E150 need leg room
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Joined: Jul 2013
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E150 need leg room
this question was too vague and I have asked admin to delete it.
Last edited by byndhlpng; Oct 7, 2013 at 07:14 AM. Reason: does not comform/ question is too vague , asking admin to please delete all
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
You tall guys don't have it too easy inside one of our beloved vans. Be thankful you don't spend a lot of time in that right front seat!Assuming your conversion used the factory bases they can't be easily moved without some fabrication. For safety reasons you'd want to replicate the factory method of mounting, paying attention to the upper seat belt mounting arrangement too. Moving the seat back might render that belt a bit less effective in a crash.
Factory bases of your year have a pre-tensioning device for the lap belt that engages when air bags are deployed. This is in addition to the lap/shoulder belt and forms part of the occupant SRS or supplemental restraint system.
This isn't meant to scare you away from being more comfortable---trust me I know how uncomfortable these vans can be. Even at 5'6" I'm a bit cramped, also ride with drivers seat full to the rear and simply refuse to ever ride that right seat!
I have photos and dimensions of the stock seat bases if that's of any interest.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
My dad always had an E series van when I was growing up and the 1st thing we did to all of them was remove the front seats and install buckets. In doing this we often reused the factory seat base but we made sure to position the seat to allow sufficient legroom because everybody in my family is over 6' with long legs. I bet if you remove the seat you will find it is possible to mount the tracks further back and therefore gain some useable legroom, because I don't recall ever having a lack of room in our vans.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
My dad always had an E series van when I was growing up and the 1st thing we did to all of them was remove the front seats and install buckets. In doing this we often reused the factory seat base but we made sure to position the seat to allow sufficient legroom because everybody in my family is over 6' with long legs. I bet if you remove the seat you will find it is possible to mount the tracks further back and therefore gain some useable legroom, because I don't recall ever having a lack of room in our vans.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
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Believe '04 FORD Econoline seat belt retractors & lap belt anchor points are in the door post & "would not move with the seat, no matter where the seat might be relocated". Only the OEM seat belt buckle "moves... with the seat".
Without knowing what the seat & base are in your 10 YO Tuscany Conversion we can only guess. Your "seatbelt situation" may very well be unique due to a decade worth of "unknown reason". Many aftermarket conversion seats are bulky, oversize & overstuffed. Some are poorly made & prone to failure that may prevent full range of adjustment. Newer conversions have OEM seatbelts, unlike the Good Old Days.
If the seat was "relocated...far forward" it should be pretty EZ to determine by close 'hands on' inspection - no other way to know. Only knowing what you've got will determine how EZ to return to original.
It just seems as though the whole seat has been moved forward?(for some unknown reason) Also, I was of the understanding that the seatbelt situation moves or would move with the seat, no matter where the seat might be relocated... maybe I am wrong. It seems odd that Ford or Tuscany would have bolted the seat this far forward
If the seat was "relocated...far forward" it should be pretty EZ to determine by close 'hands on' inspection - no other way to know. Only knowing what you've got will determine how EZ to return to original.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 579
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From: Ft. Worth Texas
This has little to do with the problem at hand-but I almost bought a Toyota pick-up without a test drive. The motor was fine- the truck good- and new enough that there just couldn't have been much wrong with it. At the last minute I decided to go ahead with a test drive. I'm only 6' tall but am long legged. NO WAY I could have driven that truck for ANY length of time. I found an extended cab and problem solved.
One thing that has always bothered me a little is when I get an oil change and get back in the truck and the seat has been moved.REALLY? To move it 20'- your butt has to be against the back of the seat and not the front edge?
One thing that has always bothered me a little is when I get an oil change and get back in the truck and the seat has been moved.REALLY? To move it 20'- your butt has to be against the back of the seat and not the front edge?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
I've had two recent Econolines and a 1997 GM work van in the recent 3 years. Every one of them has led me to wonder how taller guys utilize these vans.
I drive my V10 Econoline nearly 1,000 miles/week, so I've been wanting to upgrade to a newer/better seat, so I'll be watching this thread for helpful tips. Good luck Stretch.
I drive my V10 Econoline nearly 1,000 miles/week, so I've been wanting to upgrade to a newer/better seat, so I'll be watching this thread for helpful tips. Good luck Stretch.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Any speculation by those attempting helpful comments could be eliminated if you simply provided images of your current seat, its base and how its mounted to the floor.
Resulting answers would pretty much be definitive, most based upon actual experience.
Best of luck with whatever you choose to do!
Resulting answers would pretty much be definitive, most based upon actual experience.
Best of luck with whatever you choose to do!
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Been my experience that a thorough look under the seat you have now will tell you what or what not, you might be able to do about giving yourself more leg room. The Freightliners I mentioned had more bolt holes in the seat base that allowed it to be unbolted and moved rearward to give more legroom. Of course, that simple act can turn out to be a major operation in itself too with limited access to the bolts from under the floor on some vehicles. I will need to remove the middle row seats in my 96 E150 for some trips we have planned, from what I saw under the van, those may be a pain to remove as well.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 579
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From: Ft. Worth Texas
So far, I am reading only what seems to be speculative suggestions. I had hoped someone with a newer Ford van/ and or/ conversion may have already solved this issue and would be willing to pass along their hands on experience. However, I do appreciate those who are responding as you do seem genuinely concerned/ and or/ interested.... so thanks to you who are trying to help out. But, I'm holding off doing anything.... for now.
For that- you must be patient. Otherwise- trust that this forum is full of knowledgeable people who are willing to help and bad advice is almost non-exsistant because it is usually exposed quickly by those in the know.
For what it's worth- I would say your question was actually already answered and you should re-read the replies. If that is not enough for you, perhaps the solution is to entrust the fix to someone else as well.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 10
From: Thornhill , Ontario
I just used 3" Steel Flat stock 3/8 thick , cut to lenght ( 2 per seat) , and drilled holes in the plates to mount to the Factory Base and the Seat with new Offset installed 90* with Grade 8 Bolts /Lockwashers... Hardest part was Drilling all the holes... If I knew how to post pic's on here I would ...If you PM me I can send them
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
