Anyone have a good way to improve the comfort of the OEM seat? Options

[malcolm2]

Things to do before the 2017 Okteenerfest.

I want OEM seats, but the foam just ain't cuttin' it. 6 hours to and from Banner Elk was not comfortable at all. Even with a food break at 3 hours.

IIRC the foam I currently have had 1985 stamped on it when I re-did the hardy board under the seat, so it is not original. But it is still old.

Ideas?

[mepstein]

I bought super dense foam on eBay. You can use an electric meat carving knife to cut the foam. Videos on YouTube.

[malcolm2]

I bought super dense foam on eBay. You can use an electric meat carving knife to cut the foam. Videos on YouTube.

So look for "super dense"?

[Amphicar770]

Search for "High Density Foam"

[oakdalecurtis]

One modification I made to my drivers seat, since I am tall, is to raise the front edge of the seat about an inch and a half. This gives my legs much better thigh support and reduces leg fatigue. I need the seat all the way back, so tilting the seat back to raise the front edge is not an option. I fastened a piece of vinyl covered wood to the fiberglass bucket, across and under the front edge of the cushion. Then I used a picture hanger hook attached to the top of the wood lift to act as the hook for the seat cushion's front tab, to hold the cushion in place. I also added some dense vinyl covered foam behind the riser block to support the center of the seat. Here's a couple of pics to give you the idea.

[Jamie]

I just took the original driver side seat to a local shop and had some new padding added above the old. Worked well for the trip to Okteenerfest, about a 6 hr. drive from home. My butt thanked me for the job when I arrived in Banner Elk!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Brian Mifsud]

This isn't my seat, but I bought an inflatable Lumbar Support to insert under the upholstery for my low back. You can "tune" it to your best position before rebuilding the seat. No electrics needed as it uses the blood-pressure style bulb-pump.

[url=http://www.mactops.com/img/auto_interiors/5.jpg]

[Mike Bellis]

Funny. My 914 is the only vehicle I own that can be driven for 8 hours and not cause me back pain. I guess we are all built different.

[horizontally-opposed]

Stock 914 seats are among the most comfortable road-trip seats I've ever sat in....and my much shorter father felt the same way about them after 10-hour drives.

[Sedonut]

I've always loved the seats. Now and 40 years earlier. Try losing weight ? Are you too tall ?

Some cars I don't fit in. I usually sell them and try a different car.

[malcolm2]

I guess it is my ass and my tail bone. This is the only car that I have to take my wallet out of my back pocket on these long trips.

I can feel the shell on my backbone after a while too.

Maybe it does have something to do with the fact that the PO put new, non-OEM foam in at some point.

[db9146]

Malcolm2, I agree with you. 5+ hours last year from Okteenerfest home did my back in for several days so this year, I slipped an air bladder in behind the back pad and that amount of lumbar support did help.

But I'm still looking for options.

[Jamie]

Have you investigated the optional seats at classiccarseats.com yet? I almost bought a driver side seat, but that would not be in keeping with my original car theme, so the extra padding did the trick, and for less money.

[mgp4591]

I bought super dense foam on eBay. You can use an electric meat carving knife to cut the foam. Videos on YouTube.

So look for "super dense"?

Anyone ever try anything like wrestling mat shaped to fit for all of the best support areas? I remember that being VERY supportive when my face was ground into it in high school... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[My 914]

I guess it is my ass and my tail bone. This is the only car that I have to take my wallet out of my back pocket on these long trips.

I can feel the shell on my backbone after a while too.

Maybe it does have something to do with the fact that the PO put new, non-OEM foam in at some point.

Taking your wallet out of your back pocket is always a good idea on long trips. It reduces back fatigue and gives you less leg fatigue and numbness when you finally get out of the car.
On trips over 2 hours, even a 5 minute stop and stretch can make a big difference.

[horizontally-opposed]

I guess it is my ass and my tail bone. This is the only car that I have to take my wallet out of my back pocket on these long trips.

I can feel the shell on my backbone after a while too.

Maybe it does have something to do with the fact that the PO put new, non-OEM foam in at some point.

Betting it is the foam. Even 30+ years old factory foam was still super comfy. If you can feel the frame, then it's baaaaaaad foam.

pete

[black73]

914 Rubber has high density foam already cut to fit.

[rmdinmd]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) But I would still recommend not having the wallet in your back pocket if you have lots of stuff in it. my drive was around 5 hours and even with the thicker cushion after about 3 hours you can use a short break.

[ClayPerrine]

I don't have a problem with 914 seats. They seem to be just fine for me.

But I would suggest that you stop every time you reach a half tank of gas. We refueled at that point, but you don't have to. It is good to get up and move around outside the car.

[DRPHIL914]

its a long drive in a 914 but my seats are very comfortable regarding lumbar support because when I rebuilt them I added extra padding in the lumbar area and the whole back part uder the tartan. on the passenger seat I put all new high density foam and wrapped it with a couple layers of fiberfill type stuff from upholstery shop. My passenger said it was great- we had a 400 mile- 6 hour drive as well. Unfortunately I used the original foam on the drivers seat so that is going to get pulled out and re-done when the car goes to paint- but- it wasn't too bad, just needs abit of extra padding - mark Whitesell has high density foam at 914 rubber you can get as well. I have a chunck of it and might use it along with some memory foam - I have to say I do miss my 911 seats I had in the car they were very comfortable, I would probably like more side bolster support, and would consider Renegade or GTS seats in the future for better overall support when driving the mountain roads.