Add headrests to FFR seats?

[MB750]

Has anyone added headrests to the OEM FFR low seats? I like the idea of having a headrest mounted with the seat rather than on the roll bar, but I'm not interested in completely buying some different seats. I like the fit of these and don't want to lose it. Lots of them aftermarket ones have shoulder "wings" for racing, and are well over $1000 for a pair of decent ones (including covering and padding).

[RJD]

Here:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?36838-Headrests-mod

[OSU Cowboy]

I mounted my heads rests to the roll bars. The key to the whole thing was phenolic-lined stainless U-bolts from McMaster Carr - the idea being the phenolic won't mar the chrome surface of the bars. Hindsight says I'm not sure how much that matters as one they are adjusted and set they really aren't moved.

I think another cool aspect of my head rests is that there is sufficient clearance to wear a helmet on a track day or similar.

I did consider the idea of mounting to the seat back, but I didn't like the idea of removing the upholstery and then getting it all back into place.

[John4337]

I did it a while back, documented here.

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/another-seat-thread.413801/page-2

The photos have disappeared into the photo bucket black hole, but I moved them to my albums on this forum. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=2340

Hope it helps

[dbo_texas]

I bought a bunch of the parts for making the headrests, but ended up getting high back seats instead. I bought the wheelchair leg rest pads and roll bar clamps. Planning to sell them as a kit at some point when I have time.
Clamps (come w/ rubber inserts so won't damage the chrome): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FETT3FO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1EQP448COWZL4&psc=1
Headrests: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0711YNQ7R/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3JF6MTZ8QD9UK&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0711YNQ7R/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3JF6MTZ8QD9UK&psc=1)

With this setup I was planning to make a steel spanner between the clamps to mount the headrest. The headrest pad thickness is pretty minimal on these, so I was going to have an upholsterer increase the pad thickness too. That was the plan at least...

[MB750]

I did it a while back, documented here.

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/another-seat-thread.413801/page-2

The photos have disappeared into the photo bucket black hole, but I moved them to my albums on this forum. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=2340

Hope it helps

Thanks John. This is exactly what I had in mind, I just wasn't expecting the $700 pricetag for just the headrests though.

[John4337]

Thanks John. This is exactly what I had in mind, I just wasn't expecting the $700 pricetag for just the headrests though.

Yeah, they have gone up quite a bit, and I shopped them around and got them cheaper than TMI had them listed. That being said, you don’t have to use those specific headrest since the mounting bracket doesn’t work anyway, you’ll have to make your own, so any headrest will work, all you have to do is adjust your mounting method to fit the posts on whatever headrest you choose that should cut the cost somewhat.

[MPTech]

....... but ended up getting high back seats instead.

What seats did you go with? Have you installed them yet and how do you like them?

[MB750]

Yeah, they have gone up quite a bit, and I shopped them around and got them cheaper than TMI had them listed. That being said, you don’t have to use those specific headrest since the mounting bracket doesn’t work anyway, you’ll have to make your own, so any headrest will work, all you have to do is adjust your mounting method to fit the posts on whatever headrest you choose that should cut the cost somewhat.

Fabricating is my wheelhouse. I may just hit up the salvage yard for a pair of clean black ones, then gut the innards out of the seats while I'm there.

[John4337]

Fabricating is my wheelhouse. I may just hit up the salvage yard for a pair of clean black ones, then gut the innards out of the seats while I'm there.

If I did it again, I'd try to make a single post type work, would be less interference with the shoulder harnesses.

[MB750]

If I did it again, I'd try to make a single post type work, would be less interference with the shoulder harnesses.

I thought about making something like that out of a motorcycle backrest pad and some steel. They could be adjustable, but with a wingnut and bolt instead of something quick and sleek like the OEM's do. I got stuck on how to get through the leather cleanly.

[John4337]

I thought about making something like that out of a motorcycle backrest pad and some steel. They could be adjustable, but with a wingnut and bolt instead of something quick and sleek like the OEM's do. I got stuck on how to get through the leather cleanly.

I think MGB’s and Jags use a single post type, if you could get that hardware and the plastic guide sleeve, you could probably make a go if it.

[dbo_texas]

What seats did you go with? Have you installed them yet and how do you like them?

Went with Intatrim Stoneleigh. A couple of folks have used them in Roadsters with good comments. I haven't mounted mine yet but planning to use the Breeze seat mounts. Here's a pic of mine:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?40632-ATX-MKIV-9644-Coyote-Build-Thread-(Index-Post-136)&p=521867&viewfull=1#post521867

Check out Hacksaw84's build - his are mounted and look awesome. Link to his album (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=2157)