Like many before me, I installed a complete set of GD WRX seats into my GC coupe recently. While the comfort and aesthetics were very pleasing, the limited access to the back seat was now a complete PITA. The reason for this is due to the fact that the coupe comes with seats capable of folding forward, thus allowing easy access to the back seat (giggity). So as many before me have also done, more than likely, I got to searching to see if there is a mod to the GD WRX seats that can be done, I found nothing (I probably just suck at searching). So here it is, my super simple modification to the GD WRX front seats which will allow them to fold forward slightly.
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Step one: Remove the seat from the car by unbolting the 4 mounting bolts on the rails. Or this can obviously be skipped if you have not installed the seats into the car yet.
Step two: Remove the plastic covering on both sides of the seat which cover the reclining mechanism. This can be accomplished by removing the screws on the front, rear, hidden screw in the middle behind the recline arm, and lastly removing the plastic off the recline arm itself which is behind the cap.
Once all the screws are removed you simply pull upward and to the rear (in the direction shown in the picture, green arrow) as there is a plastic retainer that slides over a metal tab (green circle) on the rear.
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That rust, smh. Guess I have to break out the wire wheel and paint lol
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Step three: Now that the reclining mechanism is uncovered on both sides of the seat, you will see what actually limits the motion of the seat. The round metal guide acts as a track of some nature to keep the motion of the seat in the desired direction. This has a tab that sticks out, limiting how far forward the seat can move (circled in light blue in the picture below). This is where you will need to break out your cutting tool (I used a dremel cutoff wheel, and a carbide grinding bit to smooth out my cut after) to modify the track. You can see that I chose to cut through the small hole below the forward limiter, and smoothed out the cut to follow the contour of the metal track. You may be able to remove more material below this point, I did not try as at this point the seat plastic coverings will start to push outward from the new motion.
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Step four: Repeat on other side of seat. Profit. The modification is complete, you can now vacuum off all of the metal shavings you surely left on the seat cushion, and reinstall the seat. From my super accurate calibrated eyeball measuring device, I would say about 20-25 degrees of added forward motion was gained over the OEM forward folding limit. Not the hugest amount sure, but it was enough for me to be able to get a squirming toddler into his car seat in the back comfortably now.
This process can be done on the driver side seat as well if you desire, only additional step is to remove the height adjuster arm (held on by one 12mm?? bolt)
Somewhat related helpful tip: If this is your first time installing GD seats into your GC, remember to swap over the seatbelt retainer (clasps) from your OEM seats, as the GD uses a different clasp. Alternatively you could swap out belts I suppose. You will need to grind off a tab on the GC belt retainer to have it sit flush on the GD seat mount (self explanatory when you see it)
Hopefully someone finds this information useful, as I know it was a pretty awesome little modification for myself.
Step one: Remove the seat from the car by unbolting the 4 mounting bolts on the rails. Or this can obviously be skipped if you have not installed the seats into the car yet.
Step two: Remove the plastic covering on both sides of the seat which cover the reclining mechanism. This can be accomplished by removing the screws on the front, rear, hidden screw in the middle behind the recline arm, and lastly removing the plastic off the recline arm itself which is behind the cap.
Once all the screws are removed you simply pull upward and to the rear (in the direction shown in the picture, green arrow) as there is a plastic retainer that slides over a metal tab (green circle) on the rear.
That rust, smh. Guess I have to break out the wire wheel and paint lol
Step three: Now that the reclining mechanism is uncovered on both sides of the seat, you will see what actually limits the motion of the seat. The round metal guide acts as a track of some nature to keep the motion of the seat in the desired direction. This has a tab that sticks out, limiting how far forward the seat can move (circled in light blue in the picture below). This is where you will need to break out your cutting tool (I used a dremel cutoff wheel, and a carbide grinding bit to smooth out my cut after) to modify the track. You can see that I chose to cut through the small hole below the forward limiter, and smoothed out the cut to follow the contour of the metal track. You may be able to remove more material below this point, I did not try as at this point the seat plastic coverings will start to push outward from the new motion.
Step four: Repeat on other side of seat. Profit. The modification is complete, you can now vacuum off all of the metal shavings you surely left on the seat cushion, and reinstall the seat. From my super accurate calibrated eyeball measuring device, I would say about 20-25 degrees of added forward motion was gained over the OEM forward folding limit. Not the hugest amount sure, but it was enough for me to be able to get a squirming toddler into his car seat in the back comfortably now.
This process can be done on the driver side seat as well if you desire, only additional step is to remove the height adjuster arm (held on by one 12mm?? bolt)
Somewhat related helpful tip: If this is your first time installing GD seats into your GC, remember to swap over the seatbelt retainer (clasps) from your OEM seats, as the GD uses a different clasp. Alternatively you could swap out belts I suppose. You will need to grind off a tab on the GC belt retainer to have it sit flush on the GD seat mount (self explanatory when you see it)
Hopefully someone finds this information useful, as I know it was a pretty awesome little modification for myself.
