single seat back to split seat back
#1
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Car: 86 Trans am
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed
single seat back to split seat back
I am in the process of restoring my 1986 Trans Am and I am working on the interior . I found that Classic Industries sells the exact uphostery for my car. The problem I ran it is the car came with a single seat back not the split seat back. I was able to come across a used set of split seat backs but my question what additional hardware do I need to make the switch. Has anyone ever accomplished this ?
#2
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Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 355 LT1
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Australian 9 bolt
Re: single seat back to split seat back
The. Only difference is there is a "T" welded to the DS tunnel, mine was the same way and I didn't notice till I installed the seats smh. But its only noticeable when u fold a seat down, past that its completely functional. I've been throwing around the idea of just spot welding a 6 inch rod there
#3
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Car: 85 SC, 86 Berlinetta
Engine: V6, V8
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4
Re: single seat back to split seat back
You'll need an extra latch post and a piece in the center that was spot welded in place. If you find one in a junkyard that doesn't allow cutting tools it is possible to use a chisel to free it from the body.
#4
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Car: 85 SC, 86 Berlinetta
Engine: V6, V8
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4
Re: single seat back to split seat back
Lol, it made me shrink the images to upload, but they turned out huge when posted on here!
#5
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Car: 86 Trans am
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed
Re: single seat back to split seat back
Thank you all for the help, found the latch post and the T rod on eBay already. One last question , do you need any parts for the additional hardware to screw the additional latch post in ?
#6
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Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 355 LT1
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Australian 9 bolt
Re: single seat back to split seat back
There's 1 other thing I forgot....you only have 1 hole for the latch on the top of the seat, with the split back your gonna need another drilled into the quarter....I'm wondering if you have the hole in the interior panel, either way you need an extra hole
#7
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Car: 86 Trans am
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed
Re: single seat back to split seat back
Drilling a hole in the plastic is easy, u think there is a nut or something to screw the additional latch post into ?
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#8
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Car: 85 SC, 86 Berlinetta
Engine: V6, V8
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4
Re: single seat back to split seat back
You may have to fabricate something for the post. Sometimes the plastic panels have an indent on the back to locate the hole.
#9
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Re: single seat back to split seat back
Welcome to TGO, Pete. You might take note that a search is usually a good idea as most questions have been asked and answered. Here's a how-to that you may find helpful:
https://www.thirdgen.org/splitseat
JamesC
https://www.thirdgen.org/splitseat
JamesC
#10
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Re: single seat back to split seat back
You need/should make a brace & weld it on.Dont mount the striker on the plastic trim, tried that already.I eventually made a brace to mount a latch on the driver side & 86 the pass latch.I didnt swap to split back though.
Always pissed me off having to fold down the seat back & walk/reach over to unlatch the damn thing!Why did GM put the latch on the pass side?
Always pissed me off having to fold down the seat back & walk/reach over to unlatch the damn thing!Why did GM put the latch on the pass side?
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Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 355 LT1
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Australian 9 bolt
Re: single seat back to split seat back
A friend of mine had a brill bit almost the same size as the latch post, and my black rear panel had the hole already, so I just marked and drilled a hole, the treads caught pretty well so it just screwed right in, into the back of the quarter panel/wheel well area I mean, not just the plastic
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Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 355 LT1
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Australian 9 bolt
Re: single seat back to split seat back
The thought crossed my mind...after it was too late of coarse, but I went back in about 8 months later for sound proofing and checked it, I didn't see any rust around the hole so I'm assuming its its not leaking....but a lil rtv wouldn't hurt I guess
#14
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Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: single seat back to split seat back
I am in the process of restoring my 1986 Trans Am and I am working on the interior . I found that Classic Industries sells the exact upholstery for my car. The problem I ran it is the car came with a single seat back not the split seat back. I was able to come across a used set of split seat backs but my question what additional hardware do I need to make the switch. Has anyone ever accomplished this ?
#15
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Car: 86 Trans am
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed
Re: single seat back to split seat back
That's a good question mantaguy, I bought the car used , I am gonna check this out.
#17
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Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: single seat back to split seat back
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