in the car.

As they're actually comfortable and don't look too out of place I wouldn't be in a huge hurry to replace if possible but will eventually get to it. 

 

I have no clue at all what the deal would be, have hunted around this site and searched but can't find anything that clearly explains to me where they would stand at the moment.

I only understand that expired vehicle licences need to be inspected at an Inspection station.

 

I believe that aftermarket is allowed so suspect I do have some options around being able to use them.

Also, if it's all too hard, but I don't see that it should be, I would be fine to wait and hunt around to find and fit standard hatchback seats.

 

Thanks. 

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[Rockoz]

Dont think they will pass.

By the looks of it I would presume they have used a long bolt and a series of nuts to lock the angle iron to the right spot.

Bit hard to tell, but thats what Im guessing.

A long bolt dangling between the floor and the angle wouldnt pass any inspection.

A proper bracket would need to be made up that provides ample support. Something long bolts cant do.

[myss427]

Agree, they do look a little dodgy, as they say, if it looks right normally it is. Seats frames have to be engineered, they have to pass G meter tests.

Edited by myss427, 10 April 2019 - 08:53 AM.

[Chips]

Thanks for that, very much appreciated.

There's nothing published by the licensing dept and now I'm guessing that could be because it's known that this is not the way to do it?!

I had no clue coming into this one on so it's very helpful and good guidance,

I kind of had that look dodgy/is dodgy in mind as well as having been done many years ago with no previous experience all I had was the suspicion it was probably dodgy.

 

It is as you suspected, made up of angle iron and nuts and bolts to join it together.

 

From here I guess my shopping list/investigation on what's more doable in terms of time/effort/cost will be:

For original: full LX Hatchback seats and parts from floor up.

For existing seats: those aftermarket rails as I saw on a thread here & ??? . And find an shop who understands engineering requirements and can sign it off? Anywhere in Perth area?

Edited by Chips, 10 April 2019 - 11:42 AM.

[Bigfella237]

Modifications are covered under "NCOP7 Section LK Seating and Occupant Protection" which you will find here:

 

https://infrastructu...n/vsb_ncop.aspx

 

Basically the only 'owner certifiable' mods are "Fitting a manufacturer's optional seating configuration", meaning you could swap from factory buckets to a factory bench seat or vise versa if both were available in the same model, but there was never a bench seat option for LX Hatch as far as I know so that doesn't apply anyway.

 

Although I have to wonder if the change to seating capacity on the compliance plate wouldn't then require certification? Anyhow, I digress...

 

Firstly you would need to consult an engineer, there is a list of WA DOT signatories here:

 

https://www.transpor...U_VS_IB_102.pdf

 

Then consider that an engineer's certificate for the seats alone will likely cost the best part of a grand, plus the cost to make the mounts comply, plus they will want to look at the gearbox & diff fitment etc. as well (I think you mentioned in the other thread that this car has non standard running gear).

 

It may be cheaper to buy a pair of factory hatchback seats and have them re-trimmed?

 

[Chips]

ooooh. first the wake up call now the reality check! 

For sure I'll go the factory option if I'm faced with all that. Suits me fine if I can't get quick and easy win with what's in there already.

will keep looking around in the meantime though.

 

all good as this is the major change though the rest is parts from the time- 186 with a holley which fingers crossed is fine......

and these things have so much space to play around in and are so easy to work on!

[UCSLE]

you need pre approval before consulting an engineer or you can end up poring money down the drain

 

shop around on a engineer there can be huge differences on quotes 

[rexy]

Tidy the mounts up.
Add square tube under the angle so it is solidly mounted. If bolts aren’t in factory holes then add plate to the mounting nut under the floor.
Make sure they are well finished. Paint them.

Run the gauntlet.

[Chips]

All sounds like like a plan. I reckon I'll give it a shot.

[rodomo]

Cant see this thread?
Hi LX hatchback. Repair and registration time!

[bat 53]

i'v done this mod on other models 

never had a problem 

have always made a frame and bolted to the original holes or welded to the floor 

[Chips]

Made a frame as in anything like my angle iron frame?

 

I asked my local parts shop guy today- he says I did a good job! haha

I also like the idea to paint it. I got some shiny black paint. Now that will make it look pro!

Then take a shot. Have the inspector knock it back. Or give it the ok.

[Chips]

So I went with Rexy's advice here.

 

1) paint it 

2) run the gauntlet

 

thanks, job done, good advice, car registered!

 

[Rainman]

There should be a register for people that make these type of changes lol.