Your ideas for making driver"s seat more comfortable?

My 2cents worth here. I'm having problems finding a vehicle with a comfortable passenger seat. DH & I are looking to buy a new/gently used SUV and are finding that the manufacturers are putting most of the comfort into the driver's side and don't care if the passenger is comfy.

I have asked the dealerships if it was possible to switch out a seat or to have one custom made. I've even asked an independent custom auto shop if they would do a redesign. What I've been told is that due to the sensors in seats they cannot alter the seats because it would affect how the airbags function.

The custom auto shop told me that they could add some foam... even add lumbar support in some cases. But due to liability they could/would not do much beyond that. Sensors and airbags dictate what they can and cannot do.

Gordon... I agree with the "cheapest foam" they could buy. But it's not limited to Fiat... I've checked out nearly all of the auto makers including asian. The seats are just not as comfortable as they used to be. One sales person said that the firmer seats (read hard as a rock) were better for travelling! He was much younger than I and clueless to how older bones and muscles felt.

I have a 2004 Silverado LT3 (LTZ) and it's seats are comparable to what Caddy USED to be! If you do find an acceptable solution please let us know!!

cts

Auto wrecker would have tons of seats to test. I don't see what seat you have now. Many vehicles came with different seats from the factory. This would make it a perfect bolt in. Some offroad shops have new examples on the show room. I think some late 90's Ford Explorers came with a small air pump to bolster back and side support. May have to redrill the seat frame.

try an auto wrecker for a top of the line model seat.

I have looked at aftermarket seats. The thing about them, and about getting an upholstery shop to do custom, is that I would not be able try before I buy. I could see finding some external pads that work and the having a shop mimic them, under the upholstery... but what would be the point, if I already had the pads? Long as they were not ugly :).

@GordonThree, I am so sorry that is happening to you! No, at 100k miles, my seat is not breaking down. I just don't find the designed shape comfortable.

PRodacy wrote:
Have you considered an aftermarket seat? Mastercraft and Corbleu (not sure that's spelled right) make really nice ones.

Corbeau.

Good stuff.
Recaro - more good stuff.

But pricey

Have you considered an aftermarket seat? Mastercraft and Corbleu (not sure that's spelled right) make really nice ones.

Is this a newer or older vehicle? I'm just wondering because the seat in my 2013 Ram seems to be made from the cheapest foam Fiat could get a hold of. Only 20k miles on it and the driver's side seat foam is already breaking down.

Have you considered taking it to an upholstery shop and have a thin layer of foam added to the seat back? This might make it just right for the slightly reclined position.