Finally, I've got a height adjustable driver's seat

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Solar_Powered @ Aug 2 2006, 05:32 PM) [snapback]296623[/snapback]</div>

Nice to know there's someone else out here who's even more obsessive about height comfort than me. Just to let the rest of you know, I sent a note to Speedware Motorsports regarding putting Recaro Trends into a 2006 Prius. He said he'd find out about seat measurements and available space and get back to me next week - I'll share with Priuschat what I find out. He was not aware of anyone putting the Trends into a Prius, though I think that I read on one of these boards about someone having done it.

 

Great job. What a crying shame you had to do that at all, though, really.

I've got my Prius on order, and at 6'1", I'm a bit concerned about this...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmzach @ Aug 2 2006, 04:54 PM) [snapback]296632[/snapback]</div>

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I can tell you already that they fit. I came REALLY close to putting them in... but decided on just adding lumbar and heat to the factory seats.

Now... about lowering the things... WOW! You're my new hero. Man, there has just GOT to be an easier way though. Without knowing a thing about which I speak... it would seem that modifying the Japan factory seat left-to-right would be an easier task??? Who knows. I just know that I want mine lower! Thanks tons for sharing.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Solar_Powered @ Aug 2 2006, 06:32 PM) [snapback]296623[/snapback]</div>

Man, that is useful to all of us here. It is like gold. Only now that there is a solution, I am going to have to way how bad I want it. Seems to me like a few weekends to do the project. Thank you though, I will copy the instructions to me hard drive.

You did great!

Toyota are you listening?

 

Is Japan the only country with this kind of seat? What about Europe.. You would figure if this seat was there, just grab the German one stock, for instance...

 

Solar, does the seat sit any further back now that you are done?

Nate

 

These seats are standard in all of Europe, so it would have been a lot easier just to ship a replacement from a German dealer. Possibly more expensive though.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Solar_Powered @ Aug 2 2006, 07:32 PM) [snapback]296623[/snapback]</div>

Thank you for this excellent post! I'm not sure I'd have the patience or ability to do all the work you've done. Having studied the seat extensively, do you think it would be possible to drill lower holes in the four pieces of metal extending up from the seat rails that hold the seat in place? It appears I could do this then bolt the seat at a lower position. If I sold the car, I could return it to normal. What do you think?

Also, it would be great to know if it's possible to get a height adjustable LHD seat from Europe and what it wold cost? Toyota ought to start making these available for US Prius's. Providing these seats for free or at a nominal cost would partly make up for the mistake of not providing height adjustable seats in the US, as they are provided in Japan and Europe.

 

WOW! ...... I am completely speechless and in total awe.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Solar_Powered @ Aug 3 2006, 02:13 PM) [snapback]297088[/snapback]</div>

Thanks! Clearly the fix I was suggesting wouldn't work if there were two drivers of different heights. I'm the only driver of my car. If someone short needed to drive it, I'd give them a pillow.

Can you say more about the rear mounting structure? As far as I could tell, there seemed to be four triangular pieces of metal coming up from runners in the seat rails. The points of the triangles were at the top. There was a hole through each triangle near the top, to which the seat was bolted. The metal was partly bent for stength, but that didn't seem to preclude drilling a lower hole to which the seat could be mounted, possibly with longer bolts if necessary. What was it about the rear supporting plates that made this seem not viable?

 

In the end, how much lower would you say the seat can go? (Front/rear)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Solar_Powered @ Aug 3 2006, 08:51 PM) [snapback]297400[/snapback]</div>

Thanks again Solar_Powered! This is excellent info! I was looking under the seat while it was in the car. So I couldn't see exactly what was going on. Your picture helps a lot. Even lowering the seat a 1/2" would make a noticable improvement I think. If I wanted to lower the seat an inch, the ideal amount for me, it seems I could trim or file off some of support bracket. I'm pretty sure the supports are meant to shear off in a severe accident. I'm concerned that welding might limit the ability to shear. Of course, what I'm suggesting might affect shearing as well, but probably not as much.

Your pictures shows the bracket bolted on the bottom but riveted on the top. I can't see the other side of the rivet. Do you know if it's bolted or riveted on the other side? It looks like it might be difficult to drill out the rivet. So I was hoping the rivet is a fixed post with a bolt on the other side.

 

In The Netherlands, all Priusses have the height adjustable driver seat.
I called the parts department of the dealer.
The chair consists of loose components which can be bought seperately.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sho-Bud @ Aug 4 2006, 03:23 AM) [snapback]297543[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Sho-Bud! Do you know what the whole seat would cost in tan fabric? Alternatively, could you provide a website or phone number where I could get this info?

I had the seat rails extended on my Prius so it slides back three inches further, providing a lot more leg room. I assume I could take the rails off the old seat and put it on the new one. Though, I'd have to check if the height adjustable and non-height adjustable seats have the same rails.

Toyota should make this seat available in the US. US Prius owners shouldn't have to deal with the cost of shipping it in from Europe. Also, I wonder if the seat would make it through customs. Or does it need USDOT approval before being used in the US.

This is as much a safety as a comfort issue. My visibility is significantly restricted out of the front and rear windshields because I sit too high in the car. This means not providing seat height adjustment, as it is provided in Japan and Europe, increases the chance of having an accident, as well as substantially decreases driver comfort. For the safety and comfort of their loyal customers, Toyota ought to make it easy for US Prius owners to replace their driver's seats with ones that have height adjustment.