Fitting Range Rover P38 Front Seats

Discussion in 'How To' started by mattw, Aug 13, 2017.

  1. I've been wanting to change my front seats for a while as I find the originals uncomfortable and lacking in support.

    I looked at the usual Porsche seats and mgf seats but they are all pretty pricey and or far away from me. I was also looking at the P38 Range Rover seats as the square shape seems to suit the box shaped van and they are kind of classic looking with the benefit of an arm rest!

    I found some good cream ones on eBay so bought them and waited to see how much work was needed on the RR runners to get them to fit.

    [​IMG]

    When they arrived I stuck em in the van with the RR runners and it was clear they were way too tall.

    So I whipped off the RR runners and tried again....looked a bit more promising from a height perspective, even a little on the low side!

    I then bought these off eBay as they were roughly the right size!

    [​IMG]

    Starting with the drivers side, I got these attached to the seats which is where I am up to so far!

    I'll add more updates and pics etc as I go.



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  2. I think they look great......
    I would put them or mg in my bus as my seats I feel like I am sliding forward all the time
    time will tell if I get round to it.....
     
    mattw likes this.
  3. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    I'm surprised they're not too wide?
     
  4. They are actually almost the same width as the original seats, only slightly wider. I'll get a photo as a comparison later on
     
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  5. they look nice. i also couldn't get along with the stock seats (even with re-trim/ replaced padding etc) and agree as above it felt like i was sliding off them the whole time. I looked at porsche and mgf but went with mk2.5 mk5 seats in the end - chopped up some original vw bases to liberate the rails which i bolted to the bottom of the mx5 seat so the work on the stock seat runners - ie no drilling the bus. height is perfect, about 1" lower than stock. Way more comfortable than the original seat IMO.
     
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  6. Got an hour or so on the seats this eve, managed to attach the new runners to the drivers side tub :)

    [​IMG]

    Close up to see the spacers which clear the original runners

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    I did have to drill through the original runners in a couple of places but it shouldn't affect the operation of the seats if someone ever wanted to go back to stock.

    Here is an example of what it will look like, I placed the drivers seat on the passenger side for the pic

    [​IMG]


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    paul2590 likes this.
  7. Also @bernjb56 here is an original seat sat on top of the new one (sorry for the terrible picture!)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


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    bernjb56 likes this.
  8. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    :thumbsup:
     
  9. Finally got the runners mounted to the drivers seat this eve and managed to loosely bolt the seat in place.

    Had to bend the handle of the seat adjuster so it hides just under the base of the seat

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


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  10. [​IMG]


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    Buddy Hawks and wendygun like this.
  11. looks good, nice match to door cards too. how's the height?
     
  12. Height is spot on now with the new runners. I'm 6"2 and if anything it's a touch lower than the original which is fine.

    Got the plastic trims on this eve and ordered the same runners for the passenger side so the seats are are same height!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



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    mhowood, Valveandy and cunny44 like this.
  13. Hi @mattw I'm new to the forum but I've just bought a pair of RR seats for my T25.
    Do you have any info on how you "whipped off the RR runners"?
    Did you unbolt or grind off?

    Here's what I see.
    [​IMG]


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    Last edited: Jul 13, 2020
  14. I used to have a P38, always very comfy. What a great idea.
    Are you planning to wire in the heating?
    Great job your doing. :thumbsup:
     
  15. @mattw if I'm looking at this correctly, you've left the original runners (which are welded to the chassis) and bolted the new ones on top?
    Trying to fit manual P38 seats this week, so any help very much appreciated.
    Got original runners driver's side and captain's chair for the passenger.

     
  16. Hi, only just saw your post! Pretty sure I removed the RR runners as leaving them in place made the seats far too high. Will see if I can get a photo


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    mhowood likes this.
  17. Looks great. My only thought is will a person of shorter stature still have the leg length to operate the foot controls,especially the clutch where you have to push it right down.
     
  18. I ended up taking them to a local metal workshop. They ground off the RR runners, and welded a band across the middle that I could then bolt universal runners to.

    I’m 5’7” and with the slight increase in height, actually found it a better position.
    Just back from a 800 mile round trip to the Lakes. Seats were a superb!
    [​IMG]


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  19. Perfect! Yours look great

    I’m loving mine. I think they suit the van and I like the arm rest!


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