SRT4 seats installation

[rejracer]

Procedure:

1. procure seats.

 

Preparing the seats:

2. remove the SRT4 factory seat mounts from the seat rails. This is best accomplished with a die grinder and cutting wheel.

3. place bolts in the existing bolt holes so they protrude downward. I believe I used M8x1.25x45 Class 10.9 bolts. When you are done make sure that the flats of the bolt head run front to rear, and that they are parallel to the slide rails. If you dont then the extra width of the bolt head will come in contact with the inner seat rail and you won't be able to slide the seats. Tighten them down real good and you will not have a problem with them coming loose either. Basically you will be using these as studs, only you don't have to play around with locktight.

 

 

Preparing the car to accept the seats:

3. For the mounting holes on the car use the original hole for the rear outer. You will need to drill a new hole in the Z's rear inner seat mount for the other side. To get the right distance measure the rear seat studs width and transfer that to the seat mounts. Punch, and drill.

4. For the fronts you will need to do one out of 2 things. A) drill a new hole in the seat that lines up front to rear with the forward mount. Then drill new holes in the forward mount to match. The only drawback to this is it's hard to fish a bolt down into the new hole in the seat rail that far down. It can be done but it makes the finished product more difficult to work with.

Fabricate some "L" brackets and bolt them to the existing seat mount points. I did this by bending some 1.5"X.125 thick" flat stock . I want to say it was about a 105* angle, but basically you just match the angle of the seat rails. Be sure that to put a radius on the bend to match the radius of the OE front mount. I welded a gusset in using 16ga sheet metal to add rigidity. Once the brackets are made put the seats in and take some measurements to drill the holes for the seat to bracket hole, and Bracket to car holes. You will notice that the OE ribbing on the factory seat mount gets in the way. I flattened those area out with some large hammers.

 

When positioning the front mounts pay particular attention to the angle at which you mount them. This will affect the distance that you can adjust the seats as well as how the slide rail lock mechanism works. When it's all lined up properly you will have the full range of motion, will be able to access the backrest adjuster lever and it won't rub on the tunnel. Tighten all the bolts down and you are done.

 

The finished product works very well. It allows a full range of motion, and feels solid. The SRT4 seats are slightly taller, but do not hit the headliner. Over all it's a great mod. I don't have pics yet, but I should have them in a few weeks.

 

They are not the easiest seat to install, but I think the finished product is worth it.

 

if I had this mod to do over again I would take a look at what it would take to move the seat rails closer together. When I started this project I did not have the welder, and did not consider moving the rails a viable option.

[BobbyZ]

Thanks for the writeup. Do you have any pictures of the final mounting.

[panachedk]

yes, final pics, please!

[rejracer]

I will get some finished installation pictures in a few days. For the time being, here is some how to info.

 

 

Grinding the brackets off the rails:

 

 

 

 

When done it should look like this:

 

 

 

 

Then put the bolts through the existing threaded holes like such:

 

 

then tighten the bolts down so they are really tight, and two of the head flats are parallel with the rail. This works with 13mm head bolts. It might not work with 14mm head bolts, and 12's you might not even need to worry about the whole parallel bit. If it slides freely you know its good.

 

 

This is the incorrect way to have the bolt installed. tighten it down a half flat further!

 

 

 

This is the correct way to have them installed:

 

Just the little bit of width from the crowns versus the flats makes this work or not work. An alternate method would be to use studs and either epoxy, loctight, or tack weld them in so they don't turn on you while tightening the nuts down on final installation.

 

 

I don't have finished pictures yet, but i still need to pull the brackets off to paint them, so I will get the final pics as well the details on the brackets up in about a weeks time.

 

Here are hi res (haha camera phone) links:

http://photo.ringo.com/251/251894716O766390431.jpg

http://photo.ringo.com/251/251894698O124141342.jpg

http://photo.ringo.com/251/251894700O282118464.jpg

http://photo.ringo.com/251/251894704O135187031.jpg

http://photo.ringo.com/251/251894767O412185363.jpg (hrm... what is that I see where the drivers side seat should be? )

http://photo.ringo.com/251/251894771O545160212.jpg

[rejracer]

here are the final install pictures. The hi resolution links for each photo is below the particular image.

 

Notice the height.

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133557O745675152.jpg

 

 

All the way forward, and it's very tight squeeze. This seat install is S.A.C. (short asian compliant).

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133564O383960259.jpg

 

Are those holes I see in the floor board? Notice the lower rear of the seat, it rests against the seatbelt mech, in other words full motion. Good enough for someone about 6'2 in my estimates. I am 5'7, my dad 5'10, and he could not reach the pedals this far back.

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133574O139739855.jpg

 

 

On the inside you have 1 inch clearance to the tunnel. Nice and snug fit and aligns the driver up with the steering wheel. instead of rubbing your shoulder on the door, you will rub shoulders with the passenger!

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133605O074018263.jpg

 

 

To the cat that left the nice mark on the seat: Your fate awaits you. For the rest of you... notice the easy access to the backrest lever, it's about 2 inches clearance. Your fate awaits you too, but I'm sure it much better than the cat's.

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133610O995129314.jpg

 

Passenger side. This is all the way back for the backrest in that angle. If you push the backrest forward the rear of the bottom portion of the seat will hit evenly on the inner and outer seatbelt mount points. Take your time aligning them to get it right, it will pay off.

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133622O767732539.jpg

 

The only downside to this side to side alignment is that the new hole that you drill on the inner mount point. The position is not totally flat. Liberal application of force on tightening the nuts up seems to resolve this. I may get creative with the new welder and some flat stock to rectify the situation.

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133631O637983956.jpg

 

A better shot of the passenger side head rest clearance. It's pretty good, about 2 to 4 inches.

http://photo.ringo.com/252/252133635O739555407.jpg

 

 

Thats it for the fitting of the seats. I still need to remove them and get the brackets painted and pictures of the brackets themselves. I need to get the seats cleaned as well.

[BobbyZ]

Those look really good!! Mind if I ask how much you payed for them?

[rejracer]

400 locally(Sacramento, CA area). I shopped around and found them as low as 300, but did not move fast enough. eBay seemed to either offer trashed stuff, or the shipping made them closer to 600. One set I recall going for 420 plus 179 shipping.

 

oddly enough I found them on eBay, and the guy lived less than 5 miles from me. We worked a deal off line.

 

What got me started on these seats is I was driving home one day, minding my own business. Off to the side of the road in some field I see what appears to be a seat. I pass it and about 50 feet later say to myself that looks like the seats in my old SRT-4. (I sold it 8 months ago). Then it occurred to me to go investigate this road treasure which hath been bestowed. I looked for the other, all through that field and the rest of the neighborhood to no avail. So now I have one pristine seat, and a 240z which needs (well should have) 2 SRT4 seats. No one wants to sell me just one either. So I finally broke down and bought 2. It's tough buying something you don't need.

 

They are not the lightest seat you can get, but the quality, support and feel is very good imo. Perfect for the Z!

 

Happy Procuring! (ahem be patient).

[SmogSUX]

Wow Roseville? You're only 45 minutes away from me. haha I'll have to check this out sometime. Looks like a great fit. I think I'll end up trying that once I getmy Z up and running >.> I sold one of my Rx7s so now I have some cash to get the Z in top shape

[rejracer]

I will get some finished installation pictures in a few days. For the time being, here is some how to info.

 

 

Grinding the brackets off the rails:

 

 

 

 

 

When done it should look like this:

 

 

 

 

 

Then put the bolts through the existing threaded holes like such:

 

 

then tighten the bolts down so they are really tight, and two of the head flats are parallel with the rail. This works with 13mm head bolts. It might not work with 14mm head bolts, and 12's you might not even need to worry about the whole parallel bit. If it slides freely you know its good.

This is the correct way to have them installed:

 

This is the incorrect way to have the bolt installed. tighten it down a half flat further!

 

 

 

Just the little bit of width from the crowns versus the flats makes this work or not work. An alternate method would be to use studs and either epoxy, loctight, or tack weld them in so they don't turn on you while tightening the nuts down on final installation.

 

Here are hi res (haha camera phone) links:

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/IMG00251.jpg

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/IMG00252.jpg

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/IMG00295.jpg

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/IMG00297.jpg

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/IMG00296.jpg

here are the final install pictures. The hi resolution links for each photo is below the particular image.

 

Notice the height.

 

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/Driversideinstalledheight.jpg

 

All the way forward, and it's very tight squeeze. This seat install is S.A.C. (short asian compliant).

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/Driverssideinstalled2.jpg

 

Are those holes I see in the floor board? Notice the lower rear of the seat, it rests against the seatbelt mech, in other words full motion. Good enough for someone about 6'2 in my estimates. I am 5'7, my dad 5'10, and he could not reach the pedals this far back.

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/Driverssideinstalled.jpg

 

 

On the inside you have 1 inch clearance to the tunnel. Nice and snug fit and aligns the driver up with the steering wheel. instead of rubbing your shoulder on the door, you will rub shoulders with the passenger!

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/IMG00317.jpg

 

To the cat that left the nice mark on the seat: Your fate awaits you. For the rest of you... notice the easy access to the backrest lever, it's about 2 inches clearance. Your fate awaits you too, but I'm sure it much better than the cat's.

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/Driverssideinstalled.jpg

 

Passenger side. This is all the way back for the backrest in that angle. If you push the backrest forward the rear of the bottom portion of the seat will hit evenly on the inner and outer seatbelt mount points. Take your time aligning them to get it right, it will pay off.

 

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/Passenger1.jpg

 

The only downside to this side to side alignment is that the new hole that you drill on the inner mount point. The position is not totally flat. Liberal application of force on tightening the nuts up seems to resolve this. I may get creative with the new welder and some flat stock to rectify the situation.

 

A better shot of the passenger side head rest clearance. It's pretty good, about 2 to 4 inches.

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo336/rejracer/240z%20-%20srt4%20seats/Passengerheight.jpg

 

 

Thats it for the fitting of the seats. I still need to remove them and get the brackets painted and pictures of the brackets themselves. I need to get the seats cleaned as well.

[Calgary280ZT]

I like the look of these seats. Couple of questions.

 

1) What is the width at the back of the SRT4 seats? The 240 is 20" wide at the rear of the seatwell. The 280 is 17.5". A lot of people make mistake of assuming that a seat that will fit in a 240 will fit in a 280.

2) Do these seats come from a Neon SRT4?

3) Are the seats comfortable in the lower back region? Adjustable lumbar support?

 

Thanks in advance for the info?

[Jesussalvdr]

awesome.

 

how much were your seats?

where did you purchase?

 

 

definately get the pictures of the brackets once painted.

[rejracer]

I like the look of these seats. Couple of questions.

 

1) What is the width at the back of the SRT4 seats? The 240 is 20" wide at the rear of the seatwell. The 280 is 17.5". A lot of people make mistake of assuming that a seat that will fit in a 240 will fit in a 280.

2) Do these seats come from a Neon SRT4?

3) Are the seats comfortable in the lower back region? Adjustable lumbar support?

 

Thanks in advance for the info?

 

 

1. Seat width is 19" at the rear of the seat. 14" on the Rails center to center.

2. The seats are from a Neon SRT-4.

3. Very subjective... to me, yes they are. but not the best i've ridden in. Take into account i am 5'7". No adjustable lumbar support. (cmon theyre out of a dodge neon!)

 

 

 

 

awesome.

 

how much were your seats?

where did you purchase?

 

 

definately get the pictures of the brackets once painted.

 

Those look really good!! Mind if I ask how much you payed for them?

 

 

400 locally(Sacramento, CA area). I shopped around and found them as low as 300, but did not move fast enough. eBay seemed to either offer trashed stuff, or the shipping made them closer to 600. One set I recall going for 420 plus 179 shipping.

 

oddly enough I found them on eBay, and the guy lived less than 5 miles from me. We worked a deal off line.

 

What got me started on these seats is I was driving home one day, minding my own business. Off to the side of the road in some field I see what appears to be a seat. I pass it and about 50 feet later say to myself that looks like the seats in my old SRT-4. (I sold it 8 months ago). Then it occurred to me to go investigate this road treasure which hath been bestowed. I looked for the other, all through that field and the rest of the neighborhood to no avail. So now I have one pristine seat, and a 240z which needs (well should have) 2 SRT4 seats. No one wants to sell me just one either. So I finally broke down and bought 2. It's tough buying something you don't need.

 

They are not the lightest seat you can get, but the quality, support and feel is very good imo. Perfect for the Z!

 

Happy Procuring! (ahem be patient).

 

 

Read my posts above, there is a bit more info in them than I quoted.

 

The car has been on the back burner for a couple of months. Only earlier this week did I wash it up and start driving it again. I'll get those pics of the brackets, as I still need to get them painted up.

[Jesussalvdr]

what was the exact nut and bolt sizes you used for this installation?

[Jesussalvdr]

any idea for mounting the seatbelt sensor from the original seats to these?

[rejracer]

what was the exact nut and bolt sizes you used for this installation?

 

3. place bolts in the existing bolt holes so they protrude downward. I believe I used M8x1.25x45 Class 10.9 bolts.

 

The above quote is from the first post. I can't get any more exact than that, other than they had a zinc finish to them.

 

any idea for mounting the seatbelt sensor from the original seats to these?

 

My suggestion is don't waste your time. You are working on a Z car right?

[DarthZ]

Hey guys, i know this is an old post, but it has been really helpful to me. Basically i want to know if i will fit in this seat. It looks pretty large. I wear a size 34 pant and am 6'2", 220 lbs.

 

I see a couple people have posted here and am wondering how well you guys fit and your approximate girth .

 

Thanks for any help guys.

[rejracer]

I'm 5' 7" an wear a 33. You should update your avatar to a stick figure.

 

My dad is 5'10" and in the rear most position he cannot reach the pedals. I think you will be fine if you get the mounting spot on. The rear left to right positioning is critical and is what will allow the seat to go back so far.

[DarthZ]

Thanks....Definitely not a stick figure... Maybe a stick figure with a pot belly? I knew the leg room was definitely available as my Dad (Phantom) is 6'4" and he fits a Z. I figure on putting the seat in its full back position and leaning it back a couple notches to find the optimum floor position.

 

Do you have any pictures of the area under the seat? There are lots of good pics of the installed seat, which looks great by the way, but i am curious to see the brackets you made for the seat to attach to.

 

I was mainly worried about there being enough room for my back and rear end. I shopped the C6 corvettes last year and one of the things i didn't like was how tight the seat was on my rib cage.

[DarthZ]

 

 

Got my seats yesterday. Might start install this weekend. Do you have any pics of your brackets, how thick of a piece of metal did you use and where did you get the metal at? Thanks

 

 

http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab343/DarthZ_photo/NewSeats.jpg

[DarthZ]

See pics below from installation. It took a few hours, but didn't require anything but drilling some new holes. Oh and the bottom pic is to show how "SAC" compliant they really are. The boy in the pic is 2yrs old.