MK1 seats - change

[Petrolhead]

I have these at the mo http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQPcdBk1vP...

The speakers are broken and the headrest too low

So I was thinking about some nioce leather ones like these http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpo-mw4Q3...

Are they a straight swap?

[MX-5 Lazza]

If they are later Mk1/Mk2 seats than yes. All Mk1/2/2.5 seats are a straight swap.
Mk2+ seat runners have the seat belt stalk attached to the runner (possibly vary late Mk1 too) but that isn't a problem.

[Petrolhead]

Cheers

[Petrolhead]

Apparentl not such a straight swap as I was led to believe:

I swapped my cloth Eunos seats (With speakers in the headrest) for leather ones with the separate headrest, like this http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqEOKiUE1yWZG4QCBNnrL...

I was told they are a straight swap however they are not and I have problems with the seat belt. The belt receiver (The bit the buckle plugs into) is on the seat instead of being on a stalk. The receiver is on a runner that’s attached to the seat and then fixes to the tunnel via a runner.

The first problem is the original fixing hole for the stalk is in the wrong place for the runner. The second problem is the buckle will not lock into the receiver.

So there seems to be a fixing problem and a mismatch of the original buckle to the new receiver.

Any thoughts

[CaptainSlow]

Can you use the original receiver?

[Petrolhead]

I could, they are bloody ugly though.

Maybe I could get someone to cover them with leather cloth

[anonymous-user]

I had aftermarket seats in my mk1 for a while, but I found the old original seats in the shed and decided to try the foamectomy thing, but as well as removing the panel from the seat back i also cut a load of foam out of the seat base so i sit lower in it, and it works really well, with the side bolsters finally holding me in place properly. It also puts the headrest in roughly the right place rather than behind my neck.

[Richyvrlimited]

Petrolhead said:

The first problem is the original fixing hole for the stalk is in the wrong place for the runner. The second problem is the buckle will not lock into the receiver.

The fixing hole is there, you just have to cut the carpet to access it.

As to why the buckle doesn't clip in I've no idea I'm afraid. Mine buckles with both types of receiver.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think there was a buckle change at some point. Not sure what fits with what though.
A 94 Mk1 Roadster buckle will fit a 2001 Mk2.5 receiver - I know because I used my seats in our track car once.

ETA: Looking on MX5Parts website suggests the change was 93/94.

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 31st August 15:26

[mondayo]

JimSuperSix said:

I had aftermarket seats in my mk1 for a while, but I found the old original seats in the shed and decided to try the foamectomy thing, but as well as removing the panel from the seat back i also cut a load of foam out of the seat base so i sit lower in it, and it works really well, with the side bolsters finally holding me in place properly. It also puts the headrest in roughly the right place rather than behind my neck.

Are they still as comfortable though? I've got quite a bony arse, so like a nice comfy seat, but I think sitting an inch or so lower would be nice, as I always feel a bit perched on top of the car, rather than in it, and my head brushes the roof if I sit up properly.

[Petrolhead]

Well my leather ones are about 1-2" lower than the std speaker ones

[anonymous-user]

mondayo said:

Are they still as comfortable though? I've got quite a bony arse, so like a nice comfy seat, but I think sitting an inch or so lower would be nice, as I always feel a bit perched on top of the car, rather than in it, and my head brushes the roof if I sit up properly.

They seem to be, although I think I cut a bit too much out right at the rear as I occasionally sit right on the edge of the metal seat base, which hurts a bit.

If you cut the foam out neatly as a single piece then if it feels terrible you can just put it back in with some double sided tape. The bits in the backrests fall out as a single piece anyway.

[NiceCupOfTea]

My 94 Eunos came with a Recaro driver's seat and a normal passenger seat - Recaro was a bit tight for me so bought a pair of ebay Eunos cloth seats. They looked identical but when I got them home spotted a slightly different seat pattern, and they had no seatbelt stalks. Just had to buy a stalk from ebay and bolt it onto the bulkhead which was easy enough.