Bj8 seat track assembly

[Marvin Gruber]

On to next task. What is proper order for installing seat tracks. Metal strip on floorboard, carpet, then wood strip, then slider. I'm thinking I might put wood strips under carpet?
Marv

 

[DerekJ]

The carpet does not go under the rails. It should have 'slots' in it to fit around the rails so that it can be easily removed when wet.

 

[Healey Nut]

The carpet does not go under the rails. It should have 'slots' in it to fit around the rails so that it can be easily removed when wet.

Put the rails on top of the carpet it looks neater and buy a shop vac and /or dont get the carpet wet .
underlay, carpet , metal strip , wood spacers , seat rails.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Derek,
I like the idea of being able to remove carpet but can't bring myself to cut slots. Also Carpet goes under the wheel arch panels which I had already installed. I've had to redo about half the things I've installed. This interior is a pain to do . Going back to Triumphs after this car is done. I've painted all the seat rail pieces smoke gray to match color of convertible bows. Now if the Upholester will finish the seats I will be done with the interior.
thx to all!
Marv

 

[Jack T]

On to next task. What is proper order for installing seat tracks. Metal strip on floorboard, carpet, then wood strip, then slider. I'm thinking I might put wood strips under carpet?
Marv

I made strips for under the tracks out of steel that was probably twice as thick as the originals. Not having the special nuts for the tracks, I found that I had 'just' enough of the studs sticking through the floor to get washers and locknuts on. There would have been no way to get them on had I left the carpeting or underlayment in the sandwich, so I cut the carpeting.

 

[Keoke]

I put the steel slats under the floor and added large fender washers around the nuts to guard against pull out in the event of a crash .

I duplicated the wood slats out of very hard Oak and stained them.

Yes the proper carpet sets have slots as has been stated to allow easy removal.

 

[Legal Bill]

Metal goes first and should be in contact with the floor. Lay them atop the carpet and it becomes a great place for moisture to collect and corrode the metal strips.

 

[DerekJ]

Absolutely crazy to put the rails over the carpet. Unless you live somewhere where it never rains such as the Atacama desert then your carpets will get wet.

 

[Keoke]

Metal goes first and should be in contact with the floor. Lay them atop the carpet and it becomes a great place for moisture to collect and corrode the metal strips.

You are correct however, that does not reinforce the floor at the small retainer bolt heads under the floor.

Perhaps use the metal strips above and below the floor??

Make or purchase an additional set.

 

[Healey Nut]

Metal goes first and should be in contact with the floor. Lay them atop the carpet and it becomes a great place for moisture to collect and corrode the metal strips.

Thats why you paint them first .
And they are pointless on the metal floor as Keoke said if your in an accident the tube nuts will rip out of the floor but then again if your driving a convertible and in an accident with anything bigger than a smart car its lights out anyway .
Putting the metal on top of the carpet compresses the carpet and allows the seat to slide freely without the wings of the seats rubbing the carpet and rails etc .
Cutting the carpet looks like crap wether its "correct" or not I dont care about .
The carpet will curl n fray over time and look even worse in my opinion .

 

[Duane_Rhynard]

Absolutely crazy to put the rails over the carpet. Unless you live somewhere where it never rains such as the Atacama desert then your carpets will get wet.

+1

All the originals and the good carpet kits come with the cutouts for the rails.

The following picture of the BJ8 kit is an example from AH Spares:

Picture from Richard Berman's site:

 

[Marvin Gruber]

All done but it was a pain. My carpet kit was from Jon Skinner in the UK. It was identical to the one Duane posted except the carpets were not sloted for the seat rails. I painted the metal plate and rails the same color as convertible top bows. I managed to compress carpet and underlay on the pass side but couldn't do it on drivers side so I cut the underlay. Trying to get the nuts thru the heat shield with the mufflers blocking the way was difficult. All thats left is bolting down seats when they are finished. Thanks everybody.
Marv

 

[DerekJ]

Lets hope you don't get caught in the rain.:wink-new: