[Bob Polselli]

I'm not that tall, about 5'6" and currently using wedge cushions which aren't that comfortable and need adjusting every time I get in the car. Any ideas about raising the whole bucket seat about an 1 1/2" off the floor?

 

[Calehedron]

Someone just did this over the summer. Used 25-35mm spacer sleeves and longer bolts at the rear of the rails. It will add some forward rake since the front is not being raised but there is some rear already and they felt it leveled it out for them.

I have the opposite problem, I have lowering rails on my OEM seat and a low profile slider base for Corbeau seats that will go in later.

 

[MikeL]

Have you seen this post:

Raising the seat height for shorter people

Back in April of 2017, I wrote an article that had to do with adding lumbar support to the seats, and it touched on lunchbox660’s idea of unfastening the support mesh on the seat bottom, to l…

21stcenturyfiat124spider.wordpress.com

Mike

 

[Bob Polselli]

Thanks so much.

 

[Ausboy]

Thanks so much.

I think the big issue will be contact between the top of the sear structure and the soft top.
I am 5” 4’ and have decided that the safest way is a simple seat cushion.

 

[Bob Polselli]

I think the big issue will be contact between the top of the sear structure and the soft top.
I am 5” 4’ and have decided that the safest way is a simple seat cushion.

If when using a seat cushions, say 1" compressed when sitting on it, and your head did not touch the soft top then adding a 1 inch spacer to the rear and removing the seat cushion would not be an issue.

 

[Ausboy]

I want to see my local (Melbourne Australia) Abarth dealer today and took with me Ameridans article on raising the seat.

They refused to have anything to do with it saying that it would create a shear point and if I was hit from behind there was a likelihood that the rear support bolts would break.

On their recommendation I am seeing an engineer later this week and will report.

 

[Bob Polselli]

This was a very helpful post and I'll be looking forward to what you find out from the engineer. I was educated as an engineer but not a structural or mechanical one and was concerned with the same possibility and have hesitated in making the modification.

 

[Ausboy]

I saw my engineer this morning. He is a specialist in adapting vehicles for disabled people. He agrees that the suggestion that a stack of nuts as shown in the Ameridan article creates a shear point and a danger.

He can raise the seat 40 mm (1 5/8”) by using blocks which will not create a shear risk. Cost will be A$400.00 (US$282), which I think is very reasonable.

The work will be done next Tuesday and I will post photos.

 

[Bob Polselli]

Thanks for the update. It would be good to know the total dimensions and material of blocks being used.

 

[ameridan]

In my article, photos are shown with nuts serving as the spacer, but as I stated in the text, it was a proof-of-concept, and wide fender washers replaced those nuts. I would think that, under compression, those would serve well as a suitable spacer.

Ideally, if I get photos from someone showing a suitable spacer instead, I'll add them to my article

 

[Ausboy]

My engineer used 40mm x 40 mm coated steel rectangular tube to raise the seat height.
It has worked well, I am more comfortable without the cushion, have satisfactory sight lines and will have the comfort of a heated seat in winter.

 

[Bob Polselli]

View attachment 90639
My engineer used 40mm x 40 mm coated steel rectangular tube to raise the seat height.
It has worked well, I am more comfortable without the cushion, have satisfactory sight lines and will have the comfort of a heated seat in winter.

Very clean installation. How was the rectangular tube attached to the floor and rail?

 

[Ausboy]

I did not see the work done and assume that a new bolt was installed of sufficient height to accommodate the 40 mm height of the tube and the nut that then secures the rail on which the seat slides.

 

[Bob Polselli]

I intend to have the same thing done to my Lusso. If I understand you correctly the rectangular tubing was 40 mm² and 40 mm high. Would it be possible to ask your engineer the thickness of the rectangular tubing used?

 

[Ausboy]

I will give him a call and let you know.

 

[Bob Polselli]

Thanks. That's so kind of you.

 

[Ausboy]

I spoke to my engineer. He was reluctant to give me further details as he would prefer people came directly to him to have the work done. A reasonable position.

However I convinced him that my inquiries were coming from USA and it would not take away from him any work if he gave me the figures.

He used 4mm, 400 mm x 400 mm coated box steel to create 400 mm high spacers to raise the seat as shown in the pictures.

He also says that there are different rules in different Australian states as to the requirements for such spacers. No doubt there are similar rules in USA states. Check with your local authorities.

if you are in Melbourne Victoria Australia give Frank’s Engineering in Coburg North a call. They are specialists in adapting vehicles for disabled people. They know their stuff and are great to deal with.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[Bob Polselli]

Thank you so much for pursuing my request.