What can be done to make the insight seats more comfortable? Any tips or specific products? I have back issues, so I'd love to get something that would make my car seat more comfy. Also, any advice of sound-proofing? I've heard insights can be a little noisy, and was wondering if there was something that can be done to help out with the road noise factor.
Comfort Questions
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My Insight seat is more comfortable for me than any chair in our home. Here is why: The seat height was a little lower than I wanted so I purchased high tensile strength metric machine screws (bolts with a hexagonal socket built into their head that accepts a six sided Allen wrench type driver). The front are fairly common but the back 2 are fine threaded and less common. I cut some 5/8 inch thick PVC plate into large washers using about a 1 1/4 inch whole saw in a drill press. The PVC is limestone dust impregnated with a softening temperature of around 400 degrees so it makes a strong, waterproof and stable spacer that accepts black paint nicely.
The back of the seat cover unzips. I took some foam rubber sheeting similar to what you would used under a heavy traffic carpet installation and made a lumbar suppot that I slipped between the zig zag spings and the existing foam. This pushed the lower part of the seat back forward and firmed it up. If I remember correctly I used a little PCB board material between the new foam and the springs to give a broader pressure distribution. I adjusted the fit by sitting in the seat between adjustments. If you do this after a days work in the garden you will get the most definative custom fit.
Et Voila! I soon had the most comfortable seat in the house or any non custom car. This mod is completely invisible, but now everyone here will know my little secret. Sigh. Well, how could I not try to help after your kind words about this group.
:idea: One more note, the fabric that covers the seat is an open weave that breathes and gives nicely. It can however be easily damaged by things catching in it. If you are going to wear pants or jackets with studs, zippers, or Velcro fasteners on the back, you might want to get seat covers.
As for sound damping......shaved beaver fur laminated with layers of lead foil is best. OK, so shoot me for trying some Canadian humour! :roll: If beaver pelts, thick cotton terry towels, or Persian carpets are not on the menu, there are commercial products available. If I recall one is called brown bread or something to that effect. Try using the search function as this has been discussed here at some length. I made up some custom shapped sacs from pool lining felt and stuffed them with small scraps of accoustical felt I had left over from speaker designing. I placed these into some open areas under the back coverings with the idea of damping resonances from the rear speakers I installed. Phew, I've got to set up a personal page with photos soon.
Have fun with your new car.
The back of the seat cover unzips. I took some foam rubber sheeting similar to what you would used under a heavy traffic carpet installation and made a lumbar suppot that I slipped between the zig zag spings and the existing foam. This pushed the lower part of the seat back forward and firmed it up. If I remember correctly I used a little PCB board material between the new foam and the springs to give a broader pressure distribution. I adjusted the fit by sitting in the seat between adjustments. If you do this after a days work in the garden you will get the most definative custom fit.
Et Voila! I soon had the most comfortable seat in the house or any non custom car. This mod is completely invisible, but now everyone here will know my little secret. Sigh. Well, how could I not try to help after your kind words about this group.
:idea: One more note, the fabric that covers the seat is an open weave that breathes and gives nicely. It can however be easily damaged by things catching in it. If you are going to wear pants or jackets with studs, zippers, or Velcro fasteners on the back, you might want to get seat covers.
As for sound damping......shaved beaver fur laminated with layers of lead foil is best. OK, so shoot me for trying some Canadian humour! :roll: If beaver pelts, thick cotton terry towels, or Persian carpets are not on the menu, there are commercial products available. If I recall one is called brown bread or something to that effect. Try using the search function as this has been discussed here at some length. I made up some custom shapped sacs from pool lining felt and stuffed them with small scraps of accoustical felt I had left over from speaker designing. I placed these into some open areas under the back coverings with the idea of damping resonances from the rear speakers I installed. Phew, I've got to set up a personal page with photos soon.
Have fun with your new car.
I actually think the Insight seats are the most comfortable car seats I've ever had. I guess they just fit my body well.
Regarding sound proofing, you can have a stereo shop install dynamat in the doors. That helps a little. If you really want to go nuts, you can install it along the floor too. It's kind of expensive though.
James
Regarding sound proofing, you can have a stereo shop install dynamat in the doors. That helps a little. If you really want to go nuts, you can install it along the floor too. It's kind of expensive though.
James
Kip -
Did you by any chance take pics of your seat height mod in progress? I have sciatic pain in my hip, and it may very well cause me to sell the Insight. I routinely drive 300 miles in a day for my job, and it's really starting to hurt. I think if I can get up off the floor a bit, it may help. Thanks - Pat
Did you by any chance take pics of your seat height mod in progress? I have sciatic pain in my hip, and it may very well cause me to sell the Insight. I routinely drive 300 miles in a day for my job, and it's really starting to hurt. I think if I can get up off the floor a bit, it may help. Thanks - Pat
Whoa! 300 miles, thats huge!
I'd be glad to help with some pictures if you PM me. If I can't locate pics, I'll unzip the seat back and snap a couple. I'm hoping to get some pics of mods up on a web page soon but till then I'll need to send them as Email attachments.
Don't sell the Insight. We can work wonders.
I'd be glad to help with some pictures if you PM me. If I can't locate pics, I'll unzip the seat back and snap a couple. I'm hoping to get some pics of mods up on a web page soon but till then I'll need to send them as Email attachments.
Don't sell the Insight. We can work wonders.
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