Installing Kirkey Racing Seats

[Brando]

I can't find documentation on how to install the Kirkey racing seats. I contacted FFR and their response was "they are designed to bolt directly to the floor with no brackets. It is up to the customer to fabricate what they might need."
So then if I am understanding this correctly, i'm just drilling a hole through my seat into the chassis and throwing a washer on a bolt with a nylon locking nut and that's it?

[D Clary]

In the past I have used them and that's pretty much it. you need to make some sort of brackets, usually on the bottom and on the back below the harness hole to position the seat where you need it

[Santiago]

Kirkey's Intermediate Road Race seat requires you to drill into it according to your mounting method of choice. If you're doing sliders, you might just drill through the base of the seat to mount them, then bolt the sliders to the frame. Like this:

25412

If you're doing a fixed mount, many folks will opt for using side-brackets (like Kirkey's own side-mount brkts). Like this:

25416

Or some folks use both, like this:

25411

Lots of options with these seats, which is why you got the response you did.

Best,
-j

[wallace18]

I can't find documentation on how to install the Kirkey racing seats. I contacted FFR and their response was "they are designed to bolt directly to the floor with no brackets. It is up to the customer to fabricate what they might need."
So then if I am understanding this correctly, i'm just drilling a hole through my seat into the chassis and throwing a washer on a bolt with a nylon locking nut and that's it?

Look at my build thread and you can see how I mounted mine.

[Brando]

Ah there it is. Kirkey's own side-mount brkts...that's what I was looking for. I'm still surprised there wasn't any sort of brackets included with the seat/kit.

Wallace were the brackets you used on yours provided by ffr or did you source those?

edit: Just found them - ordered - Thanks!

[RandyB]

edit: Just found them - ordered - Thanks!

Please share where you found them. Thanks.

[metalmaker12]

I got kirkeys also. I used FFR first set of seat brackets, but they don't have that style any longer.

[drdracing]

I also used the Kirkey brackets. The holes did not line up with the cross members in the frame where I wanted to mount the seats. So I had to weld in some flat stock . I lined up the holes on the inboard mounts, and added the flat stock for the outboard seat mounts.

[Brando]

Please share where you found them. Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirkey-Racing-99204-Aluminum-Universal-Seat-Brackets-KIR99204-/321180462559?pt=Race_Car_Parts&hash=item4ac7d8eddf&vxp=mtr

[D Clary]

When you finalize your order did they give you a choice on seat width?

[Brando]

Are you referring to the seat or brackets? The brackets are 2 pc so i'm thinking you are asking about the seat. No on both, but Kirkey offers a variety of sizes and custom shaped seats

[MPTech]

If you're doing a fixed mount, many folks will opt for using side-brackets (like Kirkey's own side-mount brkts). Like this:

25416




I understand you can mount them however you like, but is this bracket backwards?

[Brando]

From what i'm reading and just looking at the fitment of the seat the brackets wont line up with the square chassis tubing. I noticed some have welded either a sheet or 2 strips of steel to the chassis and then mounted the brackets to that steel. Is it acceptable to bolt 2 steel strips to the chassis as opposed to welding it?

[Santiago]

I understand you can mount them however you like, but is this bracket backwards?

Depends on what sort of adjustment you need in your particular application. That wasn't my car, so I can't say what range he needed/wanted for his chassis. In my Mustang I have them flipped, so for me I would also think this is "backwards" but that's just what works for my set up there (and I suspect lots of other folks would find the same thing in their cars).

Brando, I don't see why you can't bolt in an appropriate base as opposed to welding it. Keep in mind most production cars have their seats mounted to sliders that bolt into the chassis. Plenty of folks will use the side mount brackets and find a way to bolt them to another bracket that is bolted in the OEM slider position (or use the OEM sliders as the base for the side mount brackets). So it sounds like you're proposing the same basic method (ex: bolt seat to bracket, bracket to OEM slider, OEM slider to chassis). Of course, details matter, but it works in principle.

Best,
-j

[drdracing]

I got mine from Summit. Part Number: KIR-99204. They can be mounted any way depending on how much seat angulation adjustment you want.

[wleehendrick]

From what i'm reading and just looking at the fitment of the seat the brackets wont line up with the square chassis tubing. I noticed some have welded either a sheet or 2 strips of steel to the chassis and then mounted the brackets to that steel. Is it acceptable to bolt 2 steel strips to the chassis as opposed to welding it?

I'm in the same situation; my sidemounts aren't long enough to reach the frame rails. My plan is to use two strips (2-3" wide) of 1/4" Aluminum plate drilled and bolted as you described. Sparco's Al sidemounts are 1/4" thick and FIA approved, so I would hope this would be safe. Any input?

[FFRSpec72]

Has anyone fabricated a seat back brace yet ? If so where on the frame did you attach this ?

[D Clary]

If they don't offer an option on the seat width I will probably source my own. I am not very big and don't want to slide around in a 22 inch seat.

[FFRSpec72]

If they don't offer an option on the seat width I will probably source my own. I am not very big and don't want to slide around in a 22 inch seat.

I thought the width was 16"?

[D Clary]

I don't know what they offer yet. 16 inch would be ok, a lot of seat are wookie sized. I' talk to them when they call. My date is June 14 so I still have time to make plans

[Brando]

Not sure if this helps but i'm 6'5" 225 and fit perfectly into the seat. It seems on the larger side but I haven't sat in more than a handful of racing seats so i'm lacking contrast

[Santiago]

FFR may have a standard seat on hand, but Kirkey typically makes these in 1" increments. You should be able to measure yourself and get the right fit.

A popular method for measuring your width requirements is as follows:
- Sit on a table, back straight
- Place two thick books (hard back) alongside your outer thighs so that they are parallel
- Have someone measure the inside distance (or carefully slide off the table w/o disrupting the books - books need to be thick enough to stand unaided)

You're now measured.
Purchase seat.

Best,
-j

[metalmaker12]

Mine are 16" wide. I have a 32-34 waist 5'9" and 185. I fit in just right.