This is a simple modification that will increase the lateral support in the stock seat backs. Also, it's completely reversible. Thanks to meldog21 for telling me about this mod. :thumb:
By the way, I'm 6' - 180 lbs. If you are a heavy guy, you probably won't want to do this mod.
Step 1: Move the seat forward and unzip the back. Use a pair of pliers to guide the slider, as the zipper does not have a pull tab. Separate the plastic rails at the bottom. Once that is complete, unfold the seat cover side, exposing the support foam. Edit: Pay close attention to how the plastic rails on either side of the zipper (at the bottom) are assembled. You will need to re-assemble these later.
Step 2: Tuck the outside flap inside the structural support.
Step 3: Fold the cover back over the lateral support and repeat for the other side. Before you zip up the seat, you'll need to re-assemble the two "rails" that fasten the lower edges of the seat cover together. This is a pain, but it just takes a little patience and some muscle (see posts 16 & 18).
Use a pair of pliers to guide the slider, as the zipper does not have a pull tab.
Vant, good job with the pictures. I was too lazy to do the instructions with pictures. Hopefully lots of people will look at your photos/instructions and see how easy it is to do a great mod that costs zero dollars.
Man it can't be that easy???? How will this affect the leather and seat long term? I hate the stock seats and it looks like this just might be the fix I need.
i did this mod and fell in love with my stock seats again. my biggest complaint with the z was the side bolsters were pathetic for a car capable of 1g. now i am so very happy. thanks for posting this :drunken:
Wow, that is the most amazing free mod I've seen since the ziptie. I have to try that when I get home!!!
Edit: When you say muscle is required - how hard is it to pull back together? I'm afraid I'll get it open and not be able to zip it back. (or maybe just paranoid about damaging the leather)
The bottom of the seat cover has plastic rails, two on either side of the zipper, that slide together. You'll notice this once you unzip the back and realize there's still something holding it down.
It took me about 5 minutes to wrestle the plastic rails back together. Keep in mind, I did this with the seat in place so it was awkward getting my arms back there. If you remove the seat from the car, it should be an easier task. (Well, except for the whole removing the seat part. :lol
I wish I could give you more info than that. If you get stuck, let me know.
No, I don't think you're missing out. The function of the rails is to hold the seat cover down, but it's still held pretty tight when zipped only. However, if you ever notice the leather cover cinching upward, you know what you have to do to fix it obviously.
For anyone who's wondering, the seats can be zipped up (or down, to be precise) without the rails being put back together. But if you're like me, it'll bug the hell out of you knowing it wasn't put back together the "right" way.
I'll let you guys know what I bump into since apparently I can screw up easy jobs. Thanks again for the replies!
Sigh. I have already hit a stumbling block on the first step. How do you get access to the zipper? I pulled the sit forward, leaned it all the way and it looks like the leather folds under the seat. Can I just pull it out to find the zipper?
Yea I pressed it forward but since I had the seat moved up it was against the steering wheel. I'll go back and push the set back, and try that level again.
Ok, I just finished the mod - absolutely amazing with one drawback - as you said, no one over 200 lbs will like this mod. I'm 5'10" 150 and its a little close but in a good way. This mod definitely reminds me of my S2000 seats for a total cost of ZERO!
Also, I didn't bother getting the rails back in. It was pain trying to get it back in one piece and I'll keep an eye on it in the meanwhile. The rail is pulled all the way back and as I sit it gets pushed in, not pulled out.
I did the mod, and to be honest, it is tight in there now! It actually is a bit uncomfortable for DD. For track days, I think it would be a godsend. Street driving though it is just a bit tight. PS, the rails are EAY to reassemble, the attatch to the rail at the base of the seat back. Pull it throught the bottom of the seat, and you will easily be able to slide the rails back in.
Both sides of the seat. Also, I would advise you to sit in the seat after step #2. That way you can decide if you like the increased bolstering (or not) before zipping it up.
I did this mod last night and it really is awesome. I must imply, as others have done, that if your much bigger than 200lbs its not gonna be very comfortable. Also, the plastic rails on the bottom of the seat are a bi%ch to put back together....
I recomment having the seat in the mid position (not all the way forward to the dash or all the way back) to have the best luck getting the plastic rails back together....
Thanks for another awesome tip guys....
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