Swapped Vader seats

[L84THSKY]

My driver's side seat was getting pretty worn, so I swapped the seats. You only have to swap the foam and the leather, not the entire seat. In the process, I installed the lumbar in the passenger seat, and the wiring for it.

I'll post pics of the inside of the seat, so you can see the lumbar system.

[larryn]

Swapped passenger to driver's side? What did you do about the openings in the leather for the rear-seat access handles?

That's pretty cool about the lumbar support though! Mine are manually adjustable/heated vaders. No lumbar.

My black vaders are pretty good, but I was thinking of spraying them with the leather spray to get rid of the lighter color coming through slightly on the bolsters.

[bjt42]

I didn't realise you could swap just the foam and leather. That gets around the problem of the driver's seat only having the folding handle on one side. Could you post any tips you have on getting the leather to detach and reattach? Thanks

[L84THSKY]

It's very simple. Remove the seats, then pry the lip of the leather off the back shell. The bottom is connected by two screws and two plastic pins. If you don't have heated seats, it's a breeze. Yeah, by leaving the shell/base of the seat the same, no problems with back seat handles or seat adjustments.

Originally Posted by bjt42

I didn't realise you could swap just the foam and leather. That gets around the problem of the driver's seat only having the folding handle on one side. Could you post any tips you have on getting the leather to detach and reattach? Thanks

[L84THSKY]

I have heated Vaders. Not hard to add lumbar support, if you want it.

Originally Posted by larryn

Swapped passenger to driver's side? What did you do about the openings in the leather for the rear-seat access handles?

That's pretty cool about the lumbar support though! Mine are manually adjustable/heated vaders. No lumbar.

My black vaders are pretty good, but I was thinking of spraying them with the leather spray to get rid of the lighter color coming through slightly on the bolsters.

[L84THSKY]

The lumbar bag just straps in with two tie wraps, and the motor sits below it.

You can see the switch mounted just behind the hand controls of the seat.





This is my driver's side seat, with my passengers side leather swapped in it.

[ATF]

I want vaders... i want heated seats... i want lumbar support... So jealous, nice job though

[Will'sBimmer]

I have black vaders but no heat or lumbar. How much did the lumbar system cost you?? and where did you get it from?

[L84THSKY]

It was over $500.00, got it from the dealer.

Originally Posted by Will'sBeamer

I have black vaders but no heat or lumbar. How much did the lumbar system cost you?? and where did you get it from?

[StealthBimmer]

Hey Eric, why are the Vaders not swapped into my ti yet? I am still waiting...j/k Good job on taking the seats apart and pics for us to check out.

[bjt42]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

It's very simple. Remove the seats, then pry the lip of the leather off the back shell. The bottom is connected by two screws and two plastic pins. If you don't have heated seats, it's a breeze. Yeah, by leaving the shell/base of the seat the same, no problems with back seat handles or seat adjustments.

Were you able to remove the plastic pins without breaking them, or did you have to replace them? I took a look at this today and the pins were brittle, they didn't really bend at all. I had some problems removing the seat back from the shell as well, I didn't want to force it too much. Maybe the sports seats are different internally from the vaders.

[L84THSKY]

If I recall, I broke the pins off way back when I first bought the seats. Just break them off and buy new ones before swapping. They cost nothing, and are easy to replace.

Originally Posted by bjt42

Were you able to remove the plastic pins without breaking them, or did you have to replace them? I took a look at this today and the pins were brittle, they didn't really bend at all. I had some problems removing the seat back from the shell as well, I didn't want to force it too much. Maybe the sports seats are different internally from the vaders.