I'm going to attempt adding height adjustment to the driver's seat

I'm having a 2008 Corolla driver's seat with height adjust in Gray cloth shipped into CA from Utah. The Corolla shares the same seat frame dimensions as the Gen II Prius.

This is a decent online parts locator -
www.car-part.com

I just got through saying how good a sheepskin seat cover is and how it helped to shape the seat bottom foam. Yet, for me, the seat will never be right without adjusting the seat bottom closer to the floorboard.

I know it will never be great without having telescopic steering wheel, but for sure, that will never happen in this Gen II car. But for now, gotta try making it the best as possible.

I wonder how many weeks it will take to blend a Corolla and Prius seat. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes me 6 weeks in spare time outside work to do this.

I'll be following Solar_Powered's method shown in his .pdf document.

I haven't read a lot of feedback from people who've used the extend bracket to push the seat straight back farther. Hard to imagine tall people are overly thrilled with that because any decent mechanical height adjuser moves a seat down and back simultaneously.

nyprius was still disappointed years ago after moving his seat only back. He's a trusted source and I know exactly what he was talking about. Who's the *&^%& at Toyota who gave us the fuel tank bladder and nixed the seat height adjuster?

 

That's fine.

Danny / admin, feel free to move this thread to mods section.

 

I got burned the 2nd time ordering a seat out of a wrecked car, sight unseen. The first one shipped to my house had a frame bent sideways.

Today I drove 65 or 70 miles to Stockton, to LKQ will call for a 08 Corolla seat shipped there from Utah. I'm thinking, 08, should be good and they said it would be.

As I'm walking to the bathroom, I look back to see a Corolla seat with Black fabric (was supposed to be Gray) and no seat belt latch on it. I'm thinking, this is not going well.

So I go over and flip the seat on its back .... A complete rust bucket frame, and I'm mainly interested in a quality frame. LKQ is a huge chain of salvage yards, I think just about nationwide. I won't buy from them again. They likey cater to shops and don't seem to care about the little guy.

I was quite up front that I wanted a high quality seat and will pay for it. Of course they brag about their quality and inspection of products sold. Sure, the seat didn't have rips in the fabric, but they forgot to look underneath at the frame and sides. The project is going to be enough work without polishing an entire frame.

Didn't know how lucky I was in April to drive 7 miles, pick up a very nice 07 Corolla seat for $125. Chose not to try the height adjuster mod at that time.

It'll take a week or so for a refund. At least it's only $158.
edit - called yesterday for refund that day for getting screwed driving to Stockton for a junk part.

 

I've got a couple options -

There is a used Corolla seat for $300 in San Jose at a salvage yard. It is tan, but I can use the trim off the 05 seat (that has bent frame). If that one is junk, I can order a brand new 05 - 08 Corolla seat frame from Toyota for $485 + tax.

Toyota sells seat frames if the seat has no airbag. If it has airbag, must buy the whole seat for ~ $2.5k, but who would do that.

 

This thread ought to be entitled 'going to add height adjustment to driver's seat or the car will be sold'.

I'm finished driving around ducking down here and there to see.

At this point I'll only drive the car around once a week to keep the battery fresh.

Sour grapes, kidding around? Nope.