Changing Front Seats

[fexlboi]

My next bigger project will be the front seats. I've been thinking to change them for a while. We find them just so uncomfortable for driving longer distances. So I took off the passenger seat and did proper measurements. So far my research brought me to one model from Procar http://www.procarbyscat.com/Products_Elite.asp#61 and one from Corbeau http://www.corbeau.com/products/suspens ... s/baja_rs/ which would probably fit.
Now I need to find a shop which have them either in stock or would order it for me with the option to return it if it's really not working.

I came across Recaro, Corbeau, Sparco, Mastercraft, Procar, but I'm pretty sure there are more. Do you know any other aftermarket seat brands?

[delicat]

I've done it in one of my old VW but simply went to the scrap yard and found a suitable donor. Had to re-weld the tracks but it was still fairly easy and much cheaper... Need to fine a seat that is very low profile.

I still like the options you came up with but just not the price! Nice project! (I agree, Delica's seats aren't very comfortable)

[FalcoColumbarius]

Now that I have installed my sheep skin covers (inspired by DeliCat) the ride has become way more comfortable, warmer in the Winter and cooler in the Summer, as well. Before, the drive up to George could be very uncomfortable. The only thing that took my mind off the discomfort were the amount of bugs crashing into my van. Splat! Split! Splat! THUD!! Split!

Falco.

[fexlboi]

So after a little bit more research and the first quotes (puhhh seats are expensive man) we will try to fit the Procar Sportsman http://www.procarbyscat.com/Products_Sportsman.asp in the next few days. Price is between $220 and $300 per piece (depends on the cover material), which is not bad. They are actually pretty comfortable. I tried them last week at Lordco. The base of the seat should fit almost perfectly, I'm just a little bit concerned about the shoulder area when you want to flit the seat back to get to the engine. Well, we will see...

[jessef]

I can't tell from pictures but are they plush enough ?

They 'look' hard and not comfy for long distances.

How are they in person ?

[Luna-Sea]

Which Lordco?
Did they have a few models to try out?

Right on

[jrman]

I can't tell from pictures but are they plush enough ?

They 'look' hard and not comfy for long distances.

How are they in person ?

If you mean "plushness" in the same sense as "softness" - then I don't think there is a direct relationship with comfort. I've spent much time & money on various motorcycle seats over the years and found surprising results depending on the materials. Corbin seats are well known as some of the best - and many of them feel hard as rock to the touch. However, the best manufacturers use a special foam that is conforms to the body in an evenly distributed fashion - something basic seat materials generally don't offer. This foam is often referred to as memory foam - but that can be misleading - there are hundreds of different types and qualities. It really comes down to researching the manufacturer and hopefully getting some first hand feedback from previous users of those seats.

Some of the softest seats I've used and been attracted when first planting my backside on them have turned out to be the most uncomfortable because they support the backside unevenly and create hotspots and areas of poor circulation = pain and discomfort. Have to believe the same goes for automobile seats.

Check out the following link...seems strange - but beaded seats on a bike actually help make a bad seat better (not the best, just better) by distributing weight, providing cooling, and allowing good circulation to the parts!

http://www.beadrider.com/

[pedro]

PLEASE keep us in touch with that!!!!!! My driver seat is awful and the passenger seat kind of lean foward( or at least you fell like it does when you sit on it!!) And I agree about the stiffer seat are usually the confortable one for it was the case in my old jetta:) thanx ,Pierre

[fexlboi]

So we test fitted the Procar Sportsman http://www.procarbyscat.com/Products_Sportsman.asp at Lordco on S.W. Marine Drive. They're exactly what I was looking for in terms of stiffness. I just don't like soft seats. They are definitely not as hard as they look like and for $225 a really bargain, BUT my concerns are right. The shoulder part is just too wide (24"). You can not even close the door :)
Well then we tried the Rally http://www.procarbyscat.com/Products_Rally.asp which fit perfect. Even the mounting spots are at the right place, BUT I found the seat-area on the base too narrow and they are $440 each. So no luck on this side.

Today I went to a upholstery place on 2nd and Main and I told the guy the problems I have with this seats and he was pretty confident to fix it. Basically he would replace some parts of the old foam with harder foam, reinforce the springs and fix a few holes in the covers. Altogether for about $250 each seat.

Tomorrow I'll check out North Shore Offroad and test fit the Corbeau Baja RS http://www.corbeau.com/products/reclini ... s/baja_rs/
I'll keep you up to date

[jrman]

I'm liking the look of the baja RS - hope it is a good fit and comfy.
Don't have the budget to do seats right now, but certainly a serious consideration for the "list".
Tks & keep us posted.

[marsgal42]

PLEASE keep us in touch with that!!!!!! My driver seat is awful and the passenger seat kind of lean foward( or at least you fell like it does when you sit on it!!) And I agree about the stiffer seat are usually the confortable one for it was the case in my old jetta:) thanx ,Pierre

I too am watching this thread with interest, and have to agree that the most comfortable car seats I've ever plunked my backside down on were in my old A2 Jetta. Not particularly soft, but they support you properly. I'm tempted to go to a junkyard, get a VW seat or something similar (BMW? Mercedes-Benz?), make a stand for it and use it as an office chair. A Delica captain's chair could work as well.

Gumdrop's seats are comfortable, but there is room for improvement. I'd install new seats a little bit further back as well. I could use the legroom.

...laura

[konadog]

I'd install new seats a little bit further back as well. I could use the legroom.

No kidding! And I'd like them lower too. Not for the headroom either, but rather the view out the front windshield

[Jonny5ive]

No kidding! And I'd like them lower too. Not for the headroom either, but rather the view out the front windshield

Same here... I need to sit lower in the seat.

[Adam]

I'd install new seats a little bit further back as well. I could use the legroom.

No kidding! And I'd like them lower too. Not for the headroom either, but rather the view out the front windshield

+2

[loki]

I'd install new seats a little bit further back as well. I could use the legroom.

No kidding! And I'd like them lower too. Not for the headroom either, but rather the view out the front windshield

+2

+1 more