How i lifted my nbs Seats 2" for a bigger box.

[RichDash]

Well quite a few wanted to see pics and more info on what I did to lift my rear seat when I posted my box plans so here it is.

First thing I did was I thought hmmm, this sucks. I'm not paying $50+ to some lame ass on eBay who tossed together all the crud they could to make a seat lift kit. So I went on down to the local hardware store that I find myself in several times a week. As I walked through the store I thought to myself, "what can I do" then I went down the hardware isle and saw some awesome extension type pieces. They literally look like super long bolts open on both ends. So I took a few out to the truck figured what size I would need and purchased 4 of them. They were about 1.75" tall each. Knowing I would use some washers it worked out perfect. So I also picked up 4 washers for each stud as well and a bolt for each extender to put the seats back on with.

4 - Stud Extenders (can’t remember size)
16 Grade 8 Washers (can’t remember size)
4 Grade 8 Bolts that threaded into the extensions Cant remember size but don’t get too long. Get short so that they can be tightened down all the way into the extenders.

Total cost was roughly well not too much. I think it was like $12 and I got a couple other things too...

On to the pics... sorry I only have installed pics I didn’t think there would be much interest... All Drivers Side pics cause you can see the hardware from that side.

Top view


Close up view of extender


Top View of bolts.


Now for my disclaimer. I don’t know the grade of the extender at all. I can not say its 100% safe as I didn’t crash test my truck yet to get some sort of dot approval. However it feels 100% great and sturdy. I make no claims as to the safety of doing this to your truck as it is a modification to a safety device (your seat) and the restraints may not be designed to work at this height (I'm not a gm engineer I don't know if its safe doing this)

I keep my 7 year old son up front in his booster seat all the time with the air bag off anyways because it seems more secure.


P.S. if someone knows what the extensions are called please inform me. Otherwise ill look at the bin i got them out of at the hardware store some time. Have fun!

[casey69]

thanks for the pics i'm gonna do it to mine too. I just gotta find some of those stud extenders you used.

[TWISTED ELEGANC]

You're "stud extenders" are commonly known as THREADED ROD COUPLINGS. prob for 3/8" or 1/2" rod (all thread rod) hope this helps any one when they go to buy the parts.

[FastBlak]

Good write up! How sturdy is the seat with those couplings? Any wobbles?

[RichDash]

Originally Posted by TWISTED ELEGANC

You're "stud extenders" are commonly known as THREADED ROD COUPLINGS. prob for 3/8" or 1/2" rod (all thread rod) hope this helps any one when they go to buy the parts.

Thanks dood, was wondering what they were called. I went to the hardware store today and they werent labeled. That name fits them exactly though and perty much sounds like what they were made for.

To answer questions about stability, They seem to be rock solid. No wobbles at all or i wouldnt put them in and id just do something else.

Please dont take my disclaimer as a "this is a cheap ghetto rigged way to do it" It really ment what it says. I didnt do any crash testing and dont plan on doing so but i dont want people thinking its ok to ever mod a seat like this and call it safe untill its proven. If you asked would i let my mom and dad ride on it or myself, I would answer yes, of course. It seems fine... I would'nt toss my child back there though mostly cause im a bit anal about my children.

[CustomChevyGuy]

id be afraid of putting all the weight on those 4 rod couplings - did you consider putting any wood under there to help support the weight as well?

[RichDash]

Originally Posted by CustomChevyGuy

id be afraid of putting all the weight on those 4 rod couplings - did you consider putting any wood under there to help support the weight as well?

Nope, and keep in mind that these things are thick solid steel. I wouldn't use wood, it would only create a weak link. The only way these could really fail that i can see would be if they ripped the studs out of the floor pan some how. In that case the factory hardware would do the same thing so I'm not too concerned about it.

[oldred95]

I see you've got a couple flats on top and bottom of the extension hodis. Looks alright to me. I lifted the front seats in my 95 1 1/2 inches using a piece of square tubing under each seat track and it worked fine, a little tricky to get the bolts in and out but otherwise fine. I'm not a big fan of sitting on my tailbone, it makes my ass hurt. I bet that back seat is now somewhat comfortable for an adult to sit in too.

[RichDash]

Yeah, its not too bad at all. Anyone over 6 foot might not like it too much though...

[1LoC10]

i wouldnt want to get in an accident

[krusn64]

got some inspiration from your post and lifted my seat but i machined some seat "lifts" from 303 Stainless Steel. They are 2.25" tall and 2" round, threaded all the way through. I'm 6' and i can still sit on the back seat comfortably...i actually feel a little more comfortable than how it was stock...I only have a crappy cell phone pic right now so I will take some good pics tomorrow and post them

[krusn64]

heres the pictures i promised...even tho they are a little late lol.

[RichDash]

thats nice n clean lookin there, i like it krusn

[pointman821]

all thread couplers...awsome idea. i think ill be doing the same.

[krusn64]

Originally Posted by RichDash

thats nice n clean lookin there, i like it krusn

thanks, I'll be making some type of plate as well to fill in that gap and hopefully look stock.

[bsebll22]

hey i got a question. will you need some for the back brackets also or just front?

[mc7719]

Yes I know you are not endorsing doing this as safe, with a disclaimer, etc etc.. But just some food for thought, in a crash situation, your LEVERAGE is greater now on those bolts as the center of gravity is now higher... so they will be more likely to snap and have the seat come off the floor, slide forward or back, etc. The surface area of where the seat meets with the floor has also decreased, and any outside force is now directed to the rod couplers, rather than the entire seat frame.... just sayin' ;)

Good idea though. I too have been having the dilemma as to where to put my sub

[noraa917]

except for that the seat belt is what stops you and its bolted to the floor. so the bolts with the couplings are only holding the seat back in a crash.

[tekkitan]

I would definitely put either wood spacers or even some sort of metal spacing. Yes the bolts are solid steel, but that stuff isn't so strong in an impact (especially if you have some asses in the seat). Physics don't care how solid something is, it will find a weak point and exploit it.

[Hatfieco]

Originally Posted by tekkitan

I would definitely put either wood spacers or even some sort of metal spacing. Yes the bolts are solid steel, but that stuff isn't so strong in an impact (especially if you have some asses in the seat). Physics don't care how solid something is, it will find a weak point and exploit it.

Hit the nail on the head there. Other food for thought is that most threaded couplings like the one you show are used for a sort of turnbuckle and are made of mild steel. IMO not safe. Square tubing runners with bolts that go all the way to the floor would be far safer. I hope you didnt use all thread to fasten it to the floor as most of it is mild steel as well and in a crash you can kiss those threads goodbye.