Bucket seat question

[Jonesy255]

Looking to convert my Puma into a Road Rally / Targa / autosolo car.

Not experienced in building one before, I don't have much space or the tools at the moment, so will look to use a specialist garage for some parts (roll cage, sump guard, spot lights).

I am hoping bucket seats and harnesses are easy enough to sort myself?

For bucket seats, is it as simple as getting a bucket seat and a seat mount that matches and they should bolt into where the existing seats are now? Is it worth getting a runner too, or do I just fit the drivers seat where it suits me? Am I missing anything?

Thanks.

 

[transporterT4]

The seats and harnesses should be easy enough to sort yourself. You do need to use the original seat fixings and I would advise fitting runners, this is because when you strap yourself in with the harnesses they should be tight so that they hold you firmly in the seat. This allows you to move your legs and arms freely to control the car without the feeling of 'holding on' if that makes sense. Finding this position is quite tricky and I still move my seat backwards and forwards most times I do a track day.

Harnesses should use the original seatbelts mounts, additional mounts may need strengthening, get some advice if you are not sure as you do not want them to let go !

 

[Jonesy255]

Thanks

 

[Chriscooke]

If you’re building a dedicated track/rally car then get a good cage. I’ve got a jc cages item in my fiesta which is really good for a “bolt in”. Depending how tall you are depends on how you want the seats mounted. I’m a little over 6 foot so wanted to be low. I got some proper weld in seat mounts that run from the sill to transmission tunnel allowing you to fix the side mount seat rails directly to them. If you’re racing I’d get an fia spec seat that fits you well. For harnesses I’ve gone for 6point sparco items. The shoulder straps mount directly to the cage meaning the straps are at the correct angle and the lap belts are connected to the Oem seatbelt points. This leave the other two straps which go through the base of the seat and are attached to proper spreader plates in the outside of the car.

 

[WideSam]

I’ve got a base mount with rails from my old KA sat in the garage… I think they’re the same fitting?
Also, regards the cage, if you’re building a targa car and need to keep the door cards in place, don’t put door bars in, or get ones that kink around them because it’s a nightmare otherwise!

 

[transporterT4]

Also I did forget to mention, look up the spec for the fitting position of the upper mounts for the harnesses as these must be high enough so that they do not compress your spine in an incident, you can find this on youtube

 

[WideSam]

Also I did forget to mention, look up the spec for the fitting position of the upper mounts for the harnesses as these must be high enough so that they do not compress your spine in an incident, you can find this on youtube

MSA blue book also gives this info. If you’re getting a cage put in, wrapping the harness around the harness bar is probably the easiest thing to do, plus it saves weight (about 5 grams, but weight nonetheless)