Hey guys - I am about to pull the trigger on an '97 80 series and the one thing holding be back is the seats. I am coming for a Land Rover 110, so I'm not looking for super duper creature comforts here. But in the 80 I looked at I could literally feel the seat frame. which definitely aggravated my sciatica Now I'm not a small person, so I was more wondering if maybe the seat foam is just given out or if perhaps the seat design with bolstered sides just doesnt work for me.
Seat comfort ?
- Thread starter burlsube
- Start date
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I'm 6'1 and 210# and don't come anywhere near hitting the frame thru the cushion.
Sounds like worn out cushion.
Simple fix.
Go ahead. Pull the trigger.
Sounds like worn out cushion.
Simple fix.
Go ahead. Pull the trigger.
Enter Scheel-Mann...
forum.ih8mud.com
Scheel-Mann Seat Install
I've been looking to either replace my seats or get new cushions and then recover. Not because my seats are that bad, but my back and hip physically just don't do well with long journeys anymore. Some people know that I've even contemplated selling the 80 and moving to a 200 series. I'm not a...
forum.ih8mud.com
I replaced the foam on the lower seat cushion of my driver's seat. Much more comfortable, well worth the money to upgrade. Much cheaper than replacement aftermarket seats, as well.
Seats can be rebuilt with new foam and leathers. Or a wide variety of seats from other vehicles can be swapped in. VW, BMW, LR, Subaru, Audi, afternarket. There is a thread on what seats people have swapped in if you search.
I'm a quite large guy and found seats in my 80s inadequate.
I modified my first 80's seats. My current 80, I opted to fit late model Audi seats. They are not quite wide enough in the seat for my ass, but otherwise are great.
Having multiple adjustments in the base, lumbar etc makes so much difference
I modified my first 80's seats. My current 80, I opted to fit late model Audi seats. They are not quite wide enough in the seat for my ass, but otherwise are great.
Having multiple adjustments in the base, lumbar etc makes so much difference
Man one day.Enter Scheel-Mann...
Scheel-Mann Seat Install
I've been looking to either replace my seats or get new cushions and then recover. Not because my seats are that bad, but my back and hip physically just don't do well with long journeys anymore. Some people know that I've even contemplated selling the 80 and moving to a 200 series. I'm not a...
To be honest, short trips around town you're kinda like "I mean, yeah, they're nice seats."
But when you need to take a trip that's hour+, these things shine. My back is more sore getting out of the 200 (stock everything) on a 3 hour trip than an 8 hour trip in a built up (read not a comfortable ride) 80 with Scheel-Manns. It's nuts how supportive and comfortable they are.
I'm a bit particular, though. I've got plates and screws in my spine. The Princess and the Pea over here...
COMPILED - 80 Series Seat Swap Thread
A few threads have been very useful to me over years, many of which are threads like the recent suspension coil and shock thread that @GWNugget started with a list of many of the available suspension options available and all the specs etc. I wanted to add a similar one for a topic that...
forum.ih8mud.com
I have Audi A4 seats in mine. Way more comfortable than stock, particularly as a tall person. The ability to raise the front edge of the seat bottom means you can spread your weight onto your thighs instead of two pressure points on your butt. I think a lot of people try to accomplish the same result by moving their seat further and further back.
Does it have cloth or leather ??
- Thread starter
- #12
it has leather. is there a different in seat structure etc. in leather versus cloth?
COMPILED - 80 Series Seat Swap Thread
A few threads have been very useful to me over years, many of which are threads like the recent suspension coil and shock thread that @GWNugget started with a list of many of the available suspension options available and all the specs etc. I wanted to add a similar one for a topic that...
I have Audi A4 seats in mine. Way more comfortable than stock, particularly as a tall person. The ability to raise the front edge of the seat bottom means you can spread your weight onto your thighs instead of two pressure points on your butt. I think a lot of people try to accomplish the same result by moving their seat further and further back.
Agreed. That's what mine are, but Audi A4 S-Line.
I think S-Line seats are more heavily bolstered / shaped.
Mine have an extendable base cushion that helps even more for a tall person
Yes. The leather power seats are hard, sit higher, and are much less comfortable than the cloth.
The cloth seats are manual, wear very well, and sit slightly lower, but are MUCH more comfortable.
They are not "the same seat wrapped in different materials".
Everyone wants the factory cloth seats.
- Thread starter
- #16
it was the bolstering on the left side. it seemed absurdly hard, almost like i was sitting on the frame.
Probably was the frame from people dragging their butt across it for 200K miles, in and out.
New cushions and leather will help that.
Looking about $1500 to get the front seat replacement leather and new cushions. For both front seats only
Gawd, really?
Both mine have had manual cloth seats.
Both were horrendously lacking in lumbar support, or bolstering. And lacking in support in the base.
Seat back was way to short, as was the seat base.
They have a complete lack of adjustment beyond forward/ back, or lean forward/ back
I mean, I like the factory cloth, but I've never sat in an Audi A4 so maybe I just don't know what I'm missing? 
Yeah, you should sit in the power leather ones in my truck.
Hard as a brick, sit about 2" too high, and don't go back far enough.
The ONLY seat in this truck that is remotely comfortable is the driver's seat and that's because I added 2" of wheelchair seat foam (egg crate stuff) to soften it a bit. The passenger seat sits about 2" closer to the dash than the driver's seat. My son can barely get in there because his legs are long enough he's against the dash. So, no one ever wants to ride with me.......