I'm at it again - Trooper this time

[ZEUS]

FUN! Did you think about adding a quick release to the rear seat?

[Buffy]

FUN! Did you think about adding a quick release to the rear seat?

I hadn't thought about that. The seat will still roll forward out of the way and I can always pull the pins and remove the seat that way. This did just give me an idea though. I may see if I can find one of the pins you use for a trailer hitch for quick release. Hmmmmm....

I spent the morning looking at how to install the front seats. I took the mounts off both seats and while similar they are different enough to pose a big head ache. What I am thinking about is cutting the sheet metal out of a Rodeo and welding that into the floor of the Trooper, I think that may be easier in the long run than trying to rig up some modified seat bracket.

[ZEUS]

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...7&postcount=20

Not sure if that will take you to the post or not... if not here is the thread it came from: http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...?t=8968&page=2

The front seats sound like a nice challenge tho! Do they sit kinda low for the Troop at this point?

[Buffy]

That is exactly what I was thinking about using!

The seat being too low is a concern that I have. If you put the seats side-by-side their mounting bases are about the same. The first gen square mounting pedistal is pretty high. I will have to take some measurments over the weekend to see what I come up with. Once I figure everything out I will post up all the specs. It sure has been nice having a welder of my own now, it opens up so many possibilities when working on my projects.

[Marlin]

Coming along quite nicely! I would love to find an old 1st gen that already has the V6 swap, and put the montero jump seats in the back. I have always love the look and the idea of them folding down and making a bed in conjunciton with the other seats.

[Buffy]

I've gotten the front axle, CVs and steering knuckles installed. This morning I got the driveshafts installed, that front drive shaft is a pain to get back in!

Front knuckles with fresh paint and new seals....



I had some extra loud paint laying around and decided to do something different....









I am waiting on some parts for the big brake kit and I can finish the front end. Hard to believe I almost have this thing on its wheels again.

[Buffy]

I started working on getting the front VX seats installed. It has caused me some head scratching moments but I think I am almost there. The thing with the VX seats is the off-set is made into the seat frame insteat of the mounting bracket. So here is what I am doing....

Here are the seats side-by-side. Notice the lean on the VX seat, this is the passenger seat....





Here are the seat mounts I cut out of a Rodeo. Plan to spent about 4 hours minimum to get these panels out. I had blisters on my blisters swinging a 3 pound hammer getting the panels loose.





This is the driver front mount after a couple hours of cutting and shaping....





Stock mount out....



I had to move the new floor mount about 2 inches forward to allow for the longer travel of the new seat. If installed at the original location the front seat would actually hit the back seat. Definitely a good mod for someone with long legs..