Increase driver's seat height

[TheBobOfBobs]

Is this generation of the Corolla seat attached in a simple way (like four bolts straight down through the rails) that you could bolt some 1/2" or 1" spacers under the rails and raise the height?

I'm trying to buy one for a short person... the pump doesn't give quite enough height. If we could raise it a little more, it would be a good choice.

 

[taco'rolla]

I don't know squat about the '09 'rolla seat's pedestal positioning...
But I might be concerned about the increased leverage in doing it that way.
As well the occupants seat positioning to the air bags, if the seats were altered.

Air bags deployed incorrectly towards the occupants
can cause more harm then do good.

maybe just try a seat pillow - cushion ?

ummm... how short are we talkin' here ?

 

[TheBobOfBobs]

Not that short, but another 1/2" or inch would be a boost (no pun). I hadn't thought of the airbag issue... but a cushion would have the same effect, and I have to figure that a tall person is way higher than my short friend.

 

[taco'rolla]

purdy sure the air bag deployment is engineered to work
for various occupant seating heights ranging maybe 4' - 6' --"
So I don't think the occupants seating height is too critical.

I think using.a 1/2" pillow or cushion would be the easiest and least costly investment.
But by raising the seat's actual height, may increase the leverage of that during a highspeed collision
and could see the seat's feet pedestals snap or break and that would be bad for the driver.

Not saying it can't be done safely if one has an understanding of force/leverage
and what would be necessary to safely spread that leverage load during forced stops
plus having an engineering background - understanding definately couldn't hurt.

Bottom line... ya gotta do a safe altercation when messing around with the seats.
If ya screw that up... could be putting someones life at risk.

I altered some Scion XB seats and installed them into my '00 Tacoma
But I didn't raise or lower the seat's pedestal heights.
The XB's lower seat cushion just sits up higher due to its constuction design.
I attached the upper Scion seat rails to the Tacoma's original lower rails.
Luck in my method, was that the slide rails were a near match (both Toyota incognito)
and so they could be joined and fit decently as well slide as they did originally.

This still required some use of a cut off wheel and some welding.

I'll suppose you could figure out a way to raise the seat slightly...
but I wouldn't... nor accept any of the liability of telling you how.

If yer gonna make attempt... do so at your own risk.

btw... you won't be held liable if you recommend using a seat pillow or cushion !? Lol

or maybe tell them to move the seat back forward (more upright)
there by offering the driver a taller view point ?

 

[TheBobOfBobs]

Yeah... I hear you. We're trying to avoid having to use a cushion full time, which has been the past habit. That elevates you, but also takes you out of the seat's notch, making it less comfortable.

Your suggestions are the reason for my question... if the rails sit on four pads of reasonable size and you just make the pads thicker, you don't change much of the equation. The tall/larger person in the seat puts more strain on it, for sure. But if the rails bolt across and down a pad then it is difficult to bolt to the same locations without welding new pads,etc and that's beyond what I'd want to do.

 

[fishycomics]

Put a cushion, get one that Ike sells for a wooden chair that will give that extra height.