'65 FB Seat Doesn't Lie Flat

[skinner36]

Hi,

After some time I have decided to fix the issue where my rear seat doesn't lie flat when it is folded forward. The brackets that the hinges bolt on to look like they have been re-welded in at some point in the past(and not very well done).

I don't know if the bracket is incorrect or if I have the wrong rear seat. Any help would be appreciated in solving this niggly problem. I rarerly have the seat folded down but I would still like to fix it.


Thanks,

John

[barnett468]

are you sure your car is a factory fastback?

why don't you just relocate the brackets, or if they are too low you might be able to space the seat up with some fender washers etc.

[skinner36]

are you sure your car is a factory fastback?

why don't you just relocate the brackets, or if they are too low you might be able to space the seat up with some fender washers etc.

Good question. The VIN number has 09 for the body style.

I think the brackets are too high but before I do anything as drastic as moving them I wanted to discuss it with people more knowledgeable than myself first

[barnett468]

photos would help

[skinner36]

Well caught Barnett. I thought I had attached them. My apologies

They are attached to post 1

John

[barnett468]

ok i saw the photos but i can't tell what is going on in the first one.

[barnett468]

all 65 and 66 fb's had a folding rear seat unless it was a 65 shelby.

[skinner36]

ok i saw the photos but i can't tell what is going on in the first one.

I put that one there to show the height of the bracket compared to the height of the side of the seat

[skinner36]

It could be that your car had a fixed rear seatback & that the folding option was retro-fitted.
You can usually tell by looking at the side panel where the latch mechanism is located, whether the bracket & cover panel all looks factory correct or it's been a DIY fitment.
Can you add a photo of the side latch area?

I am not able to take the side panels off yet to take a picture but looking through the latch hole the welding does not look like it is done in the factory.

John

[barnett468]

By how much does the seat not lie flat?

By the thickness of a 2 x 4 which is around 1 3/4 inches thick . That is a huge amount.

[unilec5544]

Hears a photo of my 65FB, looks a bit different to yours, maybe its been altered at some stage in its life.

[skinner36]

Thanks for the picture,

I will take one from a similar angle with the interior panel removed to compare.

John

[unilec5544]

Thanks for the picture,

I will take one from a similar angle with the interior panel removed to compare.

John

If you need some measurements let me know.

[Bucks]

Not sure if it helps, mine lies dead flat, this is the only photo i have when i installed the rear seat belts.

[skinner36]

Hi 65FB

I am trying to get a reference point to measure the top of the bracket from. Could you tell me the height of the line marked in the attached picture?

[Gallop]

This document may help - http://www.mustangproject.com/Links/mustanginterior.pdf

It has some useful pictures for reference.

[unilec5544]

Hi 65FB

I am trying to get a reference point to measure the top of the bracket from. Could you tell me the height of the line marked in the attached picture?

Using a spirit level on plumb its 27mm. From the front of the rear bracket that you have your black line on, too the centre of the front threaded hole on bracket in question, its 240mm(just behind your grey line).

[skinner36]

Using a spirit level on plumb its 27mm. From the front of the rear bracket that you have your black line on, too the centre of the front threaded hole on bracket in question, its 240mm(just behind your grey line).

Thanks for the help everyone, It is much appreciated.

John

[skinner36]

Hi,

A bout of cancer and the covid situation made me put this issue on the backburner for a while and now I am finally revisiting it. 

Could someone tell me the distance from the middle of the marked hole (in the attached picture) to the boot wall (sorry, don't know what to call it but I marked it)

Thanks,

John

[RocketScientist]

You can use shim plates on the front brackets to raise the height and the rear brackets can be squashed which causes drooping at the back. I also found the rear seat can get a bow in it from long-termed use, which won't let the assembly sit flat either.

So you can jus a fair bit of bashing and jiggery to get it flush again.
Brad

[hamgr]

Hey John
Doing the same on my 65. Not sure of your rear reference point but on mine the large hole centre at the rear to the one where the bracket mounts measures 225mm one side 226mm on the other. Large number of shims on both sides total about 6-8mm.

[skinner36]

Thanks for that