There are essentially four easy steps in the seat buying process:
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For purposes of this discussion, let's break racing seat styles down as follows:
Shop Reclining Seats Shop Fixed-Back Seats Shop Suspension Seats Shop Bench Seats These are ideal for the street car that wants to make a powerful statement without compromising comfort. Doing some serious racing? These are your choice. Look here too if you are restoring a historic car or completing a kit that needs a classic bucket seat. Including Jeep seats and offroad seats. Nobody knows more about them than Corbeau. Find the performance and comfort you demand for your offroad adventure. Hey, why not? Sometimes a bench seat is exactly what is required. And nobody has a finer selection of bench seats than Corbeau.Racing Seats USA makes it easy to select the right style of seat. Simply go to Shop By Style and select the style you prefer. If you are looking for a specific brand or use then you can also Shop By Brand or Shop By Use.
Return To Top Of ArticleRead below or check out this handy video post on vehicle fitment
This is generally only a big deal if you have a small car, but if you get a seat that won't fit you will not be happy. So, unless you're putting your racing Seats into a very large car or truck, you should do a few quick measurements. Corbeau seats have 5 measurements, as shown in the image at left. Other brands provide similar measurements. Take a tape measure, jump in your car and get an idea of the available space. The most important measurements are the bottom width and the shoulder width.
First, find the very center of your stock seat at shoulder height. Do this by measuring the width of the stock seat at the shoulders and then finding the spot half-way across the seat. This is your starting point. Now, with the door fully closed and the window up, measure from this point out to the window. That is half, so double that number. This is the maximum available shoulder width. We recommend you find a seat that is at least 1-2 inches more narrow. This is important since the location of the shoulder on different seats is at different heights, and you may not have as much room with the aftermarket racing seat.
With the door closed, measure the narrowest width from the door panel to the center console. This measurement represents the widest seat bottom that will fit in your car. Select a seat that is at least 1 inch more narrow than this to be safe.
You will notice that we provide a diagram similar to the one above for every racing seat we sell. Now that you have the measurements you can compare the seats you like to your available space. Also, each section page provides a filter to reduce the seats shown to those that are wider, typical, or more narrow than the rest. Here are a few more pointers:
Is your midsection diameter 34" or smaller? Great--you can skip to the next section. If you are over 34" you will need to read on. With most racing seat descriptions on this website we offer guidelines for how big a driver will be comfortable in that seat. For other brands, the guidance is limited to suggesting that the seat is a better fit for a small, medium, or large drivers. Even the waist size suggestions can't strictly be compared to your pant size. Man men, in particular, are able to fit into one size pant and then carry far more weight just above that point. Don't kid yourself here, it is your comfort that is at stake. Measure yourself at the broadest part of your midsection. If you enjoy a snug fit and are not spending hours at a time in the car then a slightly smaller seat may work. But we recommend that you get as much seat as the manufacturer recommends for your size. Other tips:
Aftermarket seats come with either bottom mounting points, side mounting points, or both. Seat brackets are available to allow bottom-mounted seats to bolt directly into most year/make/model combinations. This is definitely the way to go. Unbolt your old seats, bolt the bottom-moun racing seat to the bracket and the entire assembly directly into your car. Too easy!
Racing Seats with side mounting points present additional benefits and challenges. By placing the mounting points on the side of the seat, it allows the seat to be positioned as low as possible, physically touching the surface on which it is being mounted. And it is possible to use a sidemount seat with a bottom-mount bracket by attaching the seat to the bottom-mount brackets with a set of sidemount brackets. This allows you to take advantage of the ease of installation even on sidemount-style seats. View the entire list of Racing Seat Brackets here!
While the paragraph above covers 90% of our customers, there are a few points to keep in mind:
We love to hear from our customers! You'll find our contact information at the top (and bottom) of every page on this website. We always have someone here between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM Eastern. It is our privilege to take your call!
Head down a highway or even a suburban street, and you’ll notice that pickup trucks are everywhere. What was once a vehicle for all work and no play has steadily become a mainstream form of transportation. More than 20 percent of new vehicles sold today are pickups. And for more than four decades, the best-selling vehicle of any kind in the U.S. has been the Ford F-150 . With that said, perhaps you’re looking at joining the truck movement and don’t know where to start. We’re happy to help. Read on and explore what to understand before buying your first truck.
Just as with passenger cars and SUVs, automakers offer pickups in various styles, with the main categories being:
As the name implies, compact pickups are the smallest version of everyday trucks. Initially gaining a foothold in the s with examples like the Ford Courier and Chevrolet LUV, they lost favor as Americans gravitated to larger offerings. But, this category is enjoying a resurgence with the recent debuts of the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. While these newest pickups have more in common with the unibody construction of a crossover, they nonetheless are trucks thanks to a cargo bed and tailgate in the back.
At the same time, both the Maverick and Santa Cruz offer two-row seating and numerous car-like amenities. Demand for the Maverick has been so intense that Ford recently delayed new orders so the factory could catch up. While no other compact pickups are on the horizon, this may not be the case for long as other automakers won’t want to miss out on sales.
A midsize pickup is ideal for buyers wanting truck utility without the bulk of a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado. You’ll have plenty of room for hauling and still be able to park at the grocery store with ease. Models to consider are the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma.
With competitive price and timely delivery, BWHY sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Interestingly, the Ranger originally was a compact truck during its earlier years (-), but Ford upped its size when reintroducing the vehicle for the model year. Similarly, the Colorado and Canyon gained some bulk when General Motors introduced second-generation versions in . A midsize truck is best suited for moderate hauling and trailering. More substantial duties may best be performed by a larger pickup with a more robust engine and suspension.
We’ll also put the Honda Ridgeline into the mid-sized category. Although it’s bigger than the other trucks mentioned here, its crossover roots (think of it as a Honda Pilot with a cargo bed) mean the Ridgeline doesn’t have the capability of a full-sized truck. But, for truck shoppers wanting a spacious two-row option that doesn’t drive like a pickup, the Ridgeline is worth checking out.
More full-sized pickups are sold than any other truck. It’s a segment that makes up a significant portion of profitability for the Detroit Three. While Ford enjoys a long reign as sales champ, the second and third spots are occupied by the Chevy Silverado and RAM (which had a Dodge badge until ). Other models in this category include the GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra . RAM also offers its previous-generation truck under the Classic label.
The reason for the popularity of these trucks is that there’s something for everyone. Buyers can choose from a basic three-seat version to a six-seat pickup with luxury features that would be at home in a BMW or Mercedes. And each manufacturer offers a dizzying amount of options.
We’ll go into more detail later, but these trucks are available in a wide variety of configurations that involve a choice of engine, cab, and bed size. As such, a new pickup can range from $30,000 to over $100,000. There are few vehicle categories with such a price gap.
But a full-sized truck is all about capability. Even the base versions can tow a boat or handle a load of drywall with ease and then be ready for a night out on the town.
If 10,000-14,000 pounds of towing ability isn’t enough or you have special hauling needs, then put a heavy-duty pickup on your shopping list. The Ford Super Duty, Chevy Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD, RAM /, and Nissan Titan XD are steroid-filled versions of the regular full-sized trucks. Depending on the brand, you may have to look hard to see the difference, but underneath each truck lies a robust powertrain with a suspension to match. These trucks are available with a dual-rear-wheel setup depending on the brand and trim. A “dually” has two rear wheels on each side for extra stability and function during heavy loads or extreme trailering. A "dually" has two rear wheels on each side for extra stability and function during loads of extreme tailering, the experts at EastCoastTowing explain.
Most pickup trucks come in three cab styles: standard (two doors), extended (two rows smaller rear access doors), and crew (four regular doors). Not every truck will be available in every cab style, and some manufacturers may use different labels. For example, an extended-cab Ford F-150 is called Super Cab, while the crew version is dubbed SuperCrew. If you regularly carry more than two people, then the extra space offered by an extended or crew-cab pickup is a no-brainer.
Keep in mind things can get tricky if you need to transport six people. Not every two-row pickup is set up for three occupants in the front; this usually is only the case in lower trims (higher-end versions typically have dual front bucket seats with a center console).
The whole point of buying a pickup is the cargo bed, so getting a handle on your load requirements is essential. For instance, if you regularly carry 4’ x 8’ sheets of drywall or plywood, then the fitting of this cargo between the wheel wells of a mid-sized (or smaller) truck is out of the question. On the other hand, bags of mulch will fit in any sized pickup.
Standard bed length in a full-sized truck is about eight feet, but an extended or crew cab may shorten things by one to three feet. It comes down to determining priorities, cab size, or bed length. The same thing applies to a midsize pickup. Is an extended cab with a six-foot bed workable? Or, will you go with a five-foot bed to get a larger crew cab?
Although not directly tied into bed size, you may want to explore what bed liner options are available and if the truck has a tailgate upgrade (such as a power function).
Going hand-in-hand with bed size is how much cargo you can carry. Again, casual loads are acceptable for any truck, but you’ll need to step up if your requirements are more substantial. A Ford Maverick can handle 1,500 pounds (including passengers), while a Chevy Silverado HD can haul 7,400 pounds.
Towing strength varies greatly among pickups, even between trucks in the same category. As an illustration, the Maverick can tow as much as 4,000 pounds, while the Hyundai Santa Cruz can handle up to another 1,000 pounds. It’s a difference that may determine what ski boat you bring along for a weekend adventure. Serious towing capacity begins with full-sized pickups and handling 10,000 to 14,000 pounds. But some truck shoppers need even more ability, and this is when the strength of a heavy-duty pickup comes into play. The vehicles are engineered to manage 20,000 pounds or more. And the two-wheel-drive F-450 Super Duty is rated for a mind-boggling 37,000-pound gooseneck trailer load.
At the heart of every pickup is the engine. Compact and mid-sized pickups may come with one or two power plants, but bigger domestic trucks have various options. There are no fewer than five engine choices for a current F-150 and these range from a 290-horsepower naturally aspirated V-6 to 400-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8. There are even turbocharged choices, including a twin-turbo V-6 hybrid that cranks out 430 horsepower. But, for a Diesel-powered Ford, you’ll have to look at the Super Duty.
Likewise, Chevy and GMC offer a menu of engines, including the base turbo four-cylinder that provides a respectable 310 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Among the other choices are a big-block V-8 and turbo inline-six Diesel. RAM keeps things simplified with either a V-6 or V-8. And, like Ford, you’ll have to upgrade to a or heavy-duty truck to get a RAM Diesel.
A pickup truck’s engine should match your needs. If your focus is on fuel economy, sticking with a base power plant will help. But, if you’re likely to max out a truck’s cargo or towing limits, then you’ll want an upgraded power plant to support the efforts.
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