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Was anyone able to install the Japanese height-adjustable seats in a Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by PaulRivers, Feb 25, 2010.

  1. PaulRivers

    PaulRivers Member

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    I've searched around, but I just haven't been able to find anything, so I imagine the answer is probably "no".

    But I'm having that "I'm to tall for the Prius" issue which would be fixed if the front seat was like 1" shorter, and I've read that the japanese model had height adjustable seats.

    Has anyone on this forum successfully been able to order and replace the front seat with the Japanese version?
     
  2. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    The Japanese driver seat is on the right hand side, so I doubt you could make it work in yours.
     
  3. PaulRivers

    PaulRivers Member

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    Err...well that's a good point. Maybe the passenger seat as a drivers seat in the US?
     
  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    The Japan passenger seat would be non-height adjustable. Passenger seat has an occupant ECU that would not jive with the US driver's side wiring.

    Some countries have the left hand height adjustable driver's seat. I've never heard anyone on Priuschat importing either a new or used LH ht. adj. seat. Even if you could import a spankin' new seat, keep in mind, Toyota's price on a US Prius driver's seat with airbag is about $2,500 + tax. That is not a typo.

    >> But, if you find a way to import a good used height adjustable Prius driver's seat from some European salvage yard, do let us know. <<

    The reason you feel so tall in the car is the 'Gen2' Prius seat is 'parked' at 80% of the max height of an adjustable seat (it's 2 out of 2.5" inches up) and that's not good for us tall folks. It's a fairly small seat frame with short, narrow seat bottom. I give the seat and steering wheel / adjustements a 3.5/10, grade F, even though they are quality built, just terrible design.

    Toyota could have copied the 2006 Honda Civic seat and steering wheel and made us all happy. But, it's more than that. The touchscreen is placed high and far away, not good for sliding back far and down. The Gen2 is just flat out Not a tall friendly car. And headroom is not the issue with the dome shaped roof, it's being able to see things 'up there' like traffic lights, signs, etc...

    I spent from Dec. 24 to Jan 19th 'blending' 2 good used seats to make a height adjustable 'Prius' driver's seat. You may have seen my thread. The mods help a great deal, seat is about 7/10 now. Not as good as a 2010 Prius, no way, but you won't see me putting my original seat back in until time to sell the car. ;) And I have the height adjust 3 cranks up from fully down and seat slid 1 1/4" back further from stock. Reach to steering wheel is not bad.

    One more thing. At first, I didn't think I could make it through the mods, but I did it. And I'm no upholstery pro, just a regular guy with some mechanical skills and tools.
     
  5. PaulRivers

    PaulRivers Member

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    Thanks for the reply, to you and the other people.

    The 2010 Prius is just to expensive for me. I was hoping the Gen 2 Prius would fit the bill, but it looks like there's no easy solution - I was hoping to be able to just buy a seat for < $1,000 and have it put in. I'm 6"0, but I seem to have a longer torso than usual as my other 6"0 friends have to headroom issues in cars where I'm crammed in like a sardine.

    Ah well. Thanks for all the feedback!
     
  6. PaulRivers

    PaulRivers Member

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    One other thing just occurred to me - don't suppose anyone knows if the 2010 Prius front seat would be installable in the Gen 2 Prius?

    Maybe I could order it, or find one in a junkyard from a crash or something...
     
  7. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Here's what I do know -

    The 2010 Prius seat will not drop into the 'Gen2' Prius bolt holes - the seat rail width is about 1" wider on the 2010 and the mount feet are totally different. (Tell ya what though, the 2010 rails and feet are beefier though).

    I have not looked at the electrical connectors on the 2010, but I'll bet they are different.

    It's not to say it can't be done, but I haven't heard of it yet.

    One more thing ... I had a very tough time locating quality used seats from a wrecked car. Lot of junk out there. It can be done, but not easy.
     
  8. Despo

    Despo New Member

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    Hi there... I have a swedish sold prius, it has height adjustable seats..
    Here is a link to the swedish scrapyard database..
    If it's hard to read, run trough google translate.

    bildelsbasen.se

    //Tobias
     
  9. tanprius

    tanprius New Member

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    Has anyone installed a "cooling" seat like the Lexus has? My A$$ keeps getting overheated on long car trips.