Race seat padding

[Jackv4]

Does anyone know if you can buy decent padding for race seats to give a softer ride, Ive had back surgery twice and don't want to go there again, Something that I can basically just put in and take out as and when I want to, Im not after the thin stick on pads but more a thicker softer type thing pad that covers the bottom and goes up the back of seat,

These are the seats I have 

[TAFKARM]

upholstery foam cut to size?

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F151840374535

 

and set yourself dampers to full soft.

[Jackv4]

12 minutes ago, RussH said:

upholstery foam cut to size?

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F151840374535

 

and set yourself dampers to full soft.

Cheers 

Ive been through the net and fount some race seat cushions that may do from OMP, Got some measurements to take yet,

My suspension has been  pro set up for track and very firm, Probably need to soften it up a little

[Mole]

Or get one of the roll up mats used at gym or camping..and cut to suit etc

Or maybe make a moulded seat insert..bin liner plus expanding foam..light and perfectly formed...and cheap..

[TAFKARM]

45 minutes ago, Jackv4 said:

Cheers 

Ive been through the net and fount some race seat cushions that may do from OMP, Got some measurements to take yet,

My suspension has been  pro set up for track and very firm, Probably need to soften it up a little

I don’t know your track driving experience, but I’d soften it off a lot...makes it much more Progressive at the limit. 

[Jackv4]

1 hour ago, RussH said:

I don’t know your track driving experience, but I’d soften it off a lot...makes it much more Progressive at the limit. 

Think I will take your advice on that one Russ

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

OK, every bad back is different, it’s true, so you may still need something different ultimately, however:

 

JK seats with the normal padding on a are usually extremely comfy, (I have a few damaged back sections, too), but, it’s key that the seat is the right size for you, so that they fit well. Too big and you move around too much, even though it doesn’t necessarily feel like it, and the padding can’t take up the difference.

 

Suspension, Russ raises a very good point above, historically, so many Westfields have suffered from both way too high spring rates for road use, (even for track, sometimes, if truth be told), and dampers frequently set too aggressively. Though sometimes, this is just because the dampers are well past their best.

 

The best handling Westfields on the road are still nice and compliant and while hardly classic Jaguar like, do ride well.

 

A last point to look at is tyre/wheel related. Westfields belong to the very light class of cars that react very strongly to tyre pressures. “Normal” tin top tyre pressures are massively too high on most Westfields. The precise ideal pressure does vary tyre to tyre, and car to car, plus different drivers prefer slightly different variations. But the normal advice is start around 18 psi, and experiment a little from there. (I wouldn’t go below 15/16 psi though).

 

Equally, Westfields don’t really “like” too low a profile tyre, especially not the more modern extreme low profiles! Don’t forget, they’re essentially from an age when 60 profiles were extreme low, and 70 the sporty low profile option!

 

Most that try, seem to prefer the feel and handling on 13” wheels with 60 or 70 profile tyres, again, this is a difference you’ll feel through the seat of your pants, and hence back!

[Jackv4]

4 hours ago, Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary said:

OK, every bad back is different, it’s true, so you may still need something different ultimately, however:

 

JK seats with the normal padding on a are usually extremely comfy, (I have a few damaged back sections, too), but, it’s key that the seat is the right size for you, so that they fit well. Too big and you move around too much, even though it doesn’t necessarily feel like it, and the padding can’t take up the difference.

 

Suspension, Russ raises a very good point above, historically, so many Westfields have suffered from both way too high spring rates for road use, (even for track, sometimes, if truth be told), and dampers frequently set too aggressively. Though sometimes, this is just because the dampers are well past their best.

 

The best handling Westfields on the road are still nice and compliant and while hardly classic Jaguar like, do ride well.

 

A last point to look at is tyre/wheel related. Westfields belong to the very light class of cars that react very strongly to tyre pressures. “Normal” tin top tyre pressures are massively too high on most Westfields. The precise ideal pressure does vary tyre to tyre, and car to car, plus different drivers prefer slightly different variations. But the normal advice is start around 18 psi, and experiment a little from there. (I wouldn’t go below 15/16 psi though).

 

Equally, Westfields don’t really “like” too low a profile tyre, especially not the more modern extreme low profiles! Don’t forget, they’re essentially from an age when 60 profiles were extreme low, and 70 the sporty low profile option!

 

Most that try, seem to prefer the feel and handling on 13” wheels with 60 or 70 profile tyres, again, this is a difference you’ll feel through the seat of your pants, and hence back!

Hi mate,

 

Lot of good advice thanks,

Ive went back to 13" wheels, Didn't realise it was perfectly ok to run 18ish psi, Will Have a play with the pressures and see how it goes,

 

The dampers are all near new and done next to no miles, Will defo set them up softer, There very firm at the moment,

 

The JK seats are a very snug fit aswell as very comfy, Its just the shocks that the spines taken through the seat that's the problem,

 

Im going to give one of these a try, There the perfect size for the JK's

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333326066179

 

I plan to use the car a lot and would be great if I didn't have to worry about back issues while out.

 

Cheers Jack

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Absolutely, I have both intermittent  sciatica and permanent damage at C4/5 with trapped nerves etc, so I know just how debilitating it can be, even without any sort of major or catastrophic injury.

 

On the plus side, when it’s bad, my Westfield is often the least stressful vehicle to drive as far as my back/neck are concerned, so it can be done!