Anyone have Mastercraft seats in their cruiser? Specifically Baja RS?

[nukegoat]

Looking to upgrade seats. I am not having luck finding a set of cloth seats locally and so I'm fine just shelling out some cash for a set. I dont' really want vinyl and my rig sees a decent amount of dirt and abuse, so they need to be fairly sturdy. Any experiences with the Mastercrafts here?

 

[Fj81]

If you upgrade the seats, wont that blow the head gasket?

 

[jcardona1]

One big problem that nobody mentions when replacing the factory seats is removal of the eddy currents that help evacuate hot gases from the exhaust pipe and keep them away from the undercarriage. The factory seats and other components can deal with the increased heat obviously but the accumulation of thermal energy in the exhaust eventually works its way back due to conduction through the muffler, frame, cats, and eventually right into the exhaust manifold. Once the exhaust manifold is hotter than normal, you're in the head.

The differences in coefficients of thermal expansion of the aluminum head and the cast block are normally within the allowable limits of the elasticity of the head bolts but, with the increased heat from what I described above, its very likely you'll end up distorting and eventually blowing your head gasket. I see it all the time.

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

One big problem that nobody mentions when replacing the factory seats is removal of the eddy currents that help evacuate hot gases from the exhaust pipe and keep them away from the undercarriage. The factory seats and other components can deal with the increased heat obviously but the accumulation of thermal energy in the exhaust eventually works its way back due to conduction through the muffler, frame, cats, and eventually right into the exhaust manifold. Once the exhaust manifold is hotter than normal, you're in the head.

The differences in coefficients of thermal expansion of the aluminum head and the cast block are normally within the allowable limits of the elasticity of the head bolts but, with the increased heat from what I described above, its very likely you'll end up distorting and eventually blowing your head gasket. I see it all the time.

Holy balls, this was awesome! Well played sir.

No input on the MC Baja's but check your local C-list for a pair of Camaro ss cloth seats, mine are 2010. I got mine for $250 for the set, and at 260 pounds (my weight...not the seats), they provide me with the right support and comfort.

 

[Tedward]

Do they have adjustable lumbar?

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

Do they have adjustable lumbar?

Unfortunately not. I went with them because a lot of larger guys on the camaro forums commented that this series of seats were the most comfortable they had driven in. My back problems are no more in them.

 

[NateMob]

@northwesttaco has been looking at using these with Planted brackets. Badass seat, have you looked at PRP's lineup also?

 

[Malleus]

can't get no love...

 

[northwesttaco]

This guy has them but doesn't say what brackets. I asked but he hasn't responded
1997 Toyota FZJ 80 Expedition Ready ARIZONA USA - Expedition Portal

 

[nukegoat]

can't get no love...

???

 

[nukegoat]

@northwesttaco has been looking at using these with Planted brackets. Badass seat, have you looked at PRP's lineup also?

I wasnt impressed with PRP when i saw them at KOH. Truth be told I didnt really think the mastercrafts were amazing in any way but they seemed well built.

 

[2fpower]

I put PRP seats in Foo. REALLY like them for wheeling. Getting in and out is a little tricky. YOu can totally customize each material and piping, and they even put baja bottoms on mine to get rid of any moisture that might find a way in through the half doors.

I just put seat heaters in them also, should be nice this weekend offroading in 30 degree temps.

 

[2fpower]

by the way, I made custom brackets for the PRP seats... same day we made them for @FZJ80 in KC 's camaro seats and we put Honda Prelude seats in my son's 80 UTE.

Camaro seats are really comfy. I have porsche boxster seats on my daily driver, that have good bolsters and really like those too; however, as queen said, they are not for "fat bottom girls" (or boys).

Honda Prelude seats were really comfy.

I put a set of Toyota Celica GT seats in FOO before these PRP seats. Fit great, but I really wanted suspension seats. I need to sell them still...

For Sale - Better seats for 80 series from Celica

 

[joez]

I put Corbeau Baja JP's in my 80 and love them. They come vinyl and cloth, I went vinyl for ease of clean up. They are a little short for me, but I am a hair over 6'6". Not many seats were going to be tall enough.

They were comfy enough to spend 3200 miles in across 10 days without comfort being an issue. Well, comfort from the seats weren't an issue.

head gasket hasn't even blown yet.














Yet.

 

[Bludozer]

One big problem that nobody mentions when replacing the factory seats is removal of the eddy currents that help evacuate hot gases from the exhaust pipe and keep them away from the undercarriage. The factory seats and other components can deal with the increased heat obviously but the accumulation of thermal energy in the exhaust eventually works its way back due to conduction through the muffler, frame, cats, and eventually right into the exhaust manifold. Once the exhaust manifold is hotter than normal, you're in the head.

The differences in coefficients of thermal expansion of the aluminum head and the cast block are normally within the allowable limits of the elasticity of the head bolts but, with the increased heat from what I described above, its very likely you'll end up distorting and eventually blowing your head gasket. I see it all the time.

I'll admit you had me going there for a couple seconds. I'm a complete moron though so don't get too excited.

 

[scottryana]

Mastercraft has fallen a long way from their heyday. They used to be much much better, now they are just cheap seats.

I wasnt impressed with PRP when i saw them at KOH. Truth be told I didnt really think the mastercrafts were amazing in any way but they seemed well built.

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

I put PRP seats in Foo. REALLY like them for wheeling. Getting in and out is a little tricky. YOu can totally customize each material and piping, and they even put baja bottoms on mine to get rid of any moisture that might find a way in through the half doors.

I just put seat heaters in them also, should be nice this weekend offroading in 30 degree temps.

At first quick test fit I didn't think I was a fan of the PRP seats either, but after riding shotgun through the hard trails, I thought they were great. The biggest thing was how they held you in place when bouncing around or going down steep grades, or off camber. I find my self shifting a lot in my camaro seats to stay in the right spot.

 

[ChaseTruck]

Mastercraft seats in my K5 for 14 years. Passenger side (Sportsman, I think) doesn't see much use. Driver's side is a Pro with the removable cushion, which I replaced 2 years ago. There's one spot on the outside piping that has started to wear through about maybe 5 years ago; hasn't bothered me terribly. I prefer that seat to anything in our fleet, to the point that I actually dislike the seat in the 80 or the LX. The Pro is fairly deep, so perhaps not a good choice for running errands, but on our trips to Utah in the past I could sit in it for 10 hours a day for a week or so without any issues. Backrest is not adjustable, but it suits me very well as is.

 

[nukegoat]

Mastercraft has fallen a long way from their heyday. They used to be much much better, now they are just cheap seats.

So whats the jam now?

 

[NLXTACY]

Does this count?