DIY - Make your seats comfortable

[ermax]

Originally Posted by MoonieGT

My biggest issue with the seat is the seat bottom. It feels too firm for me. For reference I am 6 feet tall, 170 lbs, 32 inch waist. I get pressure on boniest part of my rump. If the front of the seat could be raised that might support more of my thigh to take some pressure off of the part that hurts.

I've been wanting to the cover off the seat, remove some of the bottom cushion and replace it with some other kind of foam. Not sure what to replace it with. Maybe an inch or so of memory foam?

The work doesn't seem too involved to do it, but I don't want to ruin my seat cushion if it doesn't work out...

My previous car was a Lexus IS with the F-Sport seats... Would love to have those in my car...

I would like a little lumbar and may do this mod but my biggest complaint is the same as yours which is the seat bottom and I have similar specs as you, 165lbs 6'2".

[atomicalex]

Ooh great idea. I have been toying with pulling my seat apart, too. Need more lumbar. I have a little butt.

I added extra lumbar on my old Rabbit Convertible, it was soooooo awesome.

[MoonieGT]

I would love to know if Lexus IS F-sport seats would fit without much modification and without raising the seating position a ton...

[Yoshoobaroo]

I did this but installed this corbeau inflatable suport. It worked brilliantly!

Tweaking the shoulder supports makes a big difference too.



https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...:1,prmr:3,cs:1

[hestekinj]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

I did this but installed this corbeau inflatable suport. It worked brilliantly!

Tweaking the shoulder supports makes a big difference too.



https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...:1,prmr:3,cs:1

Just out of curiosity, how did you go about attaching the lumbar 'bladder' to the inside of the seat? Do you have any photos of the process?



I'm currently using the STI lumbar pillow, but i would really like something more adjustable and permanent. Plus I have long legs and I don't like how far the pillow scoots me forward in the seat.


Thanks!

[gshopper]

Here's what I did:
I took the back of the seat apart, like the original post, then I used two pressure bags. These are used in hospitals, to pressurize IV fluids for faster administration. I got them on Ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-pack-of-5...kAAOSwBahVMTzW

There is a pressure indicator which I removed. A little cutting and reattaching. zipties around the connections to make them airtight.

Where Mausr placed a lumbar pillow, I put them in the same place, running horizontally, one above the other. Took picture but can't get it the right size for upload. sorry.

The stopcock and pump bulb tuck away nicely behind the seat and don't get in the way. You can adjust each bladder individually to your preference.

I can adjust it very easily, and it's very comfortable.

[hestekinj]

Originally Posted by gshopper

Here's what I did:
I took the back of the seat apart, like the original post, then I used two pressure bags. These are used in hospitals, to pressurize IV fluids for faster administration. I got them on Ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-pack-of-5...kAAOSwBahVMTzW

There is a pressure indicator which I removed. A little cutting and reattaching. zipties around the connections to make them airtight.

Where Mausr placed a lumbar pillow, I put them in the same place, running horizontally, one above the other. Took picture but can't get it the right size for upload. sorry.

The stopcock and pump bulb tuck away nicely behind the seat and don't get in the way. You can adjust each bladder individually to your preference.

I can adjust it very easily, and it's very comfortable.

That's awesome, thank you!


Is the pressure of the cushion enough to hold them in place, or did you have to affix them somehow to prevent them from moving around?


thanks again!

[gshopper]

after you inflate them, they just stay by themselves.

[MarylinPurtill]

I always have sitting issue and feel uncomfortable. On the advice of the dealer, I changed its foam and used ortho-friendly one. Anyways, thanks for this guide.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by hestekinj

Just out of curiosity, how did you go about attaching the lumbar 'bladder' to the inside of the seat? Do you have any photos of the process?



I'm currently using the STI lumbar pillow, but i would really like something more adjustable and permanent. Plus I have long legs and I don't like how far the pillow scoots me forward in the seat.


Thanks!

I pretty much followed this DIY from a BMW forum:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=14
I made the plastic backer panel out of an old storage bin lid, drilled some holes in it and secured it to the metal wire seat structure with zip ties.

[Yoshoobaroo]

@hestekinj here's a better link:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...fitting+lumbar

[Compelica]

Thread necro, but thank you OP for this. For the longest time I had back pains after long distance driving, but was alleviated with an IKEA BORTBERG lumbar pillow. Despite the pillow nicely fitting onto the inner width of the stock seats it tended to shift around which I didn't like.

So I finally got one of those lumbar inflatables, followed the instructions and now life on the road will be much better.

[RickyBobby]

The problem with the seats in the FR-S is there is only ~12" between the side bolsters. It's hard to find a lumbar pillow that small. The Ikea one should work since it's 12.2" wide, but it's only available by delivery in the US, and the delivery charge is $15. https://www.ikea.com/sg/en/p/bortber...lack-10447972/

My medicare advantage plan, yes I'm an old fart, gives us $90./quarter for OTC stuff. I ordered this one for free. It's 15" wide, too wide for the seat but works great on my computer chair. https://www.amazon.com/ComfiLife-Lum...08HPLZYS9?th=1

I found a black throw pillow for $9. instore at Walmart. It's ~13"-14" wide and tucks into the space between the bolsters. No straps but once you get it postioned right it does not move. Another con is that it has polyester fill, not memory foam.

I may also try this one. It's 12.6" wide and has 2 elastic straps and buckles that pass the buckle through the gap between the seat and the back. https://www.amazon.com/TISHIJIE-Memo...28&sr=8-5&th=1

Too wide for the seat. Straps are adjusted tight and may rip from the fabric over time.

Top does not sit flat against the seat even with straps adjusted tight.

Pillow fits between the bolsters but no straps to keep it in place.


After using the pillow for awhile it wasn't working. It moved when I got in, was hard to adjust, and too thick. I'm 5'11" and with the seat all the way back I was too cramped. Next up was the Amazon lumbar pillow.
The pilllow fit between the bolsters, the plastic buckles tucked securely into the seat fold and keep it secure. It's memory foam and not that thick but gives you enough support.

[blsfrs]

My 2 cents as a PT: In most cases, a lumbar support should fit between your rib cage and pelvis. I've looked a the seats in client's cars and haven't found any that I think have proper positioning. I generally recommend a folded bath or beach towel. Pillows tend to compress too much.