Has anyone put a 18" low back Kirkey in MK4?

[wareaglescott]

Curious if it will fit?
I currently have the 16" high backs. Considering making a late change and swapping to low backs. I have a friend with an 18" low back that he previously had in a Unique. He is a couple hours from me but said I could borrow it temporarily to check fit before ordering my own if I decide to go that direction. Trying to determine if it is worth the effort to go get it or if it won't fit at all. I know there is not a lot of room around my 16" high back seats. I am confident the 17" would fit but not sure of the 18". Also that measurement is the inside width in the seating area not the total width of the seat. The kirkey website shows the total width of 19.5" and I would need room for the lap belts. Possibly the low back has a different exterior profile that would make it more suitable.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks
Scott

[johnnybgoode]

Here's a link to the thread I posted on other forum re: my Kirkey install in my MKII. I felt that the 18" seats were too large, I trial fit one, and went with the 17's that I'm very happy with. There is a post near the end of the thread from another member that installed the 18's with no issues. So not sure if this helps clarify or not. Regards Scott
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/576577-kirkey-racing-417v-install.html

[wareaglescott]

good info Scott. thanks for posting!

[Straversi]

I ordered 18's and sent them back. They fit but they would sit further forward than the 17's. I say they fit but I never had them in with the body on so "fit" is questionable

[wareaglescott]

I ordered 18's and sent them back. They fit but they would sit further forward than the 17's. I say they fit but I never had them in with the body on so "fit" is questionable

Thanks Steve. Just for clarification you comment about the fit being questionable was referring to the 18s? No issues with the 17s? At my height I need to be as far back as possible. Will the 17s allow for mounting so the back of the seat is pretty much at the rear cockpit wall?

[CraigS]

"Conventional wisdom" is that 17s are as wide as you can go. Many years ago I spread the sides of my Ultrashield (Very similar to kirkey) w/ a jack and some blocks of wood so that may work for you.

[wareaglescott]

"Conventional wisdom" is that 17s are as wide as you can go. Many years ago I spread the sides of my Ultrashield (Very similar to kirkey) w/ a jack and some blocks of wood so that may work for you.

Thanks Craig. I fit fine in my 16s. Future planned growth may make the 17 a good option! haha
I was mainly asking about the 18s because I had a friend that had one I could try before ordering my own but it was out of the way to go get them and I was trying to determine is getting it was a waste of time or not.
If I decide to swap away from my high backs I will likely just order the 17s. Now my only worry is the heat/sweat factor of those vinyl covers in the southern heat and humidity.

[Straversi]

Thanks Steve. Just for clarification you comment about the fit being questionable was referring to the 18s? No issues with the 17s? At my height I need to be as far back as possible. Will the 17s allow for mounting so the back of the seat is pretty much at the rear cockpit wall?

The 17's go all the way back. The 18's would not go back as far. Hard to describe with all the odd angles in that area but I could see that the 18's would have cost me over an inch of leg room so I sent them back.

[Duke]

I believe mine are low back 19 and fit. Check my build thread, I'm sure on page 1 or 2 I list out which ones I have. Custom foam and covers were pricey though, I think $1300 or so just for the custom work not including cutting the sides down a little. I built sliders for both but will probably ditch them as my wife has declared she has no plans to drive it. She instead has her eye on the new porsche wagon. I'll keep the sliders for future use just in case.

Edit: Just looked, they are 17", not 19". They are WIDE too and I'm a 34/36" waist. I have about 1 1/4" of foam on each side and I still have a little play.

[wareaglescott]

I believe mine are low back 19 and fit. Check my build thread, I'm sure on page 1 or 2 I list out which ones I have. Custom foam and covers were pricey though, I think $1300 or so just for the custom work not including cutting the sides down a little. I built sliders for both but will probably ditch them as my wife has declared she has no plans to drive it. She instead has her eye on the new porsche wagon. I'll keep the sliders for future use just in case.

Edit: Just looked, they are 17", not 19". They are WIDE too and I'm a 34/36" waist. I have about 1 1/4" of foam on each side and I still have a little play.

Ha was wondering about that Ryan before the edit. I think 18 is the widest they make. Will check out your thread to see the custom work. Thanks.

[CraigS]

Wareagle, if you or a friend are a little skilled w/ a sewing machine, order a cover for a 41 series pro drag seat
https://www.kirkeyracing.com/product/20/41317/COVER-41317-GRAY-TWEED-FITS-41300
Black, grey and red available.
Then remove the headrest portion. If you look at the shop drawings you can see that the lower part of the seats is the same. Start w/ a classic and add a head rest and you have a pro drag. Add shoulder wings to a pro drag and you have a road race seat.

[wareaglescott]

Wareagle, if you or a friend are a little skilled w/ a sewing machine, order a cover for a 41 series pro drag seat
https://www.kirkeyracing.com/product/20/41317/COVER-41317-GRAY-TWEED-FITS-41300
Black, grey and red available.
Then remove the headrest portion. If you look at the shop drawings you can see that the lower part of the seats is the same. Start w/ a classic and add a head rest and you have a pro drag. Add shoulder wings to a pro drag and you have a road race seat.

Good idea Craig. Looks like the snaps that hold it on are in the same spot. I think that would work.

[CraigS]

And if you need to move snaps a bit it is no biggie. Drill out a rivet, drill a new hole, install a new rivet. A comment although a little off by brand. I have an Ultrashield w/ grey fabric. When it gets hot, the seat is not even a concern as it is fine.