DIY Bucket Seats!!!

UPDATED!

 

INTRO:

Saw a video a while back of this guy modifying his WRX's seats by stuffing seat cushions to beef up the side bolsters, the goal is to prevent lateral sliding in the seats. I thought I'd give it a shot and OMG it works!!!

 

Tools/Parts Needed:

Philips Screw Driver

Band-Aid (sharp edges in the back of the seats..)

Metal Hanger from dry cleaners

18"x18"x2" High Density Cushion Foam from Walmart

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/th_09413258-71FC-48C2-A45D-0B708C6BF39A_zps6t15foa6.jpg

10" Bungee Cords from Walmart

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/th_5F825BA9-7336-4060-B598-034DEF5AF8BA_zpszg1manre.jpg

 

Instructions:

1) Remove the seat back. Uncover the bottom flap, unscrew the 2 bolts, then pull the seat back down and out.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/50AD6D15-B564-469C-A91D-6E61DA4D323D_zpsemwlzhz0.png

 

2) Remove lumbar support cable.

 

3) Remove the 2 middle section metal clips, and we'll be leaving this permanently unconnected to allow you to sit further back into the seat.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/56B7B7B8-0EA6-4E54-BEFE-9855F7A8D036_zps2cbs2tzq.jpg

 

4) Unhook the top of the wire support and move it out of the way for now.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/E24D03C5-1CEA-4080-B474-6592414D2760_zpspazdulde.jpg

 

5) Place the foam snug against the seat bolster, and outline it with a marker.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/CC3A503B-DB5B-485D-A35E-89F27D5C7661_zpst0js3gol.jpg

 

6) Both sides should be the same, so once you cut the first one out, use that piece of foam to outline the second one and cut it out as well (don't cut on the seat!).

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/F92C1014-76E4-4105-9C29-F341DA54A698_zpsodzwkb6z.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/59D81536-8889-4D87-BCDD-DDAC4CE74517_zps16gkzuse.jpg

 

7) [For those who did the lumbar fix]

I used the metal hanger to hook the link so it would be easier to find it after putting the cushions in.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/AEDBD4C6-89E0-4309-A4F9-0E4A676547E4_zpsspdzzg3i.jpg

 

8) Stuff both sections from the bottom to the top. You want to make sure all of the foam goes way behind the metal lip (seat frame) or there's a chance they could back out. I would stuff the foam, sit in the seat and move around a bit, then check the seat back again to make sure they are secured deep inside the bolsters.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/10E6C657-4FDF-4E78-B93D-56FA089A0314_zpsuwu6kiyt.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/FC158312-E119-44CF-8EEA-5732C8532CB7_zpsxxzxszjc.jpg

 

9) Make some extra foam squares and stuff area where you feel that would need more support. There should be no dead space from the top to bottom. I'd try and make both sides as even as possible. After you have stuffed both sides as much as you can behind the seat frame, cut out a longer piece of cushion and stuff it over the previous cushions to make them more secure.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/E2D79572-C032-408E-A891-B7BDBA549C4F_zpsngs0xkvb.jpg

 

10) Begin reinstall everything, use two 10" bungee cords to hold the wire frame down. (The hook of the bungee cords should face towards the back of the car.)

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/E8664267-80D9-4F91-BBDB-9A8451B331AA_zpshrac2dkz.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/F89F9405-C827-4D9E-A87D-7EAC43408E2E_zpsybzpibv0.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/blklgt05/A8BFBE73-CCBB-4C3A-B715-6BAAD6D1F5A9_zpsrx4smmuq.jpg

 

The whole thing should take roughly 30mins. It was a big difference, the seat is now secure and supportive, yet still comfortable. I ended up not doing the passenger side since I usually take it easy when there's another person in the car, but there were enough cushions left to do it as well. Have fun!

Edited December 23, 2016 by blklgt05

Nice. That's definitely something I miss from my GenCoupe. Might have to give this a go.

You didn't do the seat bottom?

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

You didn't do the seat bottom?

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

Nope, but shouldn't be too hard to figure that out. I'll tackle that next week!

Dude this is awesome! Was wondering what DIY you hinted to in the FB group. Thanks for the write up, definitely keep up updated with the bottom as well!

Thanks for sharing and posting this step by step. I like my leather Legacy seats but don't LOVE them. I'm a smaller frame guy and I do find the driver's seat comfortable for long trips actually, but I miss the lateral support. My brother's wife has a 2009 Outback Limited and the seats are like a sports car, with great side bolsters.

My 1991 Honda Prelude had some of the best seats I've ever been in. In addition to lumbar support that was awesome, there was a round dial on the side of the seat, that actually let you dial-in/adjust the side bolsters, and you could dial it in A LOT. Like open all the way out, sit in the seat, and while sitting in the seat, dial it all the way in, and it felt like you were locked in place on the sides, but still super comfortable. Best seats ever.

Anyway, thanks for posting!!

Quick note, you should link this thread in the Interior Mods sticky if you haven't already. I think this definitely qualifies as an interior mod haha.

For the seat bottom, brandon.mol did some work there already using a couple pieces of pipe insulation (the stuff that looks like a pool noodle), IIRC. Couldn't tell you where he posted it, but that could be a good starting point.

For the seat bottom, brandon.mol did some work there already using a couple pieces of pipe insulation (the stuff that looks like a pool noodle), IIRC. Couldn't tell you where he posted it, but that could be a good starting point.

 

Yeah he made a thread about it back then, I think he used a PVC hose or something, not too sure. Maybe he'll see this thread and drop a link. I looked at the bottom seat just now and looks like you can put cushion in from underneath, just need to remove the plastic cover. Not too sure on how to reach the other side though.

Would this affect the airbags at all in the seats or no worries? Edited December 16, 2016 by Timothy.B

Nice, may have to give this a go!

Would the affect the airbags at all in the seats or no worries?

 

The side airbag is located behind the metal frame of the side bolster, and he added the foam forward of the frame. Therefore I don't imagine it would interfere with deployment.

What's with the section of shag carpet that you have in your seat??

 

Thanks for doing this, btw! Too bad it's freakin 4 degrees out right now. Might have to attempt this when we have a heat wave of 30 next week.

Would the affect the airbags at all in the seats or no worries?

 

It's outside of the metal frame, I think once you open up the back it'll make more sense. This is an easy mod to do, it's cheap, and I wish I did this on day one. No more sliding around. Btw, I had lumbar support all the way down to sit deeper into the seat. Normally I have to have lumbar support when driving due to lower back strain, but not anymore.

What's with the section of shag carpet that you have in your seat??

 

Thanks for doing this, btw! Too bad it's freakin 4 degrees out right now. Might have to attempt this when we have a heat wave of 30 next week.

 

Not quite understanding the object you are describing, are you talking about the leather seat gap filler that's between the seat and center console section?

Not quite understanding the object you are describing, are you talking about the leather seat gap filler that's between the seat and center console section?

 

This thing

This thing

 

Oh I see, that's just part of the original cushion/support I believe.

Oh I see, that's just part of the original cushion/support I believe.

 

That's a section of carpet. someone else must have been poking around in there before you

 

This is what it normally looks like.

That's a section of carpet. someone else must have been poking around in there before you

 

This is what it normally looks like.

 

I got the car new, I think it might be one of the first two dealership lumbar support repair. Looks like they removed that white protective cover. After that hook broke for the 3rd time I repaired it myself lol.

Edited December 18, 2016 by blklgt05

I got the car new, I think it might have been a night of drinking and attempted a lumbar support repair.

 

Ftfy

I got the car new, I think it might be one of the first two dealership lumbar support repair. Looks like they removed that white protective cover. After that hook broker for the 3rd time I repaired it myself lol.

Lol that's fantastic. "how are we gonna fix this?? Uhhhhh, go grab that door mat.”

Edited December 18, 2016 by Bootyologist

Lol that's fantastic. "how are we gonna fix this?? Uhhhhh, go grab that door mat.”

 

Lol, I think that doormat thing is OEM, maybe the outside protective cover is gone. The thing that the dealer originally replaced was supposed to be the cable hook. I'm gonna take apart the passenger side and see what it looks like, that seat back has never been touched.

I'm gonna take apart the passenger side and see what it looks like, that seat back has never been touched.

...by anyone but FJuan.

 

Great writeup Blk.

 

With disconnecting the top/side hooks, the support can slide up and come loose. You should secure it down somehow. I used two rubber bungee cords, LOL.

 

I'm totally doing this. My right side bolster pad is worn right out.

 

Regarding the bottom, forget that shit I did with pipe. I did end up using a polyurethane foam mat material that is the same as a yoga mat but a half inch thick. Anyway, same concept as this - you are stuffing between the frame and the bottom of the cushion.

 

The bottom is easy. The side plastic cover comes off, then you unhook the two clips on each side and the whole front clip and the cushion lifts up. The seat belt bolt prevents you from removing it entirely, but that's OK.

 

I had it completely apart once, frame out and all but that's not necessary here.

Edited December 19, 2016 by brandon.mol

Just ordered a memory foam mattress topper to use instead. Ohhhh yeah this is gunna be great.

 

Carpenter Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Extra-Long https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003LVY4H0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3lbwyb23773TY

That's a section of carpet. someone else must have been poking around in there before you

 

This is what it normally looks like.

 

Upon further investigation, it was carpet... my apologies for doubting you

 

On the other hand, why did the dealers use a carpet? Don't understand the purpose or what it has to do with the lumbar support hook that kept breaking.