Wanted headrests in my '68's.
Background, '68 seats are different then '65-'67 and '69 and later. The TMI sport seat headrests don't fit '68's (they look kinda funky IMO) and the '69 single posts don't work in a '68 either.
OEM '68 headrests are really hard to find. $$$$$
As the '69 headrests and mounts are now available repro, looked at how to modify the '68 seat to add the '69 headrest.
So, in a nutshell;
Buy 2x 105 x 200 x 2.8mm (4" x 8" x 3/32") plates, 4x 3/8" 1 1/2"L bolts (could go 1"), 4x 3/8" nyloc nuts, 8x 3/8" flat washers, and 8x 1/4" nyloc nuts.
Cut upper edge of seatback to notch to accept the headrest bracket.
Place plate under bracket and over seatframe. Mark 4x 1/4" holes for bracket and 2x 3/8" for mouting to the seat.
Drill 4x 1/4" holes and 2x 3/8" holes. (I had to file the ovals in the seat abck just a bit to get the 3/8" bolts thru, went bigger rather than smaller)
Mount bracket to plate, then assembly to seat.
Cost? $20 for 2 seats (excluding headrests and brackets). Time to install, maybe 30 minutes.
Very solid and while not "engineered" they are very sturdy and I have no qualms about using them.
May look into a source for a solid plate, this was what Bunnings (Oz version of Home Depot) had on-the-shelf in a size that fit. Could trim edges for a more appealing look but as its all hidden this prototype is going in the '68.
An easy add-on if you are redoing seat covers, and way less cost/hassle (at least here in Oz, buying and shipping one set of '69's cost me $700, thus this plan for the other 3 cars!) than trying to find '69 seats to swap in. Upholstery would probably need to come off to add it to exiting in use seats.
prototype bracket
Revised seat w/'69 headrest against original, w/TMI sport seat foams and upholstery.
Background, '68 seats are different then '65-'67 and '69 and later. The TMI sport seat headrests don't fit '68's (they look kinda funky IMO) and the '69 single posts don't work in a '68 either.
OEM '68 headrests are really hard to find. $$$$$
As the '69 headrests and mounts are now available repro, looked at how to modify the '68 seat to add the '69 headrest.
So, in a nutshell;
Buy 2x 105 x 200 x 2.8mm (4" x 8" x 3/32") plates, 4x 3/8" 1 1/2"L bolts (could go 1"), 4x 3/8" nyloc nuts, 8x 3/8" flat washers, and 8x 1/4" nyloc nuts.
Cut upper edge of seatback to notch to accept the headrest bracket.
Place plate under bracket and over seatframe. Mark 4x 1/4" holes for bracket and 2x 3/8" for mouting to the seat.
Drill 4x 1/4" holes and 2x 3/8" holes. (I had to file the ovals in the seat abck just a bit to get the 3/8" bolts thru, went bigger rather than smaller)
Mount bracket to plate, then assembly to seat.
Cost? $20 for 2 seats (excluding headrests and brackets). Time to install, maybe 30 minutes.
Very solid and while not "engineered" they are very sturdy and I have no qualms about using them.
May look into a source for a solid plate, this was what Bunnings (Oz version of Home Depot) had on-the-shelf in a size that fit. Could trim edges for a more appealing look but as its all hidden this prototype is going in the '68.
An easy add-on if you are redoing seat covers, and way less cost/hassle (at least here in Oz, buying and shipping one set of '69's cost me $700, thus this plan for the other 3 cars!) than trying to find '69 seats to swap in. Upholstery would probably need to come off to add it to exiting in use seats.
prototype bracket
Revised seat w/'69 headrest against original, w/TMI sport seat foams and upholstery.
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