Raising Defender seats

[Ranga]

Being a bit of a shortarse, I'm wanting to raise my Defender front seats a bit. I've installed new foam, which has helped a bit, but not enough.

There's aftermarket seat runners around, but these are aimed more at being able to move the seat back further, which is of no use to me at all (obviously).

Anyone able to suggest options for lifting the seats abit? Is it possible to just get some strong boxing and put this under the existing seat rails?

[LowRanger]

When I bought my 94 Defender,the previous owner had fitted a small stainless block under each corner,drilled through the centre and used a longer high tensile bolt to mount it to the floor.

[incisor]

mulgo does some seat rails from memory...

dont know if they lift you like the mud rails do tho...

[mike_ie]

The seat rails don't just shift the seats back, they also raise the seats by about 20mm. The combination of both increases legroom by a surprising amount. They are easy to make - a section of appropriately sized box section, some drilling of holes, and maybe longer seat bolts if you want to simply raise the seats. If you want to also shift them back then you will have to weld new seat mounts to the box steel, but again,it's not difficult if you have the tools.

If you couldn't be bothered, then as incisor pointed out, Mulgo does a decent looking set for $80.

[Bigbjorn]

The seat rails don't just shift the seats back, they also raise the seats by about 20mm. The combination of both increases legroom by a surprising amount. They are easy to make - a section of appropriately sized box section, some drilling of holes, and maybe longer seat bolts if you want to simply raise the seats. If you want to also shift them back then you will have to weld new seat mounts to the box steel, but again,it's not difficult if you have the tools.

If you couldn't be bothered, then as incisor pointed out, Mulgo does a decent looking set for $80.

You can easy make some yourself. Go down the scrap dealers and get sufficient 50mm x 25mm rectangular tubing. Drill as appropriate and use longer screws.

[jerryd]

I made a complete panel out of 16mm MDF, cut new lids etc and covered in carpet. This was mainly for silencing the "Isuzu" but has obviously raised the driving position too. I prefer this now as I can see each corner better (I'm a shorty too)

It did make it a bit quieter and also stopped the rattles from the aluminium lids, it's also easier to keep clean I'm now making a new cubby box with drink holders, cd storage and a pull out drawer,fingers crossed...........I'm just about to try and trim it

There are some pics in the Isuzu section

[mike_ie]

You can easy make some yourself. Go down the scrap dealers and get sufficient 50mm x 25mm rectangular tubing. Drill as appropriate and use longer screws.

Take a look at the MUDSTUFF ones available from the UK if you want to make a set...

MUDSTUFF.CO.UK, MUD Seat Rails, Land Rover Defender Solutions: West Yorkshire

[VladTepes]

Ranga did you take pics of what you did ? If so a little "mini project" in the projects and tutorials section might not go astray. and mights save people some $

[miky]

Using the mudstuff link above and looking at the fitting instruction photos I went and got some 30mm square tubing (size depends on what lift you want) and easily made some. I needed longer screws as well of course. So... look at the photos and it is easy to do.
Seat now goes back further and it is higher - which is what I was really aiming for.

[lardy]

I made a complete panel out of 16mm MDF, cut new lids etc and covered in carpet. This was mainly for silencing the "Isuzu" but has obviously raised the driving position too. I prefer this now as I can see each corner better (I'm a shorty too)

It did make it a bit quieter and also stopped the rattles from the aluminium lids, it's also easier to keep clean I'm now making a new cubby box with drink holders, cd storage and a pull out drawer,fingers crossed...........I'm just about to try and trim it

There are some pics in the Isuzu section

how does MDF handle extreme braking with your weight on it ?