Seat height
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown Indiana
Seat height
I've got a 2001 convertible and recently replaced seats. That is, I put on new seat foam, seat covers, and bought the seat bottom cushion upgrade/repair from Top Flight Automotive part number 205538. Before I redid the seats, I thought they sat too high. In other words, my head was maybe 2-3 inches from the top and I'm only 5'8". After the replacement, it's worse. Yes, in hindsight probably should not have installed the Top Flight upgrade/repair stuff. The replacement foam came from them as well. I've got the seat adjusted all the way down too. The old seat foam was starting to sink into the piano wires on the seat frame, but not too horribly bad. Other than removing the Top Flight upgrade/repair stuff, is there anything else I can do? I just can't believe that I'm having this issue with my shorter than average height. I did a search and it seems others have the opposite problem. Yes my torso is a little longer than average but not that much! I've taken the car on 3 drives thinking the foam would settle in but it's too stinking high! I'm tired of looking more at the sun visors than through the windshield. Anyone else had this problem and what did you do to fix? Any other advice?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,934
Likes: 1,690
From: North Coast
I've got a 2001 convertible and recently replaced seats. That is, I put on new seat foam, seat covers, and bought the seat bottom cushion upgrade/repair from Top Flight Automotive part number 205538. Before I redid the seats, I thought they sat too high. In other words, my head was maybe 2-3 inches from the top and I'm only 5'8". After the replacement, it's worse. Yes, in hindsight probably should not have installed the Top Flight upgrade/repair stuff. The replacement foam came from them as well. I've got the seat adjusted all the way down too. The old seat foam was starting to sink into the piano wires on the seat frame, but not too horribly bad. Other than removing the Top Flight upgrade/repair stuff, is there anything else I can do? I just can't believe that I'm having this issue with my shorter than average height. I did a search and it seems others have the opposite problem. Yes my torso is a little longer than average but not that much! I've taken the car on 3 drives thinking the foam would settle in but it's too stinking high! I'm tired of looking more at the sun visors than through the windshield. Anyone else had this problem and what did you do to fix? Any other advice?
I’m 5/11 and have no issues with new foam.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I'm several inches taller than you and have absolutely no issues. Instead of just having the seat all the way down, maybe try having it tilted. This will likely be more comfortable and will angle your head back. If that absolutely won't work, you could always trim the new foam. Although that sort of defeats the point of replacing it in the first place. This does seem like an odd issue though. I've had passengers who were well over 6' tall in my car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown Indiana
Yes I love Lyle at C&S and found one video that might help others who are truly tall. I'm going to mess with the adjustments some more and see what I can do. I'm also thinking I need to confirm that my seats are mechanically moving as far as they're supposed to. The jute pad part of the seat bottom repair is definitely on the list for removal to get the bottom down further.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 1,386
From: Orange County, CA
Years ago I also added new foam and jute pad to my '01 Z06 driver's seat. Wow did I sit higher! Was quite the issue with me @ 6' 3" and I immediately ripped out the jute pad, but think I left the thin nylon sheet to help with wires cutting into the foam. Still sat uncomfortably high and I ended up going to an aftermarket seat that dropped me lower. Currently have a C7 driver's seat (but no real seat time in it yet) and it raised me up a bit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,934
Likes: 1,690
From: North Coast
THe foam is bad in so many seat bottoms that many have no idea how the seat really should be. Why they left out the burlap over the springs is beyond me.
I can look at a seat and tell it is in need of foam.
I can look at a seat and tell it is in need of foam.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown Indiana
Last night, I removed 1 pair of hog rings from the jute pad at the rear. I had originally attached the pad to the front and rear of the seat frame. It helped some, moved me down maybe 1". I drove it to work today and still not super happy with it. I may end up removing it altogether or try to detach the vinyl material from the jute and just run that. I used spray adhesive to put them together, per the instructions from Top Flight. I hate the idea of the wires cutting into the foam but that would certainly get the seat height lower.
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