1978 FJ40 Factory Bench Seat & Overdrive

[7840au]

What I’m looking to confirm is essentially: in a RHD FJ40 does the position of the original factory 1 & 3/4 bench seat foul on an aftermarket overdrive stick OR can you slide the bench seat back somewhat and get enough clearance?

Context: I was planning on fitting original seats into my 40 however have realised the above issue, I have a Fairey Overdrive and it wasn’t an issue when I purchased the vehicle with the aftermarket bucket seats.
If anyone can confirm the two definitely don’t go together it will help me rule out factory seating.


Cheers

 

[Living in the Past]

Based off this picture from your introduction thread your OD shifter does not look stock for a Fairer overdrive for a one piece transfer case a 78 would have.

This not best picture but was easy to find. The shifter pretty much vertical. It is threaded on both ends and came be rotated to adjust the location in the cab.

 

[7840au]

Thanks Living In The Past, here’s some further pics. It appears to have 2 matching 45deg bends, not far off the mid point. So flipping it wouldn’t result in any change.

I’m just still wondering if the factory passenger seat slides back enough that it wouldn’t foul. Hoping someone sees this thread and can measure from their factory seat at its furthest and closest sliding position to a common point so I can check.

Appreciate your input!

 

[Living in the Past]

If you loosen the nut at the base of the shifter you can rotate so the first 45° is heading to the front and second 45° is up. I know the Fairy OD worked with our 40/60 bench seats. In 9/72 US switched to bucket seats as our only option. We didn't get the longer H42 four speed until 1/74. The body change 1/79 prevented the one piece transfer case OD from working according to Fairey. Do remember ever reading anything about a bench with a four speed.

Because the shifter is not direct into the OD it is possible the fabricate an extension to the bracket for the shifter, moving it forward. Then extend the piece from the shifter to the lever on the OD.