71 Charger Superbee Tribute/Restomod Build

[70chall440]

Well the fun never stops... I thought I was done with the seats FINALLY... but oh no, not so fast. When after installing the passenger side I went to try it out and lo and behold, it would not adjust, or adjust very much. So out comes and I try and figure out what is happening. I made a few "improvements" thinking that I had solved the problem but after putting it back in, I noticed a ball bearing on the carpet and of course the seat will not move.

So I removed the seat AGAIN... and removed the outside track (the one with the adjuster knob). After playing with it a bit it literally came apart or separated. I discovered that not only had the ball bearing come out if it but the cage which holds it was a bit mangled as well.

I was able to fix the cage but then discovered it was broken so I welded it. then I found out that the whole track was bent so I straightened that. After about 3 hours of jerking around I went to reassemble it to find out that it was never meant to come apart, they hammer 2 larger dimples into one side which prevents the top (part nearest the seat) from coming off the track.

So I flattened out the dimples and began to get it back together but then decided I was fighting an uphill battle and it would never be right mainly because it is made with thinner materials than the original. It is the same basic design but not the same.

The main problem is that it was bent or bowed. I believe that I did this when I tightened the mounting bolts in the car. This caused a cascading effect of failure. I have these same tracks in my Cuda and did not have this issue at all.

So in the end I went onto eBay and bought a set off someone there but I have little doubt that they will have issues as well, but the difference is that the factory ones can be worked with I think.

 

[ckessel]

Something I need to keep an eye out for when I get around to buying the Procar seats and sliders for my 65. At least for the mounting, it's full on flat. No contours to deal with.

 

[70chall440]

There are a number of aftermarket sliders which are vastly simpler than the original Mopar design.

 

[64fury74charger]

I have played with several aftermarket seat tracks and like most things these days, they are made with the thinnest material and do not allow any slight adjustment or modification without breaking. I am following along here as well.

 

[70chall440]

I have played with several aftermarket seat tracks and like most things these days, they are made with the thinnest material and do not allow any slight adjustment or modification without breaking. I am following along here as well.

@64fury74charger Have you tried the Sparco sliders?

 

[64fury74charger]

@64fury74charger Have you tried the Sparco sliders?

I haven’t tried those yet. At this point I’m seriously considering putting in some fiberglass seats with the side mount brackets. I know that isn’t a good idea but I am trying not to spend more on seat tracks than the seats.
I am also looking at some replacement 3 point seat belts on summit as mine are really worn out.

 

[70chall440]

I haven’t tried those yet. At this point I’m seriously considering putting in some fiberglass seats with the side mount brackets. I know that isn’t a good idea but I am trying not to spend more on seat tracks than the seats.
I am also looking at some replacement 3 point seat belts on summit as mine are really worn out.

Well you have to do what you have to do. What seats are you using?

I think I have the factory belts out of my 71 which are blue I would probably give you if that is something you are interested in.

 

[64fury74charger]

Well you have to do what you have to do. What seats are you using?

I think I have the factory belts out of my 71 which are blue I would probably give you if that is something you are interested in.

The current set are from either jegs or summit with the twist knob’s for the recliner on both sides of each seat. The other set had that little handle on it and as soon as I leaned back slightly to drive the teeth stripped and back you go.

I drilled both seats and put pins in until I got a different set. Seats have been an ongoing struggle with this particular car. I am really getting tired of screwing around with seats, but it’s really hard to drive a car without seats.

 

[70chall440]

The current set are from either jegs or summit with the twist knob’s for the recliner on both sides of each seat. The other set had that little handle on it and as soon as I leaned back slightly to drive the teeth stripped and back you go.

I drilled both seats and put pins in until I got a different set. Seats have been an ongoing struggle with this particular car. I am really getting tired of screwing around with seats, but it’s really hard to drive a car without seats.

There is always something that is a PIA to be sure. I am sure you can solve this seat deal. I am happy to help you if I can but you need to come up with some type of frame work.

I don't know what sliders you are currently using but as I said before if you make the inside 2" and the outside 1" in height you should be there or very close. There are many ways to skin this, you just need to figure out which way you wanted to go.

If the carpet was out of my car I could have mocked something up as I have a variety of AM seats but that ship has sailed although I could probably fab something up that might be close if I had the seats.

 

[70chall440]

@64fury74charger These are the Sparco adjusters

TRACK SET / SLIDER

 

[64fury74charger]

This has been what seems like a very simple issue to solve. I am going to be able to focus on this more now since everything else I have done as far as the Sniper 2 and fuel tank installation seems to be working very well.

I have put around 4500 miles on my car this summer, mostly back and forth to work in heavy Seattle traffic and the temperature stays consistent and starts every time. That has given me the confidence to really get in touch with the seat issues. Thank you for your help.

 

[70chall440]

This has been what seems like a very simple issue to solve. I am going to be able to focus on this more now since everything else I have done as far as the Sniper 2 and fuel tank installation seems to be working very well.

I have put around 4500 miles on my car this summer, mostly back and forth to work in heavy Seattle traffic and the temperature stays consistent and starts every time. That has given me the confidence to really get in touch with the seat issues. Thank you for your help.

You have definitely driven yours a lot more than I have of any of mine (70 Challenger RT, 73 Cuda, etc). I do go anywhere usually but when I do I generally drive one of my trucks or rarely my 85 MR2 (or one of my Harleys in the summer).

Good luck, I have no doubt you will get it sorted out but if you need help let me know. You are about an hour and a half from me depending on traffic, so not all that bad.

 

[64fury74charger]

@64fury74charger These are the Sparco adjusters

TRACK SET / SLIDER

I just looked at your link and it looks like I have already worked with those tracks and if I remember correctly part of the problem was the adjustment bar hit the floor and would not work smoothly.
That cross bar points down and when I tried to flip it that didn’t go very well. I have spent considerable time trying to cobble together working seat tracks and part of the problem was me wondering if everything else was going to work. Now I have seat time and that makes me feel better. Hope this makes sense.

 

[70chall440]

I just looked at your link and it looks like I have already worked with those tracks and if I remember correctly part of the problem was the adjustment bar hit the floor and would not work smoothly.
That cross bar points down and when I tried to flip it that didn’t go very well. I have spent considerable time trying to cobble together working seat tracks and part of the problem was me wondering if everything else was going to work. Now I have seat time and that makes me feel better. Hope this makes sense.

Gotcha, perhaps if the seats were spaced up you could get the bar to work or fabricate something that would.

There are plenty of other seat tracks out there, you just have to find something that you can work with. I suspect you want something close to the originals (which is an option), in which case you should look at some of the repop designs (doesn't have to be the Mopar ones). How about something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Racewill-Adj...-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1