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Driver's Seat Remounted 3.75" Back

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by cycledrum, Apr 18, 2009.

  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    2009 Driver's Seat Remounted 3.75" Back

    *** This modification did not work out..brackets removed from car ... back to stock mount now ***

    Shop that did the modification -

    Mobility Access, Inc.
    dba Mobility Systems
    1010 Carleton Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
    (510) 540-0295 (800) 943-7333

    Mobility Systems Homepage

    Cost - $310

    Accountant said they've done quite a few Prius seat remounts.

    ----------------------
    Review (updated 4/27) -

    Positives: Seat slid back 3.5+" further, easily put back to stock setup, got full refund

    Negatives: Driver's seat crooked to right, front of seat lifted over 1", L/R did not click in simulataneously, seat rails yanked to left to attach front bolts.

    Went for an evaluation, the owner Bill said - put seat back all the way back, put arms straight out, palms down ... he'll move driver's seat back 3.5". I said another reported good results with front of seat lifted 2". He didn't recommend that saying legs will come down as you slide back. I said ok.

    I called back 20 minutes after dropping car off, talked to shop helper, said I've always thought Prius seat is too flat, can they angle it, but only with back of seat bottom lower. This may have started a problem.

    Next day, go to pick car up. As I slide seat back, notice left and right adjusters do not click in simultaneously, but I could get the seat to click in and be straight. I'm a bit excited just because the seat finally goes back about 4" further, more than I need.

    At home I notice the right front nut is on the bolt, but not tightened (there is a gap between OE bracket and aftermarket bracket). I also notice much more tilt back to seat bottom. Couple days later, went for a 2 hour drive, noticed the seat pressed too much into my thighs. I also needed to lift up steering wheel almost to highest position.

    I called the owner, said right front bolt/nut not tightened and tang not in alignment hole. Said he's look at it.

    I measured the front seat height while seat at same distance back as passenger's seat. Driver's seat about 1 1/8" higher - not good at all. Front brackets are useless (not adjustable).

    Next day I reported front of seat lifted. Owner said he will not rework the mounts, doesn't have time for repairs or me, wants to part ways, but will put back to stock and give a refund.

    Day later, I loosened the front mount bolts to let the seat settle in .... the rear brackets are causing the seat to angle noticeably to the right (see pics few pages down).

    At this point, the seat would now click in simulataneously when slid back and forth, but again, seat crooked to right. Now, the front bolt holes from aftermarket bracket were way off, almost too much to get the bolt in at an angle.

    So, the rear brackets are messed up as well as the front. I take the brackets out, put back to stock. Returned brackets to Mobility, got a refund. Back to square one, but have learned a few things.
    ----------------------

    Left front, seatrail 'foot' raised up about 1/2" from stock position
    IM002386.jpg

    Right front.
    IM002427.jpg

    Right rear
    IM002390.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  2. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Left rear. Downward bend in bracket, seat bottom lower

    IM002392.jpg

    full forward

    IM002394.jpg

    full back. Passenger seat full back, stock mount

    IM002395.jpg
     
  3. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    full back

    IM002398.jpg

    Below very close to stock mount, fully back

    IM002400.jpg

    Seat 2" back from fully extended stock position

    IM002402.jpg
     
  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    shoulder harness with seat 2" further back than normal.

    IM002407.jpg

    a toy :)

    IM002409.jpg

    reach (more tolerable than cramped legspace)

    IM002411.jpg
     
  5. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Interesting.

    I see that yours is a remount of the seat rails 3.75" back.

    nyprius' modifier in Massachusetts extended (not remounted) the seat rails a few inches back.

    I don't know exactly what epop23's modifier in Ohio did to extend his seat rails.

    EDIT: cycledrum is right in post #8 -- nyprius did not extend or lengthen the seat rails further back. He remounted them 3" further back. So in nyprius, epop23 and cycledrum's cases, the range of travel remains the same -- it's just a few inches further back.
     
  6. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Lower reach

    IM002413.jpg
     
  7. halpos4

    halpos4 "Taxi"!

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    That driver seat seems a big problem in the NA G2 Prius!!
     
  8. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    nyprius - they removed 'feet' and welded plate to seat rail, welded feet to plate. With respect, would seem harder to put back to stock, if prospective buyers insisted.

    epop23 - seems they used same method as mine.

    Mine appears a simple unbolt from brackets to put back to stock as technician said.
     
  9. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Driver's seat where I like it. Not bad back there.

    IM002416.jpg

    IM002417.jpg
     
  10. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    All the way back.

    IM002418.jpg

    Feels like a 2010 Insight with its seat fully back :)

    IM002420.jpg
     
  11. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Yes, you're right. nyprius' seat rails were not extended or lengthened additional inches to the rear. His range of travel remains the same. It's just remounted a few inches further back like yours.

    Curious, did you opt not to do epop23's tilt/thigh support modification in the front?

    Congrats!
     
  12. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    edited 5/3

    The tech said he was against raising the front of the seat, but the front of the seat is 1 1/8" than passenger's when both at same amount back. I have found a lifted front of seat, that has been moved back ... to not be desirable. Front of seat presses into thighs too much and limits clearance between knees and the steering wheel (especially for those with long legs, the one's who'd have seat moved back to start with).

    Every decent height adjuster I've seen moves the seat down as it goes back.
     
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Lack of seat track travel, height adjuster, telescopic steering and lumbar support are the usual suspects.
     
  14. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Added more comments in 1st post and edited post #12.
     
  15. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    re-edited post #12, response to Boo's question.
     
  16. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    You should be able to place your wrist on top of the steering wheel whilst seated comfortably with shoulders back against the seat back. Be careful of having the seat too far back.
    Glad I'm short. Short people are nicer people. Sorry but it's true.
     
  17. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Not what I heard... :D

    Anyhoo, my elbows are slightly bent while grasping top of steering wheel, shoulders back.

    Lucky for ya'll, my complaining may be over. Need to learn to not complain, just modify, modify. ;)
     
  18. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Can I say, without being critical (I'm actually jealous), that that left rear mount makes me nervous. I just can't see that holding up properly in an accident. The front mounts are a tad sketchy, but I think they'd be fine as those plates seem pretty stout...the weak link there would be the bolt b/w the plate and bracket.

    It seems like it would be a good idea to tighten those bolts once in a while, esp. after the first couple of weeks.
     
  19. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    The right front mount is shoddy and front of seat too high. I might try to fix it at home.

    IM002426.jpg

    Good call. Will check fasteners soon and often.
     
  20. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Commentary edited in first post -