What seats do I fit?

[thelastmanonearth]

I've had my 1987 Sierra soft top for about 6 years and never driven it any great distance because I find it just too uncomfortable on road. I currently have the floor mats out and am mucking around with some underfelt so that when my knee rests of the transmission mound it doesn't get bruised. What I think I really need, though, are some seats that provide better adjustment and more support for my legs and to lift change their angle up a bit.

It'd be nice if the column was adjustable but seeing it isn't I want to get everything from the seat. Are the seats from the later models any better? What about the ones available online from the US for about $USD 295 or a set of Seats from another suzuki model (maybe a GTI). I would prefer not to change the seat mounts or have to get engineering approval and have potential insurance problems with insurance if I change the seats to something else.

Could a trimmer make the seat base firmer and change the seat so it lifts my legs higher. You blokes are the experts, what should I do?

I have previously had the car retrimmed - but didn't pay any special attention to the seat. Also I think the reclining mechanism should go one notch further forward than it does (and has since I've owned the car) can this be fixed? Is there anything you've tried that didn't work before I have ago at that?

I'm about 6 foot tall and (yes I'm on a diet) over 100kg - a fair bit (but I've got all my own teeth)

Thanks,

TLMOE

[gwagensteve]

G'day mate - sorry for the delay in replying.

There isn't really a bolt in seat option. I have played with a few different seats in sierras though.

Apparently Mazda MX-5 and honda CR-X seats are very close to a bolt in, but it is hard to find them in good condition as they are light weight seats that don't wear very well.

GTi seats are OK, as are Baleno GTX seats, but they won't bolt in - there will be some work.

Autotechnica seats are also very close to a bolt in, but personally I think they are poor quality.

I have had Sparco sprint fixed back race seats and Recaros in my sierra, but I made my own bases in both instances. It's not hard to remove the sierra seat from it's sliders and bolt a new seat on top, but it might create a legal/insurance grey area - plenty of people do change seats though (and make insurance claims)

I agree about the crook ergonomics though. I'm going to put a tilt column in my next car, using the column from a vitara. They have a very small range of movement though, and aren't adjustable for reach, which would be nice.

I've recently pulled a couple of Mazda MX-6 seats form the wreckers to go in a sierra. They don't look like they will be too hard to fit, but they won't bolt in.

I've had a good look at modifying the ratchet to allow a more upright seating position, but it's not feasible in my opinion.

Here's a couple of photos of my seating setups.

[thelastmanonearth]

Can anyone tell me how to go about getting a set of better seats for my 1987 Sierra?

I think the wrecker said later model seats don't fit (different bolt holes). So, does that mean I will need engineeering approval. And if that is a realistic option, where would you recommend I get seats from?

Regards

LMOE
Sometimes, when I'm out on the track, it feels like I'm the last man on earth. So, who do I winch off?

[thelastmanonearth]

Thanks gwagensteve,

It'd be a shame to replace the car just becuase I can't get the seat set up right. I appreciate your help and hearing I'm not the only one who is uncomfortable.

And sorry (everyone) I've accidentally asked this question a couple more times, feel free to hang it one me...

LMOE

[gwagensteve]

Goodness, there's no reason to sell the car because you can't get comfortable with a stock seat.

If you have some money to throw at the problem, take the car to idealseat. They manufacture legal seat bases to suit any car, and will supply the right seat for your application.

http://www.idealseat.com.au/html/contact.html

Bear in mind though, a "cheap" Recaro is around $1200, with another $250 or so in base and fitting.

Obviously, I have Recaros in my Sierra (which are massive overkill for the car) - these were in my folks landcruiser before I acquired them, and I made my own bases using the Recaro slides, but I also have a Recaro in my road car, and it will go into my next road car - I've had it 6 years and 220,000km or so now. Each time I change car I just contact Idealseat and they supply a new base.

I'm pretty sure nobody has ever engineered a car just because of a change in seat. The driver's side rail is pretty easy to work with in a Sierra and many seats can be fitted easily, it's just than none bolt in. We've had lots of sierras with lots of different seats in them in the club.

Also, have a good think about steering wheel position. The Sierra wheel is very flat, an I find it's too far away from me, even with a seat with appropriate backrest angle. All non-airbag suzukis have the same spline, so you can swap a smaller wheel with more "dish" (like the Baleno/2.0 vitara wheel I use) that will put the wheel closer to you, which improves ergonomics.

No, Its not worth getting your stock seat re padded.

Steve.

[sierrajim]

I ran Paratus seats in my old red car, I'm similar dimensions to you and found them to be comfortable.

These again aren't the cheapest things around.

[neofitou]

And sorry (everyone) I've accidentally asked this question a couple more times, feel free to hang it one me...

Merged!