Hi all. I'm 6'4 and my head rubs on the underside of the soft top on my 1996 xk8. I have the electric seat adjusted to the lowest point and angled also to lower.
Has anyone tried to lower the seat runners or even have the seat retrimmed to lower the seat further?
Even by 1" may do the trick although lower would be ideal.

 

I am not sure you have room to lower it.

Gus
www.jagrepair.com

 

No way without rebuilding the seat.

 

Thanks both. I fear it will be an expensive trip to a car upholstery specialist as I want to retain the original seat and all the electric functions, but just a bit lower.

 

The car seat is bolted to a box that sits on the floor, I think it may be possible to modify/replace this box to sit at a lower height.


Quite a chop, fabrication and welding job though.


Here is one of the seat mounting points, its the rear most bolt of the left hand seat. I didn't have my carpet completely out so am not sure what the other three mounting points look like.

 

Aha, thanks for the picture and yes that looks like it may well be a viable alternative for the seat without chopping it about. It would also fit in nicely as the floor pan on the drivers side is shot and needs replacing so my welding outfit could get creative and do all of it as a one off job.
Thanks for this I now see a good option to investigate now.

 

The 2006 XK8 is my wife's car. At 6-foot-7 I just cannot drive the damn thing for more than 20 miles unless the top is down. That doesn't help me with the lack of room for my legs, knees, and feet though....

 

Jon,

I thought there was a post (possibly a couple of years ago) describing modifying the driver's seat to lower it.

As I'm only 5'11", I didn't take too much notice and can't find it again now. At 6'7", perhaps you had reason to pay more attention to it?

Graham

 

Has anyone ever tried fitting seats from another vehicle/make (notwithstanding potential srs issues)? Just wondering if some seats from a different car would give you a lower position, perhaps non-electric seats that don't require space for motors etc. under the base.

 

Graham,

Thanks for the tip but as I said, lowering the seat won't remedy the other space issues I have with the XK8 cockpit. I just stay out of her car as much as possible except when I'm servicing it or fixing something on it. That's always been the best solution in our household....

 

I think I would rather try my hardest to retain the existing Jaguar seats with all the electrics to maintain the authenticity. I'm liking the idea of restructuring the floor pan and seat mounting points as I need to get the floor replaced anyway and it's as rusty as you can get without holes appearing.
I've spoken to my welder and if I get the replacement front panel (£60+) on eBay UK and let the welder get creative with a flat floor where the seat is, think we can lower the seat by about 1-2". That should be enough for me to fit nicely.

 

Hi Phil,
I know its some time ago... but did you have any success at lowering the Drivers Seat on the XK8...?
I have the 6'4" height problem and could do with a drop even for 1 would help.
Looking at the problem it would appear that its not possible to do with modifying the actual frame in any way... I was thinking...
The Seat Depth itself is rather thick..... Is it possible perhaps to have this Depth of Foam reduced more and have the seat leather recut perhaps...?

??

 

Hi there.
I had the frame modified and that dropped it only slightly. I’ve reviewed the seat itself to look for reducing the foam/padding but it’s not actually that thick in reality.
the seat mounting points are built in to the curved part of the tunnel up the middle so modifying will be intrusive but I think it’s the only way I am ever going to get the drop. Mind you my mate came round yesterday with his new lotus Elise toy and damb those seats are low profile and low framed. I do wonder if replacement seats may just be another option, but losing the genuine look and loss of electrics.it’s a dilemma. Will talk to my welding outfit and get them to give me some options and pricing for going to town on the floor.

 

Hi Phil,
I heard a saying once "Don't try to raise the Bridge when you can Lower the River"

Actually taking a bit off the thickness of the seat may not be such a bad idea.... If you consider the thickness of a replacement seat....
Surely there can't be that much discomfort by shaving some off.
I'm going to take the seat out and have a closer look.....
Thanks everyone for your input.