Seat modification for comfort
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jun 1999
Location: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
Seat modification for comfort
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.
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.
Last edited by Mez; 04-07-2009 at 08:26 PM. Reason: sp
#3
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jun 1999
Location: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
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.
Last edited by Mez; 04-07-2009 at 08:28 PM.
#6
Pro
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Chicago Illinois
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#8
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jun 1999
Location: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
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.
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.
#9
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jun 1999
Location: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
I called GM but the phone number was out of service.
Aren't you special!
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.
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.
#10
do you have to fasten the nylon material between the foam and wire or is it just going to be a pressure fit?
#14
#15
Race Director
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.
#17
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,100
Received 2,478 Likes
on
1,941 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
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.
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.
#18
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.
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.
This thread is worthless without pics. NOT yours, just your wifes.
#19
Safety Car
Member Since: Aug 2006
Location: Apache Junction AZ
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
18 Posts
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.
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.
BJK