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solo318i Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2019 Posts: 15 Location: Central Fl
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 3:08 pm Post subject: seats |
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OK guys the search feature gives me more info than the library of congress.
I'm struggling to find a set of seats that are narrow enough for my buggy. It came with fiberglass buckets and covers and frankly they SUCK.
Given the confines of a dune buggy, What seats are you guys running and what did it take to make them fit? Please be as specific if possible
My goal is to tow this behind the rv and use it for transportation on vacations. So I'm in need of something comfortable, and I'm trying not to spend more on a pair of seats than I paid for the buggy.  |
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jsturtlebuggy Samba Member

Joined: August 24, 2005 Posts: 4608 Location: Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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PRP Roadster seats, Mazda Miata, Porsche 914, Toyota MR2 are just a few of the seats I heard of that fit between the tunnel and side of the body.
There are more and I sure someone else will post what they have or know of.
In my own buggy I am using PRP Daily Drivers
_________________ Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960 |
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cdnltded Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2015 Posts: 381 Location: Pincher Creek, Alberta
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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Polaris RZR seats
seen lots on here with them as well as my own. also head that new slingshot seats work |
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Rockbound Samba Member

Joined: September 06, 2017 Posts: 304 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 7:37 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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i used prp roadsters
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mark.konney@alliedprintin Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2017 Posts: 28 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:25 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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Hi All!!
I'm looking to keep our Manx as a Survivor. I don't want fancy high back bucket seats.
What seats were used back in the 60's when these buggies were being built?
We have no plans for long distance driving, but would like something fairly comfortable.
Also who makes the back seats for buggies? Mine came with plywood wrapped with canvas. Looks horrible!
Thanks! |
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slalombuggy Samba Member

Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9333 Location: Canada
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:34 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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Most buggies were built with factory VW seats. As for the back seat, you got what most did and still do, Plywood covered in fabric. Fit and finish is determined by the builder or upholstery shop.
brad |
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Q-Dog Samba Member

Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8852 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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mark.konney@alliedprintin wrote: |
Hi All!!
I'm looking to keep our Manx as a Survivor. I don't want fancy high back bucket seats.
What seats were used back in the 60's when these buggies were being built?
We have no plans for long distance driving, but would like something fairly comfortable.
Also who makes the back seats for buggies? Mine came with plywood wrapped with canvas. Looks horrible!
Thanks! |
Some used 50s-mid 60s sports car seats ... like TR6 or Bugeye Sprite. Probably difficult to find originals now, but do an internet search for "Empi roadster seat" for a similar looking modern seat. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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brianbernal71 Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2010 Posts: 212 Location: Spokane WA
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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I got these out of a Chevy cavalier from the junk yard for about $20. Bolted right to the floor and they are very comfortable. With the sides of my dune runner being so low, the side bolsters are a little bigger and keep me in place.
_________________ 62/70 Dune Runner Mini Mercedes "Eugene"
83.5 Westy "Skippy"
81 Rabbit Pickup "Betsy". |
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joemama Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2006 Posts: 1667 Location: La Crescenta, California
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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Google Empi 62-2820 seats. They are 19" wide, and have a nice look to them. I think you can get either vinyl or cloth for the seating area. I have vinyl, because my buggy sits outside and sometimes gets rained on. Cloth is probably more comfortable. |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5227
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Hot Air Samba Member

Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 672 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 6:49 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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What's the look you are going for..I have modern seats from a Polaris slingshot very comfortable and adjustable.
_________________ 73' Bug
85' Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 |
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Rockbound Samba Member

Joined: September 06, 2017 Posts: 304 Location: Pennsylvania
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solo318i Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2019 Posts: 15 Location: Central Fl
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:46 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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The problem I have with most of the bucket seats are, well, simply put, I'm fat. My big ole butt aint going to squeeze into a slot that is only 19 inches wide. I'm going to need a pair of seats to sit on, not in. I was looking at RZR seats but I havn't found a local pair to sit in first. I know of a nice pair of Miata seats, but I don't know what it takes to install them. |
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tgodber Samba Member

Joined: May 02, 2004 Posts: 410 Location: Okanagan Falls B.C. Canada
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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I have the Cavalier seats and some out of a small Toyota car.
First time I removed the VW seat brackets on the floor and used the Cavalier sliders. Made some brackets and mounted to the floor.
Next buggy I kept the VW sliders and attached the Toyota seats to them.
Both seat pairs are a tight fit.
No right way or wrong way to do it. Just worked with what we had.
The size of your butt will be another problem.
Get the Miata seats. They are popular with buggy builders. Once you have them you can figure out the mounting . _________________ My wife said I never listen to her.
Or something like that! |
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62kellison Samba Member

Joined: March 28, 2018 Posts: 513 Location: mass
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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The miata seats bolt up with the original tracks to a 1 inch by 1 inch block in the back under each corner,steel or whatever.Then I used 2x2 blocks in the front so that the seat had that natural angle(back of seat lower then the front).Then I thru bolted it all to the floor.I am a bigger guy(I love pizza) And they r very comfy.Plus I have speakers in my headrests.I think that was the easy way to mount them.i also was able to use the original seat belt that was attached to the seats (shoulder harness belts).Then I attached the other part of seat belt to the roll bar......I am sure theres other ways but this was down and dirty easy way until an upgrade for me...….Sean |
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62kellison Samba Member

Joined: March 28, 2018 Posts: 513 Location: mass
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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I also used a long flat steel plate underneath the buggy.Going from 1 bolt to the other bolt with holes drilled in it (looked like a steel ruler). Put that plate over the bolts then put the nuts/washers on.I did that so my ass doesn't rip the bolts out in a small accident etc.just a little safer.my stock pan is paper thin.Hope that helps.I was worried about it until I got the seats.It went easy.Like I said down and dirty way........Sean |
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solo318i Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2019 Posts: 15 Location: Central Fl
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Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 4:39 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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62kellison wrote: |
I also used a long flat steel plate underneath the buggy.Going from 1 bolt to the other bolt with holes drilled in it (looked like a steel ruler). Put that plate over the bolts then put the nuts/washers on.I did that so my ass doesn't rip the bolts out in a small accident etc.just a little safer.my stock pan is paper thin.Hope that helps.I was worried about it until I got the seats.It went easy.Like I said down and dirty way........Sean |
Thanks a million, That's what I was looking for. |
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62kellison Samba Member

Joined: March 28, 2018 Posts: 513 Location: mass
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Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 5:09 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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solo318i,no problem.One last thing I forgot to tell u.I believe the back holes on the seat sliders are angled down a little.So u just take a wrench or a hammer and bend them a little.Get them straight out to fit flat on the blocks.Its really easy.they bend really easy.....Sean |
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Dale M. Samba Member

Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20834 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 6:09 am Post subject: Re: seats |
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solo318i wrote: |
62kellison wrote: |
I also used a long flat steel plate underneath the buggy.Going from 1 bolt to the other bolt with holes drilled in it (looked like a steel ruler). Put that plate over the bolts then put the nuts/washers on.I did that so my ass doesn't rip the bolts out in a small accident etc.just a little safer.my stock pan is paper thin.Hope that helps.I was worried about it until I got the seats.It went easy.Like I said down and dirty way........Sean |
Thanks a million, That's what I was looking for. |
I did almost same thing, used a piece of 1-1/2 X 1/8 flat stock long enough to span pan (tunnel to outside edge) and tack welded them in place just to hold them during assembly... Made one for front and one for rear for each set of seat bolts...
IF not a piece of bar stock at least some thick "fender washers"....
Dale _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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halfassleatherworks Samba Member

Joined: December 09, 2018 Posts: 808 Location: Reno NV
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Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
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go to summit racing
https://www.summitracing.com
and search seats I got a pair of seats with pads for 149.99
put them is the buggy i just sold |
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