Bucket seats, advice please

duncanpage4 · Jan 3, 2015

Hi everyone.
Having played around with my Freelander a bit more lately I've realised I hate the front seats. I'm 6'1" & have broad shoulders & the top on the standard cloth seats are sitting in my shoulder blades, which means it doesn't stop me sliding in my seat & it isn't comfortable. Also the front seats are getting tatty & need repairing.
Which got me thinking, instead of recovering them why not swap them for bucket seats? Has anyone done this? Can you recommend some seats that are a straight swap? Or is it a case of unbolting the frame and welding the bucket seats on them?

My Td4 is a 3 door so will need the seats to fold.
I don't want to fit seat covers because I've had them before & just got irritated when the covers bunch up & crease (OCD!!).
I know most bucket seats are tiny but there must be some that are wide enough to cope with my large shoulders.
My cousins MX5 is tight on space but the Freelander has plenty of room to move!

NoDosh · Jan 3, 2015

You can get Recaro custom mounts for the Freelander (post 10/2000) from Germany but they are £180 per side, plus the cost of a seat (405mm x 275mm centres on the mounts, so not just Recaro fit them). The pre 2000 ones aren't in stock anywhere as far as I can see.

Others have modified the Freelander seat base to accept other seats - but quality welding is the key here.

As regards seats, if you are modifying mounts anyway then the world is your oyster. Given your height, sports seats with high sides are going to make getting in and out a bit of a chore. Definitely try before you buy!

dave21478 · Jan 3, 2015

I have a Demon Tweeks catalogue here which gives detailed seat sizes to help you choose. However tilting buckets are generally more in line with boy racers "all show no go" suppliers rather than motorsport places, but it will give you some ideas.

As for mounting, I am considering doing this myself and will make my own frames - I aint paying 200 sheets for a couple of bits of folded steel when I am more than capable of making something that will position the seat exactly where I want it. Remember that aftermarket mounting frames combined with various styles of buckets will very possibly leave your ass higher or lower than originally, so might not be ideal.

Mine is a commercial though, so folding is of no interest.

dave21478 · Jan 3, 2015

Oh, and actual bucket seats tend to wear out the fabric pretty fast on road cars where you get in and out a lot more often than they are designed for in race cars. The higher sides mean its impossible to get in and out without dragging yourself over the bolsters.

ZDomZ · Jan 3, 2015

I had a set of cobra Daytonas in a mini many years ago. They have improved the style but not the design much. I am 6'3 and. Found them awesome seats.. I would have another set in a heartbeat.

Diesel Do · Jan 4, 2015

I did it

ZDomZ · Jan 4, 2015

Those look very similar to the Daytonas, but yours are really grubby........ You been driving in your overalls?

Diesel Do · Jan 4, 2015

Yup they're minging

RealBeale · Jan 5, 2015

Here's AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson in my old V6 with the Race2Recovery team. When I owned the vehicle I modified the original seat bases so I could fit Cobra Bucket seats. Looks like they've used girders from the 4th bridge , with packers. Doesn't look too professional though.

duncanpage4 · Jan 6, 2015

Thanks for all the advice.
I guess my first step is to find some bucket seats that are comfortable and fit my size nicely and then fabricate my own base using the existing ones.
Better dust off the welder then!

Bucket seats, advice please

duncanpage4

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