Lowering front seats

Pot Hole · 04-18-2006, 06:19 AM

I am curious if anyone on here as attempted to lower the height of the front seats. Being 6' 4" tall, I am at the upper limit as to what I consider optimal viewing out of the front of my truck. Ideally, I would like for my seat to be about 1 - 2" lower than where it is to be able to see out of it comfortably. I have examined the supports holding up the front seats, but cannot figure out a way to modify them without major seat modifications.

I was curious if anyone else has run into this situation and whether anyone has attempted to modify the seat height?

Prlauren · 05-01-2006, 07:19 PM

Bring it to a body shop.... Mark off about 1/2 inch above the bolt that bolts to the floor and do the same on all four. Cut and Give it a quality and I stress "quality" mig weld job.

Pot Hole · 05-03-2006, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prlauren

Bring it to a body shop.... Mark off about 1/2 inch above the bolt that bolts to the floor and do the same on all four. Cut and Give it a quality and I stress "quality" mig weld job.

That's what I figured I would have to do, but the welding scares me a bit because if it fails I am at the point of no return. I guess if that happens I could buy another seat base from Nissan, but who knows how much that would cost, and how hard it is to install.

I guess I can live with it like it is, but I plan on having this truck a LONG time.

Prlauren · 05-03-2006, 05:33 PM

It's really no big deal...A reputable body shop should have it done in an hour. Labor Rate in NY for that kind of work is about 75 per hour. So figure around 125 - 150 around here. The welds are very important! Not for someone who can't weld.

*TitanFan59* · 05-03-2006, 05:43 PM

I'm 6' 5" and I don't have any problems seeing out of my front windshield. I dropped the seat to the bottom and gave it a bit of front tilt up.

Pot Hole · 05-04-2006, 05:42 AM

It's not that I can't see out of it, I think I would get an even better view if my seat was lowered about an inch or so. Currently, I'm looking out just under the roof line with my seat lowered as low as it will get. I also have it tilted back some, which also helps with leg room. My head doesn't hit the ceiling, but it's awfully close. What prompted me to think about doing this is when I slouch down an inch or so, I have an even better field of view through both the front and side windows.

Now if I can get up the courage to start cutting on my seat bracket...

rvandam · 05-04-2006, 06:59 AM

Sounds familiar...

I'm 6' 4" and would also love to lower the seat some. My wife's a shortie, but even with the lowered seat I should still be able to crank it up far enough for her to see over the steering wheel

Very interested in this. If you have it done, please report back with the results.

Pot Hole · 05-04-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvandam

....Very interested in this. If you have it done, please report back with the results.

rvandam,

I need to look closer at my seat base and see just how much cutting/welding it would take to get my seat lowered where I want it. I believe if I went an inch or two, I could still get it to raise up enough for my wife to see over the steering wheel when she needs to drive it (my wife's a shortie too!). Anyway, I'll look at it a bit closer this weekend and see what all might be involved. I certainly don't want to cut/weld anything that might show from the outside, but as long as I plan to keep this truck this modification would have some significant benefits for me. I'll look into it and report back.

titanse05 · 05-10-2006, 10:59 AM

I'm 6'7" and I don't have any issues seeing out the windshield........don't understand other people's problems.....good luck with the seat modifications and be sure to post pics if you decide to go this route.

Pot Hole · 05-11-2006, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanse05

I'm 6'7" and I don't have any issues seeing out the windshield........don't understand other people's problems.....good luck with the seat modifications and be sure to post pics if you decide to go this route.

It's not that I can't see out of the windshield (heck I wouldn't have bought the truck if I couldn't see out of it!), I just think I can see out of it better if the seat was an inch or so lower. With my current field of view just below the roof line, and the large A-pillar to deal with, being able to drop down a small amount would give me a greater field of view.

Prlauren · 05-11-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pot Hole

It's not that I can't see out of the windshield (heck I wouldn't have bought the truck if I couldn't see out of it!), I just think I can see out of it better if the seat was an inch or so lower. With my current field of view just below the roof line, and the large A-pillar to deal with, being able to drop down a small amount would give me a greater field of view.

If your going to cut it yourself make sure you only take off a little then tack weld the pieces back on with a good tack....sit and see if It will adjust for your wife before welding and cutting more off. Just make sure you have it weld good. You don't want it to break in an accident.

Pot Hole · 05-12-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

...You don't want it to break in an accident.

My sentiments exactly. That's why I was hoping someone had tried this already so I could get some feedback on how it went.

As for the welding, I've got some good MIG welding friends that I think would give me a deal on the welding part, I'm just leary about cutting on the seat base. It probably isn't all that expensive if I had to replace it, but it's probably a pain to do.

kartman · 05-14-2006, 12:49 PM

6'4 also. I use to be almost looking out through the tintband at the top of the window. Lifting the front end changed the angle and now its perfect.

titanse05 · 05-15-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartman

6'4 also. I use to be almost looking out through the tintband at the top of the window. Lifting the front end changed the angle and now its perfect.

I agree!

I just put on PRGs leveler and it increases the visability. As stated previously, I had no problems before but it is even better now.

Prlauren · 05-15-2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanse05

I agree!

I just put on PRGs leveler and it increases the visability. As stated previously, I had no problems before but it is even better now.

Yes you are right, the PRG level kit will also increase visability.