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  #1  
Old 12-02-2013, 09:02 PM
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vfrazier vfrazier is offline
 
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Default Who has tried reducing the height of the RV-6 seatback?

Who has tried reducing the height of the RV-6 seatback? It seems that the seatback is 2 or 3" taller than it needs to be. Reducing the seatback height would make it easier to access the baggage compartment, and easier for me to put my arm around my sweetie... or whomever is in the passenger seat.

Has anyone cut it down? Any unforeseen problems?
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  #2  
Old 12-02-2013, 10:15 PM
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Smile

It was a common modification to the early -6s.

An old online comment from Steve Barnard, whose RV-6A was tested by the CAFE folks...

I have a flying RV6-A with the seats lowered exactly 4 inches and love it.
They were cut off at the bottom and I also put 2 inch lightening holes in the flat areas of the seat backs to reduced weight. I was able to remove 2 lbs. of weight out of the seats.
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  #3  
Old 12-03-2013, 03:34 AM
flyer174 flyer174 is offline
 
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I just cut the backs on our 7 about 2 weeks ago,wish i had done it 6 years ago,i cut ours 3/4 of an inch above the hinge line on top and riveted another piece of angle across the back for stiffness,,now i can put my arm around my sweety when we fly plus you can actually reach into the baggage area in flight,also easier to get bags out,we have slider/taildragger and before you would sometimes have to sit in the seat facing backwards to get bags out of the back.
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  #4  
Old 12-03-2013, 06:36 AM
gwhite1 gwhite1 is offline
 
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Location: Spring, Texas
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Default RV6 Seat Back Height

I built a 6A tip-up and reduced the seat back height to just above the hinge line. There's no difference in comfort, and it does make it significantly easier to get stuff out of the back, especially in flight. I highly recommend doing it.
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  #5  
Old 12-03-2013, 07:00 AM
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Rosie Rosie is offline
 
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Location: I live in on the Rosamond Skypark (CA) and am married to Victoria (Tuppergal).
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwhite1 View Post
I built a 6A tip-up and reduced the seat back height to just above the hinge line. There's no difference in comfort, and it does make it significantly easier to get stuff out of the back, especially in flight. I highly recommend doing it.
Ditto for the slider Rosie
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  #6  
Old 12-03-2013, 07:16 AM
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Pat Hatch Pat Hatch is offline
 
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Vince, here are a couple of photos of my -6 slider with the seat backs cut off even with the cross brace. Total access to the rear, would do it again in a heartbeat.



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  #7  
Old 12-03-2013, 07:26 AM
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But what about the safety aspect? What happens if you get rear-ended with no whiplash protection?

Seriously, this sounds like a good modification - I think I'll do this on my 9.

Greg
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  #8  
Old 12-03-2013, 07:30 AM
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GLPalinkas GLPalinkas is offline
 
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Can't believe I haven't seen this mod or thought about it on my -6. Pulling bags in and out of the back is a pain every time. It's a DUH!! Moment. Maybe at condition inspection time if my cushions will work with shorter backs.
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  #9  
Old 12-03-2013, 10:27 AM
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vfrazier vfrazier is offline
 
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Thanks guys. The seats are heading for the band saw shortly.

Pat, thanks for the perfect photo! Just what I needed to see.
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  #10  
Old 12-03-2013, 01:41 PM
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Gil,

I like the idea of cutting holes in the flat sections .... Did you do that on yours ?
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