DeTomaso Mailing List: June 2000, Message #63

I guess we all know there are many things owners do to Pantera seats. I 
happen to like the stock ones, but wanter the back to be just a little more 
vertical. It happened that the right side attachment point for the back to 
the bottom was cracked on mine, allowing the right side of the back to flop 
back and forth a little. I was able to get the recently replaced covering off 
was well as all the rubber. My goal was two fold - first to make the seat 
back a little more vertical and second to raise the front for more thigh 
support.

So - I took the seat frame to my body pal and he cut the back loose from the 
bottom, tilted the back about 1/2" forward (more vertical) and TIGed the 
thing back together. Then when I put the tracks back on the seat bottom, I 
put two 1/4" shims between the track and seat bottom at the front attachment 
point and one 1/4" shim between the rear of the track and the seat. This 
raised the seat bottom about 1/2" inch in the front and since I had the back 
rewelded 1/2" more vertical, raising the front of the seat more than the rear 
made the vertical about 1/4" more than it was originally. I have the bottom 
part of the track mounted solid on the floor. This gives it proper support 
instead of having it sit on the carpet which will eventually cause it to bow, 
making it bind and hard to move on the tracks. The shims are easy to make. 
You can used 1/4" aluminum plate cut into pieces about 1" square. Drill a 
hole in them for the bolt - if you use 1/2" of shims, you might need to get 
longer Allen head cap screws to hold the track on - but if I can get them in 
CT at Home Depot, I'm sure you'll be able to fine them someplace too. I know 
someone will do the geometry, so I didn't put it here - but it's really easy 
to shim them. What was the question? Did I make this confusing enough? 
Someone buys this thing - ya'll won't have to see as many postings from me!!

ruffscruff (aka fran dicarlo - lovin' 03766 - CT Plate = BYE = for sale)