I added a new handle to the '08

It works well.

 

It make the drivers seat go up and down.

 

1 part Corolla seat, 1 part Prius seat, and 1 part weekend. I have several pics of the install that I'll upload soon.

 

At least 2 inches, maybe 3. It's does not just go straight up and down; when you lower it, the back goes down more than the front. I'm 6' 3" and it does wonders for me.

 

Here we go. To start off this modification in not easy. I started out using the directions that have been posted here before. I acquired a used Corolla seat from a local junk yard for $50. Any corolla seat from 03-08 will work.



I removed the trim and handles from the Corolla seat.



I then removed the lower fabric and foam.

 

Here are some important parts to keep:



Here is Corolla frame stripped down:



The other person that did this install used the Corolla frame with the Prius rail feet and the top section of the Prius seat frame. My Corolla frame was a rusty POS so I decided to go a different route.

 

Here is the vertical lift mechanism on the Corolla.



Here is the Prius seat frame. All the holes form the vertical lift mechanism are there.



I then started removing the lift parts. Everything was riveted together. I first drilled a small hole through each rivet and then removed the outer head. I then can drill and tap the small hole for a bolt and washer later.

 

Here is the Prius frame with the lift mechanism.



Here is the Prius frame with the entire lift mechanism. I used high grade bolts to bolt all the previously riveted parts back in. I had to used countersunk screws for the ratchet mechanism for clearance.



Here is a shot from underneath.

 

Here is the reassembled seat without the rack.



Now for the seat racks. The one on the left is the Prius seat frame, on the right is the Corolla seat frame. The basic shape and mechanism is the same but the mounting points for the seat frame and for the floor pan are totally different.



I removed the feet from the Prius rack (they are riveted and spot welded on) and mounted them with grade 8 bolts and welded them in place.



I also sandblasted the rusty parts and painted the rack.



Now with the reconfigured rack mouted to the rebuilt seat is a drop in seat.

 

The seat bottom was very easy; just remove the plastic trim off the sides and the fabric just just clipped on with "J" channels all around the edges. The fabric and the foam comes off in one piece. The rear was a bit more complex. You have to remove 3 hog rings from the bottom edge and then peel the fabric up the seat removing a few more hog rings along the way. Also, at the airbag there is a sewn in strap that has to be unbolted. Once the fabric is off the foam just slides off and then you can unbolt the airbag. I had no problem with the airbag; it won't go off unless you apply power and it has a special connector that covers the pins when the mating connector is unhooked for safety.