Mods to driver's seat release rail

[POD]

I've been annoyed since having the 130 by the release rail for the seat rubbing against the back of my legs. I've just had a trip to the high country and whilst manipulating the clutch and brake on a hairy, steep climb, the back of my left leg hit the release rail and sent me rocketing backwards! Happened twice before I realised it was my leg causing it. Something must be done. Has anyone else modified the seat to move the rail closer in to the seat and away from their legs? I haven't yet had a good look at it to nut out what I need to do, and don't want to reinvent the wheel if there's a common mod out there.

[TimOz]

Hi Pod,
Many years ago I had the same problem in my 110 Xtreme. If I remember I simply bend the seat unlock bar back. For me I only had to bend it back maybe 7mm or so and I used a brace (maybe a broomstick) and a large rubber mallet and gave either end a few blows. It bent after a few hit and still operates perfectly well, it is just a little closer to the seat base at full throw.

Hope that helps.

[Loubrey]

POD,

I've got Mulgo seat rails installed and its physically impossible for my legs to touch the bar...

Unless you are a bit vertically inhibited I would recommend them.

Cheers,

Lou

[gconran]

POD,

I've got Mulgo seat rails installed and its physically impossible for my legs to touch the bar...

Unless you are a bit vertically inhibited I would recommend them.

Cheers,

Lou

Lou - do the MULGO seat rails work in the 90 (which I think you own??) From looking at mine it looks like the seat moving back any further would be inhibited by the big black steel bar that runs through the cabin?

[Loubrey]

Lou - do the MULGO seat rails work in the 90 (which I think you own??) From looking at mine it looks like the seat moving back any further would be inhibited by the big black steel bar that runs through the cabin?

Yes it does and very well at that. I have long legs, but slightly short arms for my 6'1" and I like to sit quite upright with the seat back.

The rails lift the rear a bit to clear the seam, so it goes back a long way before the back touches the bulkhead replacement bar. The front of my seat base is 115 mm back measured from the front edge of the seat box.

Cheers,

Lou

[POD]

If I'm not mistaken, the Mulgo rails are designed to give more fore-aft movement to allow for longer legs? That's not an issue, I'm of average height but when the seat took off backwards I could only just hold the brake on to prevent a 100 meter freefall into the Caledonia River. I like the simplicity and essential Land-Rover-ishness of Tim's solution, I'll give it a look and see if this might work. There is a significant difference between the 2 front seats in that the passenger seat release rail is back close to the seat base, whereas the driver's seat one is about 70mm out in front of the seat. I'll have to see why they differ so much.

[POD]

After a brief look this afternoon, I don't think bending the rail up is going to solve the issue. I'm wondering if it is normal for the 2 front seat release rails to be in different positions- as stated earlier, the passenger side release is pretty close in to the seat, but the driver's seat adjuster sticks out in front of the seat a fair way, hence the leg interference. I had a look at a colleague's 2012 model 110 and his are both in close to the seat. Does anyone else have the rails in different positions?

[Loubrey]

After a brief look this afternoon, I don't think bending the rail up is going to solve the issue. I'm wondering if it is normal for the 2 front seat release rails to be in different positions- as stated earlier, the passenger side release is pretty close in to the seat, but the driver's seat adjuster sticks out in front of the seat a fair way, hence the leg interference. I had a look at a colleague's 2012 model 110 and his are both in close to the seat. Does anyone else have the rails in different positions?

You are right POD, it doesn't sound right. I have never actually come across it either. As far as I was aware the only changes in those seat frames in the last 30 years was the taller backs on the Puma seats...

When you've got the seat bases off, is there any clear differences between the 2 seats (like a completely different handle bar)? Pictures possible of the two frames?

Cheers,

Lou

[POD]

After a close inspection with both seat cushions removed, I have solved the mystery, if not the problem itself. The previous owner has had a home-brew modification done to the driver's seat, wherein the seat frame has been moved backwards on the runners, with a piece of angle iron welded to the tubular frame to reinforce it. As the release bar is attached to the rails, this means that the seat has been moved aft about 70mm in relation to the bar, so the bar is way out in front of the seat base. Restoring it to original (or even fitting the Mulgo rail kit) would involve cutting the angle from the tube section with an angle grinder and re-painting the seat frame. What a pain. It has at least been done to a high standard, but my femurs are about 2" too short to live with it.
I'm planning on doing a trial install of a pair of Rangie seats with a view to having them reupholstered to suit the defender, might try this before I un-modify the existing seat.