What comfortable seats are out there?

[Orange65]

To me, the most comfortable ones are in an Oldsmobile Alero. I have a pair in my truck that came out of an Alero- cost me $11K for those seats (beat that!) And the driver side is power!

[1988montecarloss 2]

80's GM g-body seats are the most comfortable ive come across, im 6ft 158lbs if that helps any haha

[200kss]

I couldn't take gbody seats anymore, but I'm under 6ft and more than 200lbs.

[Beagle]

I went to buy a Corvette one time when I was... kinda drunk. I made the mistake of sitting in an loaded up XLT Explorer and ended up driving it home. Most comfortable seats I'd ever sat in. Lots of adjustable junk on them.

[Dignlif]

I currently have leather faced buckets out of an 88 Mustnag GT. They have an extendable thigh bolster and that allows the submarine belt to come up at a good if not ideal spot. .

Hey Bill (or anyone else) can I see some pictures of how you attach the required support from the cage cross bar to the back of the seat? I kept meaning to look at Larry's car as his look like a normal bucket seat but never did. I have Kirkeys and after years of riding in them I've been thinking of getting something a little more comfortable.

[CDMBill]

One of the odd exceptions that seems to happen with the NHRA rules and tech inspections is that if you have stock seats or stock appearing seats they don't check for the brace. I don't have the seats connected to the cross bar of the cage. I understand that is not optimal from a safety standpoint but that is how its been for years and lots of inspections including the cage cert process. At Irwindale last Thursday they really gave me a thorough going over, two layer suit, window net, diaper/containment pan which I don't have yet. etc. nothing about the seat mount.

The fix would be to open up the seat, weld in a bar across the frame, add a tab to the new seat bar and bolt that tab to a matching tab that would be added to the cross bar on the cage.

[Bob Holmes]

A kirkey can be made much more comfortable by pouring a seat insert and, if you need more comfort, adding high density foam. Alternatively, you can add foam under the kirkey cover to greatly help. We mod everything else, so why not mod the seats?

[Dignlif]

I have modified the Kirkey a bit as far as the foam goes. I originally pulled out much of the foam to lower myself in the seat. My brother in law built his own plane and turned me onto the aviation memory foam he used on his seats so I put some of that in, two different thickness/ density's. The butt part is plenty comfortable. My problem is more how far out the thigh support goes forward which after a long day makes it feel like I have bruises in my thighs. I guess I can just try going with a wider Kirkey as that would probably solve that issue.

I've thought about lowering the profile of the thigh support of the seat but not sure that is a safe idea. I guess it's worth a try unless anyone has concerns.

[CDMBill]

Rich, if we're talking the side bolsters, I don't think its a huge issue to roll them out or 'adjust' them. If its a worry about containing the legs a six point belt will address that.

[Beagle]

Bugging the side or your leg or the bottom of it? Are they too narrow as the front of the seat? I like the modify them idea. Beat them into submission with a body hammer and dolly, or shorten them up if you can, maybe. I suspect a body man could make the length a bit shorter if it's getting into to the bottom of your leg or maybe put a bit of a roll on it like a good dinner table / chair has?

I can't see subtle alterations at the front of the seat making them significantly weaker, especially if your talking about the thigh support part on the side that is flapping in the breeze from a structural standpoint.

[Dignlif]

Yup you guys are on target, it's the part furthest down the leg that is buggin me as it is a bit too narrow. I'll try futsing with it to see if I can make it more comfortable before going to something else. As my friend the fabricator says, anything is possible with time and effort. thanks

[JOES66FURY]

I had a Dodge interpid a number of years back and found the seats to be very very comfortable, I found a set in the local pull-a-part for 60 bucks and if they are refinished in leather would (IMO) look like late 70's mopar high back buckets. I am a big guy too and found them to have ample surface area for my ample bottom.

[Caveman Tony]

Yup you guys are on target, it's the part furthest down the leg that is buggin me as it is a bit too narrow. I'll try futsing with it to see if I can make it more comfortable before going to something else. As my friend the fabricator says, anything is possible with time and effort. thanks

If you're gonna be beatin' on / bendin' aluminum, do yourself a favor: sand the area first

Get rid of the rough spots (welds, etc) then go to some finer paper (600-800 grit). It gets rid of all the stress risers in the material and will prevent it from cracking when you 'adjust' it.

Or you could just say 'screw it' and TIG up any crack that does pop up.