Seats for 1981 dhc

Peter smith · Postby **Peter smith** » 03 Mar 2014 18:19

Hi

First post on here and my first classic, any idea which seats can be used as a straight forward fit on my tr7? I have been told seats from a Mazda mx5 fit straight in I would prefer from a mark 1 with the speakers in the seat. Anyone know if this is correct?

Thanks

DNK · Postby **DNK** » 03 Mar 2014 18:26

Welcome Peter.
have a set in my garage waiting to go in mine
They will fit and quite a few have done it.
It is not a straight forward fit compared to a TR4-6.
A little bracketology needs to be done

Don
Stick a Wedge In It
80 TR7 V8 Kick in the pants

John Clancy · Postby **John Clancy** » 03 Mar 2014 18:46

The MX5 seats are not a patch on genuine TR7 seats so if yours are uncomfortable it is usually because something is broken. MX5 seats are not a suitable alternative anyway because they sit too high.

If you can get to one of the shows see the TRDC (UK) or TWOA (US) and try out some members cars who have sorted their seats and you'll hopefully see how good they should be. I and many others on this forum have never sat in another car as comfortable as the TR7... except perhaps the TR8!

<center>[url="http://www.triumphdvd.co.uk"]Triumph TR7 and other car documentaries on DVD here[/url]</center>

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 03 Mar 2014 19:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Peter smith

I aM 6' 4" and have no problem with my 81 dhc<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Peter smith

... which seats can be used as a straight forward fit on my tr7?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
With your length I'd stick to the original seats.
All else will give a far to heigh seating position.
Unless you like the sunvisors in full view that is [:p]

And as John already mentioned, when your seats are uncomfortable they are worn and/or broken.
I have done several long distance events with my cars over the years,
and the seats have proved to be very comfortable.

<center>

1976 TR7 FHC (needs some TLC ...)
1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, a.k.a. Kermette)
1981 TR7 FHC (Sprint engined a.k.a. 't Kreng
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My full Blog[/url]</center>

DNK · Postby **DNK** » 03 Mar 2014 19:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Clancy

... MX5 seats are not a suitable alternative anyway because they sit too high...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

To high for what?

Don
Stick a Wedge In It
80 TR7 V8 Kick in the pants

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 03 Mar 2014 19:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DNK

To high for what?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Seating position maybe ...

<center>

1976 TR7 FHC (needs some TLC ...)
1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, a.k.a. Kermette)
1981 TR7 FHC (Sprint engined a.k.a. 't Kreng
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My full Blog[/url]</center>

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 03 Mar 2014 20:20

I sat in a TR8 with seats from a Miata with speakers in the headrests. I didn't find them comfortable. Sat in my brother-in-laws Miata (gen 1 I think it is) the seats were better. He's looking for a set with speakers. I find my TR7 seats most comfortable. Original foams. I did replace the foams in the headrests (one headrest was in backwards) and replaced the bottom rubber diaphragm that was split with original type that was available at the time. I suspect the rear rubber strips in the back probably need replacing as well but that's way down on to do list.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

Hasbeen · Postby **Hasbeen** » 03 Mar 2014 21:18

I'll add another vote for sticking with your original seats.

In good condition the 7s seats are the most comfortable I've sat in.
They also hold you in place better than many of the extreme "competition" seats on the market too.

The new old stock diaphragms were not really up to the job, but now a new production run of diaphragms has been done, changing to a different seat is a really retrograde step.

Hasbeen

DNK · Postby **DNK** » 03 Mar 2014 21:52

I like a taller seat

Don
Stick a Wedge In It
80 TR7 V8 Kick in the pants

Stag76 · Postby **Stag76** » 04 Mar 2014 07:39

The MX-5 floor slopes from the front to back. It is hard to replicate this slope in the TR7 when fitting MX5 seats. If you don't get it right, you get the feeling that the seat is tipping you out.

Having had both cars, my vote goes to the TR7 seat for comfort and support.

TR7 Convertible
Sprint Motor
MegaSquirt EFI

John Clancy · Postby **John Clancy** » 04 Mar 2014 09:36

Don, it is possible to get the Mazda seats to fit because I remember someone documenting how it was done. It involved cutting away a lot of the foam and making the runners lower. It still sat higher compared to a TR7 seat (which I find far more comfortable than the Mazda seats anyway) but it didn't look as ridiculous as without the lowering modifications. It is likely though that anyone around 6ft is going to struggle with MX5 seats whatever you do to make them fit.

Simplest and best option is to repair the original TR7 seats. Possibly cheaper too.

<center>[url="http://www.triumphdvd.co.uk"]Triumph TR7 and other car documentaries on DVD here[/url]</center>

fastman · Postby **fastman** » 04 Mar 2014 10:19

I'm not sold on the idea of adapting seats for the TR7. I had tried fitting some MR2 seats, again too tall. I had my original seats rebuilt and am very pleased with the comfort and appearance. The added "owner's touch" can also be incorporated when renewing your old seats.

TR7 FHC

birminghamtr7 · Postby **birminghamtr7** » 04 Mar 2014 11:31

I'd have to do some backtracking through the search but slider had ford probe seat in his they looked a pretty good fit.

if you factor in the earth's rotation, we are all speeding

DNK · Postby **DNK** » 04 Mar 2014 12:51

Fastman- Are those off the shelf door cards??

Don
Stick a Wedge In It
80 TR7 V8 Kick in the pants

mb4tim · Postby **mb4tim** » 04 Mar 2014 17:26

I'll tell you that full-power Saab 9000 seats are way tooooo high (too high for my MGB, too)

-Tim
http://www.morSpeedPerformance.com

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Seats for 1981 dhc

Seats for 1981 dhc

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