My attempt to resolve the uncomfortable seat problem

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by ishootstuff, Mar 1, 2014.

  1. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    I'm liking the Prius we replaced our Expedition with, but it is literally painful for me to drive for more than an hour. From my research, there is no low cost bolt in replacement.

    I am going to attempt to install seats from a first generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. They are only half an inch wider on the bottom cushion than the stock seats and very comfy. I picked up some seats off craigslist for $80. They are dirty, but in good shape. They are both full power with lumbar, height, tilt, and recline adjustments.

    I don't care about the airbag in the seat. I ride a turbo motorcycle, so bodily harm is inevitable, and I have defeated airbag lights with a resistor before.

    Here's the passenger seat...
    [​IMG]

    Here's the driver seat torn down for fabrication, cleaning, and fitting...

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    This project will take some time, but today I cut off the factory Jeep brackets and relocated them to line up in the Prius. The brackets are only tacked in place for now.

    [​IMG]

    More to come in the future. Comments and suggestions are welcome!
     
    #1 ishootstuff, Mar 1, 2014
    Daves09prius likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,187
    50,614
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sweet! i just know you are going to make this happen. i wish my diy skills were like yours. the good thing is that you won't lose stuff between the cushion and the center console. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 1, 2014
  3. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    680
    161
    0
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Hey ishootstuff, how's the project coming along? Were you able to make the seats work?
     
    #3 Daves09prius, Jul 30, 2014
  4. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    Life has gotten in the way and I have been consumed with other projects. In addition, the heat in southern AZ makes it hard to get motivated to weld and fabricate. I'll probably get back to it when the temps drop.
     
    #4 ishootstuff, Jul 30, 2014
  5. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
    1,333
    317
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Replace it with an Avalon and that will solve the uncomfortable seat problem. That's what I did and the 2014 Avalon seats work for me.
     
    #5 Okinawa, Jul 30, 2014
  6. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    Are the Avalon seats a bolt in replacement with no fabrication required?
     
    #6 ishootstuff, Jul 30, 2014
  7. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    680
    161
    0
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Yeah Okinawa, are they really a bolt in replacement? or are you telling us to buy the entire 2014 toyota Avalon because they have more comfortable seats? You've got my hopes way up now...:)
     
    #7 Daves09prius, Jul 30, 2014
  8. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    I looked at some pictures on ebay and the brackets are definitely different on the inside rear portion. If the other parts line up, that would be nice.
     
    #8 ishootstuff, Jul 30, 2014
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,187
    50,614
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the camry seats line up better, there is a thread here on it, but still takes some work. no welding iirc. yes okinawa is so happy with his avalon, he wants to buy one for everybody!(y)
     
    #9 bisco, Jul 30, 2014
    Okinawa likes this.
  10. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
    1,333
    317
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I was suggesting that you buy the entire 2014 Avalon because they have more comfortable seats. Just kidding around with you. I just bought one because I am an old guy and this no doubt will be my last car and I just wanted a luxury car. The Prius is a fantastic car and the reliability can not be beat. The Avalon is a nice comfortable car though.
     
    #10 Okinawa, Jul 30, 2014
  11. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    OK, gotcha. Well if I had my choice, I'd bolt in the seats from any of my Lexuses as they are all fantastic - and generally expensive.
     
    #11 ishootstuff, Jul 31, 2014
    Daves09prius likes this.
  12. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    680
    161
    0
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    One
    #12 Daves09prius, Jul 31, 2014
  13. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
    1,333
    317
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I think they are worth it.
     
    #13 Okinawa, Jul 31, 2014
  14. cky3k

    cky3k New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2014
    10
    6
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    any update here?
     
    #14 cky3k, Dec 8, 2014
  15. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    No, I found that pillows in the right places are good enough and the seats were just too ugly. We took it on a trip from southern AZ to northern Utah and I did OK.
     
    #15 ishootstuff, Dec 9, 2014
  16. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    Final update on this... I bought some seats from a 96 Camry and they were very close to fitting, but they didn't. After that I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had my skull opened up for surgical removal. I no longer drive, I'm now deaf in my left ear, constantly dizzy and my right ear is over sensitive. So, last night we bought a Camry Hybrid. Yes, I'm sacrificing some mileage, but it's so quiet and comfy. It has heated leather seats, moon roof, dual climate control, blah blah. It's better on my damaged brain. Prius will be going up for sale soon. Just cracked 108k.

    Looks just like this...
    [​IMG]
     
    #16 ishootstuff, Jan 5, 2017
  17. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    751
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    wow, sorry to hear that. I hope you get better over time.
     
    #17 69shovlhed, Jan 5, 2017
  18. ishootstuff

    ishootstuff Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2014
    39
    18
    0
    Location:
    Palm Coast Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    SE
    Thank you.
     
    #18 ishootstuff, Jan 6, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)