Adjustable Seat Rail .... To do or not to do?

[rvanstory]

I have the adjustable seat rail from FFR. But, I'm not sure I need it. At 6'2" and even adding an inch in height could leave my knees too close to steering wheel. Second, I would NEVER need to move it forward and my wife will probably never drive it. If she did, I think she could still reach pedals just fine.

Is there anyone out there who would encourage me to add it VS just bolting seat to floor? It appears, IF it is needed, it can be added later on. Thoughts???

[michael everson]

With your situation, I would just bolt the seat to the floor. With the Kirkeys, I bolt the back flat to the floor then make steel angle brackets for the front. Bolt the L to the floor and the other end of the L to the front face of the bottom of the seat.
Mike

[RogerRoger88]

I’m in the same boat. I’m 6’2”, but my wife is only 5’3” so she wouldn’t be able to reach the pedals. She will drive it from time to time. I’m planning on doing the seat tracks.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Back in 2011 or 2012 I built one for a customer who was sure that he needed to have an adjustable seat, so I put a track in it. He recently told me that he has moved the seat exactly zero times :D

Jeff

[gbranham]

I used the FFR seat tracks on my first build (a MkIII) back in 2005, and never used it. On my current build, I'm skipping them, and using Breeze's angled seat mount, which does allow for some adjustability, albeit with a bit more work. I'm 6'1", and my wife is 5'0"...she'll never drive it. My test-fit initial impression of Breeze's angled seat mount is that the slight angle adds a ton to driving comfort. Having the seat flat on the floor is just a bad feel, for me at least.

[rvanstory]

Thank you all for your responses. Very helpful insghts for making a decision.

[Nigel Allen]

In Australia, our regulations mandate seat adjusters. I'm 5 foot 6 and have seat all the way back, never will need to move it forward. As you are tall, you will want to keep the seat as low as possible to avoid your vision being blocked by the top of the windscreen.

Caveat: using custom made high back seats with headrest. In the most rearward position, probably sit 2 inches forward compared to FFR seats

[F500guy]

Here is my story, having just done that. A lot of work, don't use the details from F5. I did it so I can have others drive the car, my son is 6'2 I am 5'6, he drove my car pretty comfortable yesterday with the slider all the way back. The steering wheel can be raise a bit if needed, my son did not have his knees in the steering wheel. I have the slider about 3 inches forward from the rear. On my Miata, I put my seat in different position depending on when I am cruising and when I am driving hard, so I wanted that option. I also see all the stuff that accumulates behind the seat when I drive my Miata with the top down, I wanted to be able to get access to behind the seat, passenger side will only be moved for that reason. I put it on both sides to make them the same. If I was to do it again, I would consider the Breeze mount. I also used a different slider, Sparco which lock both rails and requires the handle to be lifted to unlock the sliders. You can see the details in my thread. I wish had a picture of my son in the car, that would show a lot.

[Alan_C]

I installed the adjustable seat track in my MK4. Although only 5'5", I still liked the seat all the way back and it was never moved except for cleaning. The second owner, although a bit taller than me, liked the seat further forward. So in my case, the adjustable seat tracks became a selling feature LOL.

[Norm B]

I have one and have moved the seat three times. Once to get something my wife dropped behind the seat. Another time to vacuum, and the last time was to put a Hidden Audio system behind the seat. Not really necessary.

Norm

[Rebostar]

I'm also 6'2" 200lbs. I added the FFR seat adjusters AND added a pair of 1.5" sloped risers to raise the front of the seat. My legs fit perfect, no interferance with the wheel or dash. I had a 2004 BMW Z4 that I had to sell because the seat was so low I could hardly walk after 2 hours of driving. I had to raise the front of the Cobra seat for my comfort. Stick the seat in and mock/block it up till its the most comfortable then you'll know whats gonna work for you.

201785201786

[SourceLee]

Pro sliders here. I never like to paint myself into a corner. I like to keep my options open for unforeseen circumstances! I’ve used my sliders quite often. Dropped ear pods, phone, keys behind the seat and the sliders helped. I slide the seat forward to vacuum behind the seat. I keep my paperwork behind the passenger seat (slide forward, slide back).

[Alec]

I'd say no.

I'm 5'10, my co-owner/BIL is 6'4. I used the kirkey low-backs from FFR, hard-mounted to the floor with these mounting brackets: https://www.amazon.com/Kirkey-Racing-99214-Mounting-Brackets/dp/B09K818JPK. THe top back of the seat is touching the rear wall, with the front of the seat elevated. At that angle the seat is as rearword as it will go. I can still reach the pedals no problem. I did add a pedal stop for the clutch pedal so that I can avoid hyperextending my left leg when pressing the clutch all the way in. I also raised up the steering wheel a good couple of inches or more by elevating the pillow bracket, so that my BIL's knees don't interfere with steering. We both drive the car no-problem; very comfortable position for both of us. Let me know if you want more details. Those brackets have lots of options for the exact angle of the seat that you find most comfortable.

[Ray from Long Island]

I agree, angle the seat fronts slightly upward. It makes a big difference in the comfort level, especially for longer rides..
I used the Breeze product and it is great, but you could accomplish the same effect different ways.
Ray

[CraigS]

Especially if you go w/ a Kirkey, I'd mount it all the way back and tilt as wanted. BTW, the kirkey is by far the thinnest seat back so gives you the most leg room. Also the design w/ the cover being retained by snaps makes it very easy to ad a bit of foam here or there, for lumbar support for instance. Also due to their design which you sit in vs on, it is easy to make a cushion for your wife if you need to. Don't be in a hurry to bolt it down. I stuck pieces of wood on the floor to decide on the fore/aft position. I stuck more pieces of wood under the front to decide on the tilt angle. You can make the pieces of wood reasonably secure w/ duct tape for your trials.

[john42]

I'd say no.

I'm 5'10, my co-owner/BIL is 6'4. I used the kirkey low-backs from FFR, hard-mounted to the floor with these mounting brackets: https://www.amazon.com/Kirkey-Racing-99214-Mounting-Brackets/dp/B09K818JPK. THe top back of the seat is touching the rear wall, with the front of the seat elevated. At that angle the seat is as rearword as it will go. I can still reach the pedals no problem. I did add a pedal stop for the clutch pedal so that I can avoid hyperextending my left leg when pressing the clutch all the way in. I also raised up the steering wheel a good couple of inches or more by elevating the pillow bracket, so that my BIL's knees don't interfere with steering. We both drive the car no-problem; very comfortable position for both of us. Let me know if you want more details. Those brackets have lots of options for the exact angle of the seat that you find most comfortable.

This is exactly my setup as well. Very comfortable. Also got some nice gel cushion inserts for the bottom of the seats. I find the Cobra more comfortable then my daily driver.

[Cutter 54]

This is exactly my setup as well. Very comfortable. Also got some nice gel cushion inserts for the bottom of the seats. I find the Cobra more comfortable then my daily driver.

Can you share with us what seat cushion gel insert you used for the seat bottom? Did you try the foam material offered by Kirkey?
I have the Kirkey drag seats and will soon finalize my seating details, and will need lumbar support. Thanks in advance.

[john42]

Can you share with us what seat cushion gel insert you used for the seat bottom? Did you try the foam material offered by Kirkey?
I have the Kirkey drag seats and will soon finalize my seating details, and will need lumbar support. Thanks in advance.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N1DF5HH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[CaptB]

I'm 6' tall, I bolted a sliding seat would do nothing for me. Maybe if I sold it they would appreciate it.

[BrewCityCobra]

I put in the tracks with the full knowledge they will be used very rarely (especially on the passenger side). I actually figured they may be useful just for cleaning the cockpit out so I can get behind the seats.

All that said, I typically like to sit closer to the wheel when tracking than versus day-to-day driving so I figured the juice was worth the squeeze. I'm sure you can get away without it though if you think the work involved is too much.

[jgray]

I'm 6' 4'' and am building a Type 65. I've got the low back Kirkeys and am going to see if I can make these work before trying anything else. Useful info I've picked up from this thread is to raise the front and use gel inserts. I am also wondering if I can cut the sides of the Aluminum tub to get the seat further back between the seatbelt connections - I realize it would be a real hack. Perhaps the tilting the seat back a little is what I need. I will be experimenting with some wood under the front tonight!