Ralph Whitaker Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Hi there, does anyone out there know what the differences are in the TR3 and 3A seat bases (frames). I bought the new seat bases a couple of years ago thinking that they were all the same. I am about to order the seat cover kit and have just seen that there are different part numbers (and prices) for the seat bases up to TR3 and those for the 3a. I knew that there was more padding on the 3a but thought that was the only difference but I guess its more than that. In Roger Williams book "How to restore...….." he states that the seat bases were all the same but the covers varied. Also he talks of using a plywood and foam base rather than the spring bases used originally for more comfort but I have been unable to find a supplier of these, does anyone know where these can be purchased?. Any help appreciated. Ralph. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 (edited) TR2 & 3 seat cushions are squarer at the front corners than TR3A, however they use the same (AFAIK) frames, so are interchangable. Before I switched to bucket seats I had one of each in my '3, both covered with the same covers (from the TR shop). Once the covers were on it was hard to tell the difference. Bob. Edited March 16, 2019 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 The original springs if in good condition are the best by far. You sit "in" the original sprung seats not "On" the foam and new sprung bases. Iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 I saved this picture when this topic came up a while ago Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted March 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 5 hours ago, iain said: The original springs if in good condition are the best by far. You sit "in" the original sprung seats not "On" the foam and new sprung bases. Iain I don't have any springs and was thinking that the Foam alternative that Roger Williams mentioned in his book might be a; more comfortable and b; cheaper than the current new bases. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted March 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 More confused now as my seats look more like the ones Foster shows as being for TR2/3 with squared off top of backrest, but there was some writing on one of the covering bags declaring it to be part no901208 TR3a fixed seat, which would appear to be correct, unless they have been labelled incorrectly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 The base part looks wrong for either 2/3/3A the sideways pressings should go all the way across. Similar (but again not quite the same) as TR4. Perhaps they are reproduction ones ? Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 All I can add is that my 3a has a tilting backrest for the drivers seat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 (edited) I drove a friends car with foam seat bases....I’m 5’ 9 and my head was too high for the screen and you are really roly poly on the top of the seat...most unpleasant. The owner hated them and changed them rapidly.....he’s over 6ft. H that’s an optional extra.....usually reserved for the Pax only :-) Edited March 16, 2019 by iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 I can say that on early cars (TR2 / 3) neither seat had a folding back, On later cars the passenger seat only had a folding back. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted March 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 2 hours ago, Lebro said: The base part looks wrong for either 2/3/3A the sideways pressings should go all the way across. Similar (but again not quite the same) as TR4. Perhaps they are reproduction ones ? Bob Yes they are definitely re-pro, my concern was that if I ordered 3a seat covers they wouldn`t fit the frames, but I am going to chance it, might just need a bit more or less padding here and there, and I will go for the proper seat springs as there seems to be some negative concern over the foam types even if I could find any. Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 5 hours ago, iain said: I drove a friends car with foam seat bases.............. and you are really roly poly on the top of the seat...most unpleasant. That perfectly sums up my experience with repro seat squabs. A feeling of instability. They were early TR4 squabs, so slightly more shallow than the TR3 equivalent and should, logically, be a little more stable. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 This is my driver side TR3A seat frames taken during the rebuild process. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted March 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 I feel happier now, thanks foster461, apart from yours having a much nicer pressed base, the actual seat back looks much more like the ones I have, so I`m confident now I have the correct frames. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted March 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 Just seen there are 2 more like mine on ebay (item no 312516287366), from an outfit called moto-build. Must be where mine came from 2 years ago but I only paid 200 for mine back then, they have gone up now to not much less than Moss. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted March 20, 2019 Report Share Posted March 20, 2019 Tr2 Seat Frame as stripped from car early TR2. Definitive TR2 seat spring prior to recovering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted March 20, 2019 Report Share Posted March 20, 2019 Finished as per original layers. Felt Horse hair. Sacking. Linen. leather squab. Super sinky and very comfortable and no perching here! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted March 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2019 Looks Good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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