Yet Another Seat Thread

[Ghetto Fab.]

I've been casually looking for seats for the new buggy project. Figured I'd go with PRP suspension seats and am guessing that is what everyone will recommend anyways, but I keep looking at options. More specifically I keep looking at shell style seats.

Last buggy had some Beard suspension seats. Just your very basic cheapo suspension seats. I liked the fact that they held me in place better than OEM style seats. As time wore on, I found they got saggy in the seat and my ass would begin to hit the floor. I should have mounted the floor differently, but space is always a premium in these vehicles. Also, the shoulder seatbelt hole wasn't high enough in the seatback to make wearing the shoulder belts comfortable. I almost never wore the shoulder belts, and when I did I was just compressing my spine the whole time. Not good!

I'd like to increase my safety and comfort in the new buggy. A few on here have mentioned hard shell seats with padding and it makes sense if your tight in the seat and not flopping around that it would be comfortable. I'm not building a cone dodger, or racecar, so I need something in between on a limited budget. I want something with a high back, but not a full on head restraint setup. I wheel primarily JV, but will go to rubicon, fordyce, and sand hollow.

Any suggestions? Some are FIA certified. Does that mean anything in our sport since we aren't crashing at speed backwards into concrete barriers? Budget is very limited.

Started poking around on summit and have seen these that look nice for the price.
RaceQuip

Then I came across these at an even better price point.
NRG Seat

Slightly stupid, but I do like this Momo seat.
Momo Supercup

It gets tricky though. Some seats look like hardshell seats but are actually a steel frame with injection molded foam. Not a suspension seat, but not hardshell either. I do like the look of these Corbea seats, but not sure on how they hold up in crashes. Obviously not FIA certified.
Corbea DFX

Another fixed back, non-shell seat. Metal frame with injection molded foam covering it. Good price point though.
Procar Pro Sports


Looking for experience with any of these seats or thoughts on using shell style seats in buggys? Any thoughts on safety or how well these will hold up in the sun/outdoors?Suggestions welcome! Am I a ******?

 

[Sean]

Might also take a look at Sparco's Sprint+ ....but, it's a tubular frame with a suspension cushion, so probably isn't a contender.

Sparco 008235NR - Seat Sprint 2019 Black

Sparco 008235NR - Seat Sprint 2019 BlackSeat - Sprint Sky - Non-Reclining - FIA Approved - Side Bolsters - Harness Openings - Steel Frame - Fire-******ant Non-Slip Fabric - Black - Each

www.cspracing.com

They are also available in large size....but I haven't found any in the regular size price range of $344....more like another $100...but they are FIA certified which is the main selling point for the price.

SPS - Numbers, Graphics and more since 1984

SPS has been providing autocross track day racing race car numbers, graphics and more since 1984. We are the St. Louis Racing gear headquarters with a select of helmets, gloves, harnesses and more in stock

soloperformance.com

 

['84 Bronco II]

I personally went with Kirkey 55 series seats with their covers and bought some SFI foam to add to the seat. They are a lot less bulky than your typical suspension seat.

 

[Ghetto Fab.]

I personally went with Kirkey 55 series seats with their covers and bought some SFI foam to add to the seat. They are a lot less bulky than your typical suspension seat.

Can you comment on the comfort level? Those really almost look like the perfect seat shape as far as I'm concerned and the price is definitely right. I also like the fact that the seat back can be mounted to the cage for added support. My only concern is lack of padding in the seats.

For those not aware of what a Kirkey is:
Kirkey 55

 

[bdkw1]

I wouldn't buy a seat unless you can sit in it first. Very few hardshell seats fit me. Suspension seats are a lot more forgiving on body type. You can also tighten the laces if they stretch a little.

 

[DocRamsay]

I wouldn't buy a seat unless you can sit in it first. Very few hardshell seats fit me. Suspension seats are a lot more forgiving on body type. You can also tighten the laces if they stretch a little.

What do you do if you're in the middle of nowhere and no seats to try out?

 

[bdkw1]

What do you do if you're in the middle of nowhere and no seats to try out?

Go to a race and ask to plop your ass in people's seats?

 

[bdkw1]

Can you comment on the comfort level? Those really almost look like the perfect seat shape as far as I'm concerned and the price is definitely right. I also like the fact that the seat back can be mounted to the cage for added support. My only concern is lack of padding in the seats.

For those not aware of what a Kirkey is:
Kirkey 55

To me that looks like a mid evil torture device. We had some cobra hardshell seats for 2 races. The owner (who had a lot of built in padding) loved them. Everyone else on the team hated them. After the second race we all refused to get into the truck till those seats were gone. The only hardshell I would consider would be a Sparco with a custom poured foam insert.

 

[TTMotorsports]

I bought the NRG seats for my current 68 Ford prerunner build. My friend has them in his built 84 Bronco prerunner and they're great so I went with them for my own truck

 

[Zg86]

Go to a race and ask to plop your ass in people's seats?

Thats what i did. Then i bought mastercrafts anyways because poor

 

[Ghetto Fab.]

To me that looks like a mid evil torture device. We had some cobra hardshell seats for 2 races. The owner (who had a lot of built in padding) loved them. Everyone else on the team hated them. After the second race we all refused to get into the truck till those seats were gone. The only hardshell I would consider would be a Sparco with a custom poured foam insert.

Not gonna argue with you on that one. They are definitely on the extreme end of hard shell seats. I do like the shape of them, but really need to try one out to be sure it would be comfortable. Interested in feedback from owners. Honestly was thinking since the seat is so basic it could be easy to modify it into what you want.

 

[Ghetto Fab.]

I bought the NRG seats for my current 68 Ford prerunner build. My friend has them in his built 84 Bronco prerunner and they're great so I went with them for my own truck

Which ones? They seem to make a few different styles.

 

[TTMotorsports]

FRP-300​

 

[gt1guy]

Another brand you might want to look into.

Ultrashield Seats

Ultra Shield Race Products | Texas, USA

Aluminum Seats, Race Seats, Tearoffs, Seat Belts, Harness, Arm Restraints, Window Nets, Racing Safety, Safety, Nets, Seats, SFI, Circle Track, Road Race, Hot Rod, Jet Boat, Sprint Car, Late Model, Modified, Dwarf, Legend, Mini Sprint, Micro Sprint, Drag R

www.ultrashieldrace.com

They will modify them just about any way you want. extra butt foam, more side bolster foam, you name it.

You start out filling out this form. Then they build the seat to fit you.

I had a full containment road race seat made for my '72 Camaro and was very surprised how comfortable it was. Felt like a glove.

 

[bdkw1]

Thats what i did. Then i bought mastercrafts anyways because poor

3G's are my favorite seat. I have thousands of race miles, pre-runnning and regular off road trips in them. I can spend 2 weeks in them easy.

 

[Zg86]

Yeah i got the nomads with the midget size shoulder harness holes….

 

[Weasel]

I'm not sure I'd worry about FIA rating, seems like all that means is they paid a special group a crap load of money to certify their seat conforms to some safety standard.

I like the hardshell seats as well but unsure what I'll end up with. Seems like alot of seat companies are all in the UTV stuff now and not so much the other rigs.

I browse these guy often for quality racing brands of various kinds of equipment: Auto Racing Seats - Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies

 

[gt1guy]

SFI or FIA ratings mean nothing to us and generally cost more. Sometimes you can buy the exact same part, one with the sticker and one without. The sticker ends up costing you more money. If you're racing and it's required, that's a different thing all together.

I'd say all the fiberglass, carbon fiber and aluminum shelled seats are going to feel the same when sitting in them. They're all rigid. Some are more dependent on having the seat back secured than others, so keep an eye out for that.

Only other thing I can think of is that fiberglass and carbon fiber seats need a UV coating on them if the exposed shell is seeing the sun. I'd think a couple coats of spray bomb paint would fix that but another thing to keep an eye out for.

Have fun picking seats..................................you only have a million choices.

 

[TiTRD]

My YJ came with fat boi Corbeau Baja SS. I think +4 wide and +4 height. They were extremely comfortable. I'm 6' tall and thin and didn't have any fitment issues with harnesses. Was nice that my head actually hit the headrest. Guy I bought it from was a big dude.

 

[cdemart2]

I have sparco evo.

The NRG fiberglass (FRP-3XX) are nice for the money.

UPR makes memory foam bases in 3 different heights