Did you: add 'Adjustable' Lumbar support or Replace drivers seat?

1) Have you changed out your cloth manual drivers seat to a Prius leather SofTex electric, junk yard 'brand' or aftermarket seat?

2) Or have you found a way to add 'ADJUSTABLE' Lumbar support to your cloth manual seat?
*** please consider posts about lumbar pads added, even under seat covers, as off topic and for another thread as I already am doing this. (thanks )

I've read many 'seat threads' on PC with ideas for changes/ swap outs to our cloth non (electric) adjustable seats, but no clear reports of which seats 'actually' installed with reports of how it was done, what was involved, costs, etc. So if you have done this or can provide a link to someone who has, that would be great. I am in the SF Bay Area, so any references to (pref used) seats sources would be a bonus.

I would be very willing to try to get a junk yard driver only, both fronts or all from a wrecked Prius for the right price. It seems the Four*, Five*, v and Advanced PiP came with electric Fau leather SofTex seats, right? *optional on Fours and maybe Fives?

I am very interested if anyone has either added the adjustable lumbar (factory or aftermarket) to their 2010 + Prius. Or can point me to threads where this has been done.
Thanks

 

Just yesterday, a friend that just got a 2014 Advanced stopped by. This was my first try of the leather adjustable seats. I have to agree with you Alan, that lumbar adjustment felt very, very nice! It seemed air controlled vs a mechanical moving cushion. Do the Prius leather seats use an air bag for lumbar? It sure is sweet. Hence my new 'quest'.

If I hear from folks that swapping in a leather electric seat is a plug and play from models that came with them, I will begin a search for wrecks and junk yards. If they can be found, the SF Bay area may only be second to So. Calif. for used Prius leather seats. Too soon to tell (as the Budddists say).

Would 2010 be the cut off for (possible) matching seats for a 2013 PiP? Big 'IF" Base model PIP has same harness and connectors under the seat as the Advanced PiP (and 2010+ models w/ leather???)

 

ursle,
I appreciate the spirit of the reply, but as mentioned, I appreciate only discussion here of 'Adjustable' lumbar solutions. There are already many threads on various 'cushion' options. I read and tried them all (trust me). I already am using a lumbar pad that I went to great lengths to create that does work pretty well. BUT, the reason for my post here is to find info about getting 'Adjustable' lumbar support (and not by changing cushions ). I bought a few cushions, including exactly the one you linked (3" thick or so IIRC), and they were all way too thick for 'me'. The one I made is 3/4" thick neoprene.
Ursle, thank you again for your helpful intension.

 

Understand they are not actually leather. I just call them leather to differentiate from cloth because I can never remember what manufacturers call their faux leather. I just edited the original post for clarity on this.

Did the 'Five' come standard with SofTex or was it an option? I seem to recall some 'Fours' came with cloth, which would make it an option on that model. Just want to know if I ever go 'junk yard' shopping.

 

Bucky35,
This looks awesome. The manual inflate for $40 and an electric inflate for $90. I will definitely be checking these out when I have more time! About wow many 'pumps' do you find it takes:
1) From fully deflated to your sweet spot?
2) to adjust slightly from sweet spot just for variation, say on a long drive?
3) is opening valve to deflate slightly a one hand operation, or best done while stopped?
4) how do you have yours installed? Under the OEM seat cover, under an aftermarket cover? other?

I would love to hear if anyone else has experience with these or similar bladder devices. This seem the best and most economical path (over replacing seat). The prices seem very reasonable. I paid $60 for the memory foam lumbar support linked in the earlier post (and returned it).

 

Bucky35,
your link led me to other adjustable lumbar supports on Amazon. Thank You!
$29.99 4 stars 25 reviews


$28.35 5 stars 5 reviews
Amazon.com: Core Products Small Inflatable Lumbar Cushion - Blue: Health & Personal Care

Yours for a bit less $27.96 (no Amazon reviews)

 

Bucky,
Thanks for the responses. Yes, I think I'd like the $90 automatic version. Love gadgets.

 

Our1vue,
Excellent that you have the Rostra. I guess what you describe is what they call a rear mount kit (250-1453). Any details you can give about your upgrade would be VERY much appreciated!
- Did you order the kit or did the shop?
- What did they charge for parts and labor?
- How satisfied are you with the installation and how it feels?
- Any idea how it compares to the factory lumbar support in comfort and use?
- 'Top layer of foam'. any discription you have of the foam layers or other 'under the cover' info, would be great.
Do you know if your bladder had a hard square plastic on it's front? That would have made it the rear mount (to go behind the foam).

Thanks for posting! !