Lowering the seating position - dropping Recaros ~1"-2"

Spacebird · Dec 22, 2016

I've got an HPDE scheduled for January and have my Simpson Super Bandit helmet ready to go. This will be my first HPDE in the Shelby.

I'm 6'4" with a ~35" inseam. I fit great in the R Recaros without a helmet, but with the helmet on I have to recline the seat quite a bit to clear the headliner.

I'd like to drop the driver side Recaro. In my '67 that was as easy as cutting the seat riser off of the seat pan, removing some metal, and welding it back on. I suspect that it's not quite as easy with the GT350.

Had anyone else successfully dropped their ass a bit in these cars? How did you do it?

dron_jones · Dec 22, 2016

Spacebird said:
I've got an HPDE scheduled for January and have my Simpson Super Bandit helmet ready to go. This will be my first HPDE in the Shelby.

I'm 6'4" with a ~35" inseam. I fit great in the R Recaros without a helmet, but with the helmet on I have to recline the seat quite a bit to clear the headliner.

I'd like to drop the driver side Recaro. In my '67 that was as easy as cutting the seat riser off of the seat pan, removing some metal, and welding it back on. I suspect that it's not quite as easy with the GT350.

Had anyone else successfully dropped their ass a bit in these cars? How did you do it?

I started typing this out and then realized that you have an R.... Just thinking about cutting and modifying those factory seats makes me cringe... what about an aftermarket seat? you could pull it and put it in for the event and swap it back after? i guess you would end up losing some air bags and would be an additional cost... but those poor R - Recaro's!

Spacebird · Dec 22, 2016

dron_jones said:
I started typing this out and then realized that you have an R.... Just thinking about cutting and modifying those factory seats makes me cringe... what about an aftermarket seat? you could pull it and put it in for the event and swap it back after? i guess you would end up losing some air bags and would be an additional cost... but those poor R - Recaro's!

I'm open to modifying anything that can be put back to stock (I have a rear seat kit in my R so my kiddo can ride). Cutting is probably a no-no.

I wonder how easy it is to drop the headliner? That should be good for an inch right there.

I like your aftermarket suggestion and will definitely look into it. Given the time I have between now and the HPDE I think I'm gonna have to live with it. Maybe it won't be as bad as I think.

xXANCHORMONXx · Dec 23, 2016

I've thought about this too

I wanted to modify the lower rail but there is nothing to drop lowers.

I see Perhaps removing the assembly that allows the seat to be pumped up and down.

However if it's really an issue I'd get a Sparco Ergo or Recaro with brackets.

That will do it.

SoCalTim · Dec 23, 2016

Reminds me of this guy I follow on YouTube...

[ame]

btown93 · Dec 23, 2016

Does anyone make a slimmer helmet? I'm 6'4" too, and I'm fine with a hat on, but with my helmet I hit.

crazymayhem · Dec 23, 2016

Something ive been thinking about as well - and at 6'6" it is def. an issue...

Spacebird · Dec 23, 2016

Thanks for the responses. I'm reading the input and doing a bit of research on the topic.

I think my best option is an aftermarket driver's seat. I'm trying to figure out all the components that have to be bolted together to make it work, but here's what I'm thinking so far:

Recaro SPG XL seat
Brey-Krause Ford Mustang S550 Driver Side Seat Track Adapter (R-9184)
Brey-Krause Side Mounts for Recaro SPG XL (R-9066) OR Recaro equivalent
TBD seat slider? Recaro?

I have open questions about how this will work with stock seatbelts, how I manage the loss of the stock seat side airbags, and how the whole thing fits together.

dron_jones · Dec 23, 2016

Spacebird said:
Thanks for the responses. I'm reading the input and doing a bit of research on the topic.

I think my best option is an aftermarket driver's seat. I'm trying to figure out all the components that have to be bolted together to make it work, but here's what I'm thinking so far:

Recaro SPG XL seat

Brey-Krause Ford Mustang S550 Driver Side Seat Track Adapter (R-9184)

Brey-Krause Side Mounts for Recaro SPG XL (R-9066) OR Recaro equivalent

TBD seat slider? Recaro?

I have open questions about how this will work with stock seatbelts, how I manage the loss of the stock seat side airbags, and how the whole thing fits together.

I am by no means an expert on this as i have never done it so i don't want to mislead anyone, but on the track and with an aftermarket seat, i'd probably be less worried about the loss of the side air bag (since you will have a helmet on), and more concerned about utilizing the factory belt with a non factory seat. I know Schroth makes some 4 pt systems that use adapt to the factory setup, but not sure how that would work for you as they mount into the rear seat attachment points(and you have an R possibly with seat delete)

Spacebird · Dec 23, 2016

dron_jones said:
I am by no means an expert on this as i have never done it so i don't want to mislead anyone, but on the track and with an aftermarket seat, i'd probably be less worried about the loss of the side air bag (since you will have a helmet on), and more concerned about utilizing the factory belt with a non factory seat. I know Schroth makes some 4 pt systems that use adapt to the factory setup, but not sure how that would work for you as they mount into the rear seat attachment points(and you have an R possibly with seat delete)

Very good point. I have installed the rear seat kit as I put my daughter in the passenger side rear in a booster with the factory belt. I could feasibly use a Schroth or similar system using the rear seat anchor points for the driver side rear.

This is going to be like every other car project I've ever done; everything that I change requires its own changes to make which, which require their own changes, and on an on... :doh:

machsmith · Dec 23, 2016

I'm just 5 '10 that's only 6 more inches shorter than you. I would think that if you use the switch (push down on it) you would get plenty low, but maybe our torsos are way different lengths.

Spacebird · Dec 23, 2016

I'm maxed out as low as I can go. I fit with a healthy recline, but that really screws up the driving position.

machsmith · Dec 23, 2016

They need to think of the tall. It's the opposite for motorcycles, they think everyone is 6'5. Haha. I'm nearly tiptoe on my 900.

Spacebird · Dec 23, 2016

machsmith said:
They need to think of the tall. It's the opposite for motorcycles, they think everyone is 6'5. Haha. I'm nearly tiptoe on my 900.

It's hard being tall! ;)

But seriously, I'd be 2" shorter if I could!

mustang_guy · Dec 24, 2016

machsmith said:
They need to think of the tall. It's the opposite for motorcycles, they think everyone is 6'5. Haha. I'm nearly tiptoe on my 900.

They did or the OP wouldnt fit. They based the height on averages and had to cap it somewhere. :shrug:

Lowering the seating position - dropping Recaros ~1"-2"

Spacebird

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Spacebird

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xXANCHORMONXx

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SoCalTim

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Spacebird

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