Why is my seat so high?

[LuckyX2]

I just installed my Cobra Suzuka seat with some Buddy Club style rails and it sits very high, higher than the stock seat even.

Why so high? I thought these rails were supposed to make the seat lower, not higher...

Here's a picture. Look at how high above the center console it is. It's probably about 4 inches higher than the stock seat.

http://i57.tinypic.com/xn7r5d.jpg

So what rails will get me the lowest? Bride FG? Nagisa Super Low?

[DJ 21o3]

I don't have any personal experience yet, but I went with Bride LF rails to mate to my Recaros. I did a lot of searching before my purchase and Bride is what everyone recommended, or there was one other brand... i think Nagisa might of been it.

[LuckyX2]

What's the difference between LF and FG? I see a lot of suggestions online for the FG but not the LF that you just mentioned.

[e1_griego]

Looks like you have it all the way up on the side brackets -- try lowering it?

Or is the seat too wide for the rails?

[LuckyX2]

Looks like you have it all the way up on the side brackets -- try lowering it?

Or is the seat too wide for the rails?

I have the back of the seat lowered all the way and the front up a few notches so that the seat is reclined. So yeah, my thighs could go lower but I can't get the back down any lower. That's problematic because if I sit straight up, my head hits the ceiling. So currently I have to slide my ass forward when I sit in it. I'm not super tall either, I'm just 5'11"

[e1_griego]

Oh yeah, durp.

Either way, this is why a custom bracket is usually the way to go.

Or a planted bracket maybe? I haven't used one so I can't say for sure.

[waxball88]

Shitty rail

[LuckyX2]

The problem with the planted brackets for me is that I would like to have sliders. I bring co-drivers with me to most autocrosses and I'd like for them to be able to adjust the seat.

I'm thinking I might just get a Bride or Nagisa rail and flip the rear bracket upside down so that it mounts below the slider rather than above. I would do that with my current rail but I can't since the brackets are 7 shaped rather than L shaped.

I guess my question here is which one is best/lowest?

[Nissansota240]

did you get a different set of brackets with it, the ones that are just L shaped instead of that bend, those usually allow you to get it a bit more lowered.

[LuckyX2]

Nope, the bent ones are the only ones that came with it :/

[jr_ss]

One of the reasons, is your sliders. Regardless of what you do, that will always be an issue. Either deal with it, make a custom mount and hammer out the cat hump or remove the sliders and rigid mount your seat.

[LuckyX2]

I'm most likely gonna give this a try

http://www.nissanroadracing.com/showpost.php?p=34720&postcount=24

How close is the fit on the Circuit Sports to the Nagisa? They're modeled after them and are almost half of the price.

[FaLKoN240]

I'm most likely gonna give this a try

http://www.nissanroadracing.com/showpost.php?p=34720&postcount=24

How close is the fit on the Circuit Sports to the Nagisa? They're modeled after them and are almost half of the price.

The Buddy Club rails suck. They're too high in general. The legs are too long, the brackets are too tall etc.

I highly recommend these rails in this order: Bride FG, Nagisa "Dual lock", Circuit sport.

The only reason I recommend Circuit sport last, is because it's less "authentic"

My friend had the circuit sport rails, he swears they were equivalent to his Bride FG rails he had previous.

[LuckyX2]

Yeah, I mistakenly assumed all side mount rails were more or less equal +/- 1".

Had I just looked at the differences in brackets, it would have been clear that the bent brackets on the Buddy Clubs add another 2" or so of height on their own, not to mention the longer than necessary legs.

I went ahead and ordered the Circuit Sport. I would have gotten the Nagisa but this is now the third seat rail I've bought and I'm tired of spending money on dumbass rails. The first one I lost the last time I moved, the second one are these junk Buddy Clubs, hopefully the circuit sports work. Worst case I take an angle grinder to them, flip the brackets and make them work.

[DJ 21o3]

What's the difference between LF and FG? I see a lot of suggestions online for the FG but not the LF that you just mentioned.

I am not on my laptop so I don't have the link, but I have to go LF because the dimensions fit the Recaro seat. FG seems to fit most other seats better then the LF which is probably why you don't see it recommended.

[2fastandfurious]

I had the same problem, you have to adjust the bolts I see the bolt in the back needs 3 more holes to go up do that and do it on the other side as well

[LuckyX2]

Ummmm, moving the bolts up raises the seat. I need to go down.

[OBEEWON]

not exactly

[SilviaSR20DET]

you gotta use the lower brackets that it comes with and make sure your seat is able to fit between the rails toward the floor. I had the same problem before really pain in the ass to deal with.

[LuckyX2]

not exactly
What do you mean? How can raising the bolts lower the seat?

you gotta use the lower brackets that it comes with and make sure your seat is able to fit between the rails toward the floor. I had the same problem before really pain in the ass to deal with.

What lower brackets? I'm not seeing them...

http://www.frsport.com/Buddy-Club-RSBSRS13L-RSBSRS13-L-Side-Mount-Seat-Rail-S13-S14-S15-240SX-Driver_p_7832.html

[TheRealSy90]

Nagisa Auto single lock rails, flip the brackets under the slider so the seat is bolted under the rails. Seat-On-Ground. Done.

[LuckyX2]

Nagisa Auto single lock rails, flip the brackets under the slider so the seat is bolted under the rails. Seat-On-Ground. Done.

I'm most likely gonna give this a try

http://www.nissanroadracing.com/showpost.php?p=34720&postcount=24

How close is the fit on the Circuit Sports to the Nagisa? They're modeled after them and are almost half of the price.

One step ahead of ya. Except I'm doing it with the Circuit Sport instead of the Nagisa.

[Tempo]

looks like a bad combo of a big seat with big cushions, seat rail mounts are about an inch or 2 inches higher than bride FG rails i run and the mounting holes to begin with on that seat itself seem lower(making the seat higher)

I run parts shop max bucket with bridge FG rails and i sit a good 3 inches lower than stock seat. bottom of my seat is about half an inch to an inch off the floorboard.

[Chaluska]

the lowest would be no seat. just man up and sit on the floor

[ZX88]

NAMS rails sit so low. try fliping the rear bracket/

edit. errr buddy club brackets are wierd, bride and NAMS can be flipped...

[venom2034]

Buddy club rails are crap. They don't work and are not low as they claim. Plain and simple. I have the CS rails and will go as low as you need it to until the seat hits the floor.

[TheRealSy90]

Also, NAMS dual lock brackets can't be flipped very easily, which probably means the same for the knockoff one. The single lock version can since the four mounts are separate pieces.

[ixfxi]

i like how the mounting tabs are actually raised up, its like a booster chair

its perfect for guys like beetlejuice from the stern show

[A54]

Good thread...

[LuckyX2]

Also, NAMS dual lock brackets can't be flipped very easily, which probably means the same for the knockoff one. The single lock version can since the four mounts are separate pieces.

5 minutes with an angle grinder will fix that. I'd rather put in a little work and get the dual locks.

Good thread...

Good reply...

[!Zar!]

Newer Buddy Club rails come with the more traditional L shape brackets in addition to those stupid brackets which are pictured.

Assuming your seat is regular width. Once you buy the L brackets your seat will be able to sit lower.

But being as how the slider bar is on the bottom, your seat will only be able to go so low before you aren't able to lift the bar up in order to slide the seat forward/backward.

[rebornS14]

your rails suck. if you want to go low you need Nagisa or bride rails.
LOWMAX ftw!

buddy club and the like can't go lower because the use the cheap design that requires the slider release to be located under the seat which keeps the design from being lower to the floor. Bride FG and Nagisa rails have them located on the top side so they can go low to the max =)

[bigs]

stop stashing your weed under the seat

[corkscrew]

hey dude, i installed these same poorly designed brackets today. going to try to cut, bend, and redrill them. i'll post pics this weekend.

for anyone who reads this...save up for another week and go with the bride rails

[TheRealSy90]

5 minutes with an angle grinder will fix that. I'd rather put in a little work and get the dual locks.



Good reply...

I see no point in the dual locks, one lock works just fine. And I don't ever move my seat becuase i'm the only one that drives my car...

[FaLKoN240]

I see no point in the dual locks, one lock works just fine. And I don't ever move my seat becuase i'm the only one that drives my car...

I had single lock before and it sucks.

The side that didn't lock would shift around during braking and accelerating. Really annoying when you're doing city driving.

[!Zar!]

Single lock sliders have a bit of wiggle on the side with only a slider.

Dual lock sliders provide a more solid feel.

[LuckyX2]

Also, some racing regulations require dual locking sliders iirc.

Well, the ones that even allow sliders, that is.

[slower than you]

I have buddy club rails, but i also have a buddy club seat. The combination sits pretty low. Im abot 5'9" and with my helmet i still have a couple inches from the stock headliner in my S14 (non sunroof). I have the old style brackets BTW.

[corkscrew]

@slower than you, can you post a pic? im curious which generation of brackets i have

[corkscrew]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/abc123jason/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1824_zps48d412fa.jpg?t=1399570311

[slower than you]

Yeah ill snap some pics after work...

[smolik769]

buddy club sits high, i had them a few years ago i hated them. my head would be on the roof of thecar

[lude4life13]

You could also modify the bracket to work. Cut and shorten the door side as seen below. Either use a high grade bolt/nut, or weld it, depending on what you have access too. For the other side, you can simply re-drill a new hole to lower it the same amount you lowered the door side. That will drop the back of the seat without having to change anything else.

Of course custom brackets would be easier, but those are much more expensive. Also, make sure you make your modification symmetrically, or else your sliders won't be perfectly lined up, and it will be harder to slide back and forth.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo267/lude4life13/edcbd073-ff6d-4a74-8291-e995ad5538ae_zps9eb68a59.jpg (http://s382.photobucket.com/user/lude4life13/media/edcbd073-ff6d-4a74-8291-e995ad5538ae_zps9eb68a59.jpg.html)

[lude4life13]

The picture above is not a buddy club rail, but I did was able to successfully do it to mine (buddy club) when I had it.

[BeerBringer]

I have a Cobra Suzuka in my S13. I used to have som Chinese brackets untill I saw what the seat was bolted to. 4.8 grade M8 bolts that was hardly welded to the bracket! Zipties would have been safer...

Anyway. Beeing 5'7, totaly butchering the floor and custom brackets where the only way of getting the Cobra Suzuka properly low.

[ILoveJDM]

you're using the wrong side mounting brackets. when you order it new it comes with the big bracket that you currently have bolted to the rail, but they also come with 4 other small L brackets in a bag marked "schassis and ae86 specific " and they look like those in the picture a couple posts up.

[LuckyX2]

you're using the wrong side mounting brackets. when you order it new it comes with the big bracket that you currently have bolted to the rail, but they also come with 4 other small L brackets in a bag marked "schassis and ae86 specific " and they look like those in the picture a couple posts up.

Mine didn't come with those :down:

[PrimeDirective]

Even with the 'right' mounting brackets the buddy club rails are too high. I'm 5'11 and I can't wear a helmet in my sunroof s14 with the buddy club rails. My seat could not possibly go any lower in between the buddy club rails because it is sitting on the slider locking mechanism. The only way to get the buddy club rails (and hence the seat) to go lower would be to shorten the legs on the mounting bracket. My seat is a Recaro SPG.

[lude4life13]

Even with the 'right' mounting brackets the buddy club rails are too high. I'm 5'11 and I can't wear a helmet in my sunroof s14 with the buddy club rails. My seat could not possibly go any lower in between the buddy club rails because it is sitting on the slider locking mechanism. The only way to get the buddy club rails (and hence the seat) to go lower would be to shorten the legs on the mounting bracket. My seat is a Recaro SPG.

Exactly, the mounting brackets won't fix this problem. The design of the slider gets in the way of lowering the seat. You must shorten the rear mounting points, which is not THAT hard... After that, you run into problems of the seat hitting your CAT bump, but a hammer will usually fix that.

[TheRealSy90]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d29/abc123jason/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1824_zps48d412fa.jpg?t=1399570311


Can't you flip those brackets and run them under the rail? Would be the same as flipping the Nagisa brackets. You would just have to modify the bends a little bit. Should be able to put the seat on the floor after that.

[Doonagoowin]

Don't see how that's possible, unless you wanna cut and reweld the bracket. If you flip it upside down, there's no flat spot to bolt the bracket to the slider.

[lude4life13]

Can't you flip those brackets and run them under the rail? Would be the same as flipping the Nagisa brackets. You would just have to modify the bends a little bit. Should be able to put the seat on the floor after that.

You can't do this. It DOESN'T matter what mounting bracket you have or if you flip them. Look at the OP's picture, and look at how the sliding mechanism is on the INSIDE of the rail (you can only see one side in the pic obviously, but it's like that on both side). Since buddy club designed them that way, that sliding mechanism will make contact with the side of the bottom of the bucket seat, not allowing it to just slide in. Doesn't matter what you do to the mounting brackets, because the seat won't go lower than those things on the inside of the rails. As a matter of fact, buddy club makes their seats to accommodate for this, but no one else does. Look at how the bottom on their seats curves in where that locking mechanism would be.

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p591/carloszeuqsav/23122E90-B0E6-49EE-BC25-C484E357B931-653-000000524F74937C_zps5defae94.jpg

Read what PrimeDirective and I said in our previous posts.

[rebornS14]

no need for discussion

if you want to go low. get the right seat rail/brackets

Bride FG or Nagisa ultra low seat rails FTW

6' tall with helmet in a S14 and still have room on top (using bride FG)

[InsTanCeZ]

Nagisa rails w/ flipped rear brackets = lowest possible setup.

[heiyuu]

can u flip the rails on bride fg?

looks like u can, but the bolts and stuff will get in the way of the slider unless u bolt it to the NOW lowest positon (which is the highest position when its not flipped upside down)

I ran into the additional problem that I have a status GT seat which is extra wide. I had to drill out the mounting holes to space out the rails to fit the seat. doesn't slide as nice now thou (I suspect the rails are now in a pizza shape instead of perfectly parallel to each other)

[ZX88]

Just an FYI to those saying you can just flip NAMS brackets to go lower. IT all depends on your seat. Also on the center console side rail you need some really flush hardware if you want to keep any adjustment.