Vanagon Seat Blues

sflily · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 6:06 am Post subject: Vanagon Seat Blues

Hello Samba people,

Thanks for being here. I never quite feel like I've mastered the use of this site, but I read incessantly : ).

Proud owner of a 1990 Vanagon camper, made possible by Samba:).

Now find that long trips are hard to recover from as I'm no spring chicken. So, I think changing the the seats (at least drivers) has moved to the top priority.... having already rebuilt the transmission, fixed the air conditioner, replaced the tires..lol.

Any recommendations or thoughts on new seats?

Lily

djkeev · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 6:54 am Post subject:

Many and varied thoughts on seats.....

FAQ's are your friend!

Go here, scroll down to SEATS get a cup of coffee and start reading.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6236057#6236057

Dave
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MarkWard · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 7:13 am Post subject:

We sat in a set of the Recaros GoWesty sells after driving 5 solid days from Florida to California. We have an 82 which had even more basic seats. They felt so comfortable compared to what we had been sitting in. I would have pulled the trigger there on the spot, but the driver's side install requires removing the seat swivel base. Plus I did not want to leave behind my old seats or carry them with us. They were also a bit on the expensive side.

I came across seats from an 87 with arm rests and with sheepskin covers are much more comfortable than the early ones. Do you have a working cruise control? I engage it as soon as I get to speed. This way I am not so locked into one sitting position.
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'88MoneyPit · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 7:14 am Post subject:

Go see Peter at Van Cafe and get a set of recaro's. Your driving experience will change forever! I am in Hayward so if you want to see them we could always meet up

Stephen

campism · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 8:08 am Post subject:

Recaros may be crazy comfy but they can also be crazy costly. You might first want to investigate using non-Westy front seats or Eurovan seats. The EV seats require mods to the seat rails before they will slide in but the later Vanagon non-Westy seats (if you can find some to test) will slide right in to your van's tracks.

I installed '93 EV seats in my van for what I calculated was 1/37th the price of Recaros.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Crazy Comfort = Crazy Money.

How comfortable do you want to be is the question.

Recaros are the way to ride--and the biggest bang for the buck spent.
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danfromsyr · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 8:57 am Post subject:

I found that GL seats were an improvement over westy seats.
the GLs have a longer butt to knee dimension

also found that Cruise control made it easier to keep in a less prone position.

Eurovan seats are purported to be nicer than GL seats for long mile comfort.
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tarandusVDub · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:05 am Post subject:

I don't see it in their 3rd Edition catalog, but in the 2010 edition Sewfine offers replacement seats on page 38. It's spendy at about $1400 a pair, but the prices vary depending on what options you choose (colors, material, heated, etc.). You can get custom seats to match your van, whereas the Recaros are just one color.

They also can totally rebuild your seats with new padding/cushions, heating pads, etc. which could be like getting a newer, late model Vanagon seat.

They are great folks and offer good quality products.

http://sewfineproducts.com/newvan.htm
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Syncro Jael · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:12 am Post subject:

spitsnrovers · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:53 am Post subject:

Even with an '88 Westfalia GL, we found the seats uncomfortable for distance driving. They may be better than older version VW seats, but still not good enough.

So we put in old Ford Club Wagon seats. Found a set in a wrecker with the correct velour colour, and double arm rests. A bonus was the 6 way power drivers seat, and power lumbar air bladder in both seats.

Yes, the swivel on the driver's side had to be removed due to height, but the passenger side works perfectly.
Details here:
http://www.griffco.ca/interest/vw/vwmods.htm
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

Syncroincity · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 1:06 pm Post subject:

Check craigslist for Recaros there are many variations out there, and they all have the same mounting pattern. THe cheapest are usually from Jetta GLI from the MKII lineup, the ones with power adjust are real Recaro LS seats with grey velour upholstery.
If you find a set cheap that are beaten up, new replacement foam is available, and any upholstery shop can make you new covers. OEM Vanagon cloth is also still available if you want them to match the rest of the van.

You will need to buy or make mount adapters to fit the Vanagon seat tracks.
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B-bear604 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 2:09 pm Post subject:

When we were checking out Westfalia's to see if they would work for our lifestyle we rented a full camper with the swivel seats, it was my only complaint for the trip the seats were a pain literally. We ended up buying a Wolfsburg Westfalia with the larger non swivel seats.
I can drive in those seats far longer than in the smaller swivel ones, seems that they have more cushion and definitely more comfort. Could be a less costly upgrade to gain a bit more comfort. Not Recaro's but not they same price as well.

And as a side note later model armrests are also far better..l..mine are on their way today. Very Happy

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Brent H
1991 Westfalia Multivan "Vicki"
1986 Westfalia "Wolfsburg Edition" Lowered, RIP😭
2005 Jetta Wagon TDI
1985 Mercedes 380sl

Merian · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 2:22 pm Post subject:

#1 I'd look around for someone local to rebuild your seats - new foam, etc.

or swap the 2 front seats - I did that and it works as the pass. seat gets a lot less use over 30 years...

you can try those before spending a kilobuck

GWTWTLW · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 2:51 pm Post subject:

GoWesty sometimes has used recaros. That's how I got mine and saved a bunch of $$. I've never regretted spending the money on them.
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Howesight · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:26 pm Post subject:

Like Danfromsyr pointed out above, the regular Vanagon seats are more comfortable BY FAR than Westfalia seats and you can get them in matching fabrics.

Here's the difference:

1. The Westfalia seat bottom is shorter (2" to 3"!)in the measurement from front to back to allow the Westy seats to swivel. This takes away some of the support your thighs need.

2. The padding in the Westfalia seat bottom is 1.5" to 2" less thick than the Vanagon seats because the swivel mechanism raises the seats and Westfalia wanted to preserve the headroom. This means you "bottom out" in the Westy seat way too easily.

I previously had a Westy with Vanagon seats and, at 6'1" myself, did not find the loss of headroom was a problem. The difference in comfort is day and night.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

oldschool84 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 8:18 am Post subject:

Just spent the kilobuck and a half on fuel line and tune up so I'm now down to cheaper stuff to deal with for the time being. Seats are a big deal as you can feel the springs - charming at first but not so much anymore.

Any recommendations for seat covers that are good, fit decently and are a low cost approach?

Thanks -

BlueGrasser · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 8:53 am Post subject:

campism · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 8:57 am Post subject:

photogdave · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:08 am Post subject:

I got a pair of these, new, heated with brackets, for the price of ONE Recaro:
http://corbeau.com/gts-ii.html
And no, I don't miss the armrests! Razz

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gary1998 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:12 am Post subject:

seats from a saab (99,900,9000,also the 93 and 95) will fit with little fuss , slightly higher but not noticeable
after ten minutes driving
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