Wicks' E46 M3 Build. Hertz 3-Way Set from Tony D!

[Wicks]

Alright, here we go!

Sorry for the dim and crappy video, still workin' on a better camera.

The bracket was to secure the actuator in the trunk.

It took while to wrap this all up.

I started with a smaller actuator and found out that the extension wasn't long enough so I had to order another one.

Then there was a LOT of measuring on where to mount the bracket to the rear seat.

As you can see in the video, the actuator has to pivot a bit as the seat is moving. Therefore I had to position the bracket just right so that nothing binds and I get the right movement.

I also went through a LOT of brainstorming on how to secure both seat-backs together as my rear seat is 60-40 and I needed both to move together.

I almost ended up bolting a large bracket simply across the back of the seats but I wasn't thrilled about how that would look.

In some recent examination I found a ridge right across the top of the back of the seats which would work perfectly with a smaller brace bar.

Here's the attached bar, if you can make it out.

I started by drilling some pilot holes with a 1/4" drill bit.

Then I used my Rotozip and bored the holes out bigger.

I tried jumping right to a large enough drill bit to fit my aluminum rivet-nuts but its fairly tricky to drill through this thin sheet-metal as the drill bit tends to catch the hole and propel the bit through whatever you're drilling. In this case the drill bit wanted to bite into the metal and shoot the drill bit through the leather on the top of my seat.

So I played it safe with my Rotozip.

Here's one of the rivet-nuts in the bored out hole

Using my rivet-nut tool

Here's the countersunk brace bar with the tapered M6 bolt in place

Another shot of the installed bar

I also have a plastic cap which goes on the top edge of the seat which should help dress it up even more. I just need to trim it a little to account for the added aluminum brace bar.

So if you remember the rocker switch that I referenced earlier in the build:

This hides nicely in the dash and allows me to move the whole seat-back up and down at the touch of a button.

NO MORE MOVING THE DRIVERS SEAT, REACHING BACK AND PULLING THE REAR SEAT FORWARD EVERY-TIME I GET INTO THE CAR...

I have some more pics on some of the other detail around the actuator that I'll post up later.

[Leo1103]

holy shit thats awesome!

[REVOofRustler]

That's sick! You oughtta stick a couple unsuspecting passengers back there and see what happens when their seat starts eating them...

[sphinxbccp]

Looks great!! Nice smooth motion!

[Kyblack76]

Damn nice my man... damn nice....

[scooter99]

SHIT I WANT NOW!! You and I really need to talk now!!!!

[Wicks]

That's sick! You oughtta stick a couple unsuspecting passengers back there and see what happens when their seat starts eating them...

LOL

I forget the exact number, but that actuator is rated to move like ~300lbs.

I'd hate to see what would happen with rear seat passengers if the relay setup got a mind of its own......

[SoundFreakk]

Naahhhh I don't like it......


















I FREAKING LOVE IT!!!!!!! SICKK!!!!!

[Crandis16]

I'm really jelly man, I love that actuator action.

did you have to program it to only go X amount of inches?

[Trey_Dog650]

That's just awesome. Great build you got going here man. Keep it up