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It's a sad day that I'm writing this, but the factory front seat is literally killing me. I cannot find a position or adjustment that will let me sit for more than an hour without intense spinal issues. Certainly the back problems are mine alone, but I can tolerate most of a day in any of my "full sized vehicles". Once I get into the Jag seat, I feel pretty comfortable, but the seating position seems to be what gets to me after awhile. I liken it to sitting on a '70's bean-bag chair vs a dinner table chair. Ones butt is only about 6" above the level of ones feet.
There may not be a cure, the designers wanted the car to look beautiful and if some people could sit in the seat comfortably, great. The huddled masses be damned. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had a positive outcome by changing front seats and what they found that worked.
Series 3 XJ seats are generally not good and the vdp/Daimler seats are the worst. XJ40 and X300 are much better. I'd suggest searching for front seats from one of those later cars, preferably with a similar pattern too your back seats, and have them coloured to match. Fitting to the car may need a bit of improvisation, but should be possible.
Thanks Peter, unfortunately there are no salvage yards of other sources of Jaguar parts up here. They are going on the list of possibles and I will keep an eye on Craig's List, et all.
Another possibility is to take the seat apart and modify the padding. It's not too difficult with the seat cushion. I actually took it apart to repair a split, but adjusted the padding a bit at the same time (Google petersjaguarpages repairing a rip). It made things a lot better for my thighs and, surprisingly, lower back. I've not tried the back rest. To be fair, I don't use the Daimler for very long journeys anymore, so it's not so urgent.
Another possibility is to take the seat apart and modify the padding. It's not too difficult with the seat cushion. I actually took it apart to repair a split, but adjusted the padding a bit at the same time (Google petersjaguarpages repairing a rip). It made things a lot better for my thighs and, surprisingly, lower back. I've not tried the back rest. To be fair, I don't use the Daimler for very long journeys anymore, so it's not so urgent.
Dave,
pair of corduroy fabric seats being sold in Titusville Florida for $150.00
Description says Condition good with available electricals on Driver's seat.
Ad does not show Driver's seat, only Passenger's.
I can ask seller for more pictures and if he will ship. Does not say from what vehicle they came from.
I'm surprised by the assessment of XJ6 seats as being poor. I may not have enjoyed the full old seat ambiance as we had ours redone not long after purchase, I think freshness and modern materials must help as they seem quite comfortable. I get Daves issue as it can be very specific to individuals. I had a rental car once and I have no clue what the issue was, but I could not drive it for more than an hour or so with getting bad lower back pain. Hope you can work out a solution.
I too feel the seats are pretty comfortable, but they are pretty narrow. My better half says she likes how the seats hold her in / hug her, but she is on the slimmer side.
Last edited by MSGGrunt; Oct 10, 2022 at 08:10 PM.
I'm surprised by the assessment of XJ6 seats as being poor. I think freshness and modern materials must help as they seem quite comfortable. I had a rental car once and I have no clue what the issue was, but I could not drive it for more than an hour or so with getting bad lower back pain. Hope you can work out a solution.
As you say, Steve. I've lengthened the slide rails to allow more travel to the rear and now I actually have plenty of leg room. I think the biggest problem may be that I didn't replace the seat cushion foam when I reupholstered them. I'm adding that to my list of things to get done this winter. By the way, I just learned from a well known upholstery provider that the one set of factory seat pads they have left is $840, two years ago the price was $480! I will have to find my own foam, it seems.
I too feel the seats are pretty comfortable, but they are pretty narrow. My better half says she likes how the seats hold her in / hug her, but she is on the slimmer side.
Once I maneuver into the seat, it does feel OK-comfortable, but not very plush or soft. I think replacing the seat pad will go a long way in the right direction.
When I repaired my seat cushion, I didn't replace the foam. I added furniture foam and wadding where the existing material was out of shape, aiming to make it symmetric. The original work looked as if it was done in a great hurry.
For me, the worst models for comfort are the more deluxe versions, vanden Plas and Daimler.
Might just be in my head, but when I got rid of the leather seats and install the velour ones, they seemed infinitely more comfortable! Could of course have been to do with previous owner of velour seats, hardly drove the car, it was rotting away, had a non running lump, and was being parted out ( that’s how I got them)
Might just be in my head, but when I got rid of the leather seats and install the velour ones, they seemed infinitely more comfortable! Could of course have been to do with previous owner of velour seats, hardly drove the car, it was rotting away, had a non running lump, and was being parted out ( that’s how I got them)
same with vinyl Darren. I found a full set of XJ6 seats done in vinyl, with new foams and the workmanship is fabulous, and a lot more comfortable than the leather seats which were dry and falling apart.
Well, the seats in my XJ are worn. Not so much in appearance, but the padding in te driver seat. kinda like sittig on the toilet bowl. Actually, not bad. surely not enough to seek a fix or anew seat.
Our past lister described the use of seats from a Chrysler Pt cruisewr. roger Mbry, RIP. e iked them over the originals.
Way back when, my n79 IHc Scout II had the lousiest front bench i ever sat in. cheapo viny as well. i swapped in a pair of chrysler cordoba seats in corintian !!! I added a bit of rearward tit. Very comfoprtable.
even further back in germany, a fellow fficer improved the seat in his car. buckets. specie forgotten. Drilled more holes in the ply wood base. Added foam padding. The squab was thicker and softer. Also alloed the butt to ride a tad higher. Mre chair like.
Way back, mY T ford had the springs only. I added a blanket. Mom sewed up ma covr. My teen butt was pleased.
Tilt means a lot. My jeep has a lot of seat varationss as to position. I prefer the arms out position.
Seat replacement for S3
