Mez

A couple of months ago, I modified the driver's seat to improve the comfort.

After only 15 minutes into a drive, I found my hips and butt hurt. My wife also had the same pains. The seat needed more support.

I removed the seat and disassembled the bottom cushion. The problem was the foam lays directly on the support wires and over time, the wires dig into the foam and sags. Frankly, I was surprised by how poorly the seat cushion construction was. Cars that cost half the price of a Corvette have much better designed seats.

I added 3 layers of ballistic nylon between the support wires and foam. The result was a slightly firm seat, no sag, and total elimination of the discomfort. The seat looks the same. If you have similar issues, I suggest this simple fix.

One area that I have not addressed yet is the lack of support under the bottom side bolsters. There is about 4 inches between the seat frame and the wires where this is no support for the foam at all. The outside edge of the seat foam rests on the sharp edge seat frame and after a while, will tear, and the bolster will sag. This is the area of the seat that takes all the driver's weight when getting in and out of the car. I added some duct tape to the seat frame to hopefully prevent the foam from tearing, but it really needs a wider support. I understand why people replace them with Viper seats.

Another issue is the size of the bottom cushion. Its too small. The average driver's legs cover the side bolsters. I think the designers did this on purpose to make the interior look roomy.

TLK

How do you disassemble the seat to modify the insides? Is it easy, or does it require upholstery tools?

Mez

It easy and does not require any special skills.

Unbolt the seat from the car, unplug the wires, and move it to a big work bench. The connectors took a few minutes to figure out.

The side trim unscrews and the seat controls pop off. One of the controls have a snap ring like they used on wind down windows that you have to release with a 2 thin screw drivers or you can get the tool at an auto supply shop.

Everything unbolts or pop off except the bottom seat cover itself. There is a string tied around the bottom and knotted at the rear. Just untie the knot. The seat back should unbolt. There are 3 hog rings at the rear to stretch it tight. I cut the hog rings off with a set of wire cutters and used tie wraps to reinstall.

The bottom seat cover should then just peal off from the foam. They use industrial hook & loop fasteners between the cover and foam so it may take a couple of tugs to separate the cover from the foam. If you are simply adding the ballistic nylon fabric between the foam and support wires, you don't have to separate the leather cover from the foam.

jdurhan

What is ballistic nylon, and where would one get ti.

Red Rochester

Call GM let them know about this fix.

MurphMan2

Here's some;
http://www.ahh.biz/products/ballisti...c%20FBN105.htm

Maybe we should do a group buy.

I haven't had any problems with the seats yet, but my wife and I have insanely cute/little butts.

danl72

Mez

It heavy nylon fabric most commonly used for computer bags and luggage. Comes in different thickness. I had some sample material from a China factory I cut up and used.

This is a great use of an old computer bags or luggage taking up space in the back of a closet. Nylon is very wear resistant and should last a long time.

Mez

I called GM but the phone number was out of service.



Aren't you special!

c54u

do you have to fasten the nylon material between the foam and wire or is it just going to be a pressure fit?

Just Buy It

Great idea thanks. Is yours a 1LT with the base seats or 2/3 LT with the better seats?

Mez

I used small tie wraps at the 4 corners to attach it to the wires.

Mez

The optional seats with side bags and seat heaters.

c54u

thanks......looks like this will be my next mod......I looked under my drivers seat and already have foam crumbs

Anybody else out there with foam crumbs??

Knob Jockey

I'm having a pro do this for me but your experience and approach is good advice for anybody. I will pass it on to him. Thanks- Again.

07MontRedcp

Maybe the mice got into it.

BJK

AORoads

much more than we wanted to know, murp.....

RUBYREDVET

This thread is worthless without pics. NOT yours, just your wifes.

07MontRedcp

Definitely something wrong when you think a scrawny, wrinkly old man's butt is "cute". Just sayin'

BJK

CraigE

Great idea.
I will be doing this mod.
Do you have the dimensions of one layer ?
The seat top measures 18" wide x 22" long.
Thanks