Extending 2006 Prius Seat for Tall Driver

Timothyom · 01-10-2006, 03:25 PM

Hi Everyone-

I am new to Prius Chat; long time listener first time caller. Thanks to the great advice I have gleaned from Prius Chat members I am the proud new ower of a 2006 Prius. I love the car however I have one problem I would like help with. I am tall, 6'2" and find the front seats to be very cramped. Does anyone have insight on if and how I can extend the seats? Your feedback is appreciated.

**efusco** · 01-10-2006, 03:31 PM

Asked, answered and wished for many times over.

It is possible, but it isn't easy and won't be cheap. It will require not only extending the tracks for the seat, but also moving/adjusting the air bag sensors on the seat that determine the position of the seat for deployment...that seems to be the biggest difficulty.

A high end car customizer ought to be able to help you out, but don't expect to get off cheaply.

A few people have simply raised the front of the seat by an 1/2"-1" by using washers and a longer bolt. This gives better thigh support and has the effect of making you more comfortable.

I use a wedge shaped cushion with the thick end in the front for the same effect...it helps quite a lot but isn't a perfect solution.

flynz4 · 01-10-2006, 04:06 PM

I am 6'7" and would prefer a longer track too... but I do fit in OK. I think I am proportionally taller in the torso.

/Jim

PRIUSGT · 01-27-2006, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Timothyom@Jan 10 2006, 03:25 PM
Hi Everyone-

I am new to Prius Chat; long time listener first time caller. Thanks to the great advice I have gleaned from Prius Chat members I am the proud new ower of a 2006 Prius. I love the car however I have one problem I would like help with. I am tall, 6'2" and find the front seats to be very cramped. Does anyone have insight on if and how I can extend the seats? Your feedback is appreciated.

[snapback]187185[/snapback]

I'm 6'5 so I know the problem you have. I just slam the seat back and give it enoguh tilt so my head is not smashed up into the roof. Other than that I have not found a better way to fit into the car.

cgates30 · 01-30-2006, 01:18 AM

I'm having the same problem. I just got the car this week ('06 package 6) and the only problem with the car is how uncomfortable the front seats are during a long drive (no thigh support). I'm also 6'2" and my wife is 5'2", so I'd really like to find a solution that involves adjusting the seat up/down with tilt. Longer bolts/washers might help with thigh support for me, but it may make the seat uncomfortable for my sweety. I may try this anyway just to see.

I'd consider a new seat if it has the height/tilt adjustments... In searching priuschat I saw someone installed ricaro seats for over a grand (yikes!), but the height adjustment is with four bolts. Not exactly a good idea for sharing the car with someone a foot shorter than I am...

I'll call a couple of places this week to see if I can a) find an adjustable bracket, or

an adjustable seat in the $500 range. I like option a the best, especially if it comes with tracks that can slide back another inch or so.

Hi Efusco! Your EV mod is well written and I'm looking forward to installing it to use with my headlight flashers!

PerdidoKeyPrius · 02-04-2006, 09:04 PM

My father and I have the same problem. He has modified his prius by using legnths of 1/4" thick X 1" wide strap iron, with 2 bolts going down into the body, and 2 bolts going up into the seat bracket per side. Essentially moving the whole slider assembly back about 4 inches.

In the forward position it is still driveable by his wife, set all the way back he gets the legroom he needs. Cost was about $4, and involved some steel cutting and drilling, that is all.

His toyota dealer in California wouldn't install his aftermarket seat covers because they could "keep the side airbags from deploying" but this same dealer had no problem with his seat mod.

I personally (if I ever get the time) would like to research the seat bracket, match it up to existing older model sliders, hit the junkyard, cut-n-paste with a mig welder... then grind/powdercoat and reinstall allowing a larger range of sliding adjustment motion. In the end, I want it to look OEM and operate seamlessly.

If I ever get around to this, I bet I'd have some orders for a pro-built powder-coated fully adjustable frame.

SomervillePrius · 02-04-2006, 09:25 PM

I would like to 1) push the seat back a little more (there is plenty of room in the back), 2) be able to tilt thefront of the seat up to get better leg support and

Not sure about adjusting the seat. As I understand it the seat position determines how fast the front air bags deploy so "fooling" the system with an extender might have unforseen consequenses.

The seats are not good, but I must say that they are better then my first impressions told me. I'm a little suprised that toyota hasn't fixed this (at least as an option).

larswest · 11-12-2006, 07:20 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PerdidoKeyPrius @ Feb 4 2006, 09:04 PM) [snapback]203897[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My father and I have the same problem. He has modified his prius by using legnths of 1/4" thick X 1" wide strap iron, with 2 bolts going down into the body, and 2 bolts going up into the seat bracket per side. Essentially moving the whole slider assembly back about 4 inches.

In the forward position it is still driveable by his wife, set all the way back he gets the legroom he needs. Cost was about $4, and involved some steel cutting and drilling, that is all.

His toyota dealer in California wouldn't install his aftermarket seat covers because they could "keep the side airbags from deploying" but this same dealer had no problem with his seat mod.

I personally (if I ever get the time) would like to research the seat bracket, match it up to existing older model sliders, hit the junkyard, cut-n-paste with a mig welder... then grind/powdercoat and reinstall allowing a larger range of sliding adjustment motion. In the end, I want it to look OEM and operate seamlessly.

If I ever get around to this, I bet I'd have some orders for a pro-built powder-coated fully adjustable frame.
[/b]

I am 6' 2'', I also have an hip replacement and absoutely need more legroom to be able to drive comfortably. I really can not understand why TOYOTA does not provide for taller drivers, all that room in the back seat seldom used. Is there any way the person that extended the seat rails could provide a little more detailed information ?

amnon · 11-05-2007, 04:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PerdidoKeyPrius @ Feb 4 2006, 07:04 PM) [snapback]203897[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My father and I have the same problem. He has modified his prius by using legnths of 1/4" thick X 1" wide strap iron, with 2 bolts going down into the body, and 2 bolts going up into the seat bracket per side. Essentially moving the whole slider assembly back about 4 inches.

In the forward position it is still driveable by his wife, set all the way back he gets the legroom he needs. Cost was about $4, and involved some steel cutting and drilling, that is all.

His toyota dealer in California wouldn't install his aftermarket seat covers because they could "keep the side airbags from deploying" but this same dealer had no problem with his seat mod.

I personally (if I ever get the time) would like to research the seat bracket, match it up to existing older model sliders, hit the junkyard, cut-n-paste with a mig welder... then grind/powdercoat and reinstall allowing a larger range of sliding adjustment motion. In the end, I want it to look OEM and operate seamlessly.

If I ever get around to this, I bet I'd have some orders for a pro-built powder-coated fully adjustable frame.
[/b]

Yes you would! (I'm 6'3"). A bracket that can be adjusted by hand up/down a few inches (2 would be great, I don't really need to go further back) would be great for me. Sign me up :-)!

larswest · 11-06-2007, 10:46 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Timothyom @ Jan 10 2006, 04:25 PM) [snapback]187185[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi Everyone-

I am new to Prius Chat; long time listener first time caller. Thanks to the great advice I have gleaned from Prius Chat members I am the proud new ower of a 2006 Prius. I love the car however I have one problem I would like help with. I am tall, 6'2" and find the front seats to be very cramped. Does anyone have insight on if and how I can extend the seats? Your feedback is appreciated.

[/b]

I asked my dealer who sent it to shop and had it done before I took delivery, they charged me $6oo, worth every penny! I can really stretch out and the the seat still moves foreward enough for short persons. I think Toyota made a serious error when they designed this seat rail movement.

Lars

01-10-2006, 03:31 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 18,585 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 130 Thanked 594 Times in 329 Posts Friends: 42	Asked, answered and wished for many times over. It is possible, but it isn't easy and won't be cheap. It will require not only extending the tracks for the seat, but also moving/adjusting the air bag sensors on the seat that determine the position of the seat for deployment...that seems to be the biggest difficulty. A high end car customizer ought to be able to help you out, but don't expect to get off cheaply. A few people have simply raised the front of the seat by an 1/2"-1" by using washers and a longer bolt. This gives better thigh support and has the effect of making you more comfortable. I use a wedge shaped cushion with the thick end in the front for the same effect...it helps quite a lot but isn't a perfect solution. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

02-04-2006, 09:25 PM	#7
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 945 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I would like to 1) push the seat back a little more (there is plenty of room in the back), 2) be able to tilt thefront of the seat up to get better leg support and Not sure about adjusting the seat. As I understand it the seat position determines how fast the front air bags deploy so "fooling" the system with an extender might have unforseen consequenses. The seats are not good, but I must say that they are better then my first impressions told me. I'm a little suprised that toyota hasn't fixed this (at least as an option). __________________ help start a revolution! Demand PLUG IN Hybrids to be built today!

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01-10-2006, 03:25 PM	#1
Timothyom Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi Everyone- I am new to Prius Chat; long time listener first time caller. Thanks to the great advice I have gleaned from Prius Chat members I am the proud new ower of a 2006 Prius. I love the car however I have one problem I would like help with. I am tall, 6'2" and find the front seats to be very cramped. Does anyone have insight on if and how I can extend the seats? Your feedback is appreciated.

01-10-2006, 04:06 PM	#3
flynz4 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 263 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I am 6'7" and would prefer a longer track too... but I do fit in OK. I think I am proportionally taller in the torso. /Jim

01-30-2006, 01:18 AM	#5
cgates30 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 29 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	I'm having the same problem. I just got the car this week ('06 package 6) and the only problem with the car is how uncomfortable the front seats are during a long drive (no thigh support). I'm also 6'2" and my wife is 5'2", so I'd really like to find a solution that involves adjusting the seat up/down with tilt. Longer bolts/washers might help with thigh support for me, but it may make the seat uncomfortable for my sweety. I may try this anyway just to see. I'd consider a new seat if it has the height/tilt adjustments... In searching priuschat I saw someone installed ricaro seats for over a grand (yikes!), but the height adjustment is with four bolts. Not exactly a good idea for sharing the car with someone a foot shorter than I am... I'll call a couple of places this week to see if I can a) find an adjustable bracket, or an adjustable seat in the $500 range. I like option a the best, especially if it comes with tracks that can slide back another inch or so. Hi Efusco! Your EV mod is well written and I'm looking forward to installing it to use with my headlight flashers!

02-04-2006, 09:04 PM	#6
PerdidoKeyPrius Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My father and I have the same problem. He has modified his prius by using legnths of 1/4" thick X 1" wide strap iron, with 2 bolts going down into the body, and 2 bolts going up into the seat bracket per side. Essentially moving the whole slider assembly back about 4 inches. In the forward position it is still driveable by his wife, set all the way back he gets the legroom he needs. Cost was about $4, and involved some steel cutting and drilling, that is all. His toyota dealer in California wouldn't install his aftermarket seat covers because they could "keep the side airbags from deploying" but this same dealer had no problem with his seat mod. I personally (if I ever get the time) would like to research the seat bracket, match it up to existing older model sliders, hit the junkyard, cut-n-paste with a mig welder... then grind/powdercoat and reinstall allowing a larger range of sliding adjustment motion. In the end, I want it to look OEM and operate seamlessly. If I ever get around to this, I bet I'd have some orders for a pro-built powder-coated fully adjustable frame.