New front seats

[mshaw1980]

So after all my reading I went for saab 9-3 electric seats for my T25 a few years back but I have to say they are nowhere near as comfortable as some people have suggested .

At 6"1 I and 16 stone I have come to the conclusion now that these seats are a bit too high than I would like. Even with the smaller steering wheel I never feel in a comfortable driving position.

If I have the seat back in a position where I can rest my legs properly (my legs not being hunched up like I am in a tiny go kart) then I feel like the steering wheel is too far away. (Really wish you could move the steering wheel closer to the driver) I have a gearstick extension and that is good so no issues there.
Some of the issues I am finding with the saab seats are as follows:

1. When cornering in our not exactly fast vans I have to brace myself against the floor and lean against the turn as I feel I could potentially slide off the seat. This is not good for my lower back.
2. The lumbar support is rubbish on these seats and doesn't give adequate support.
3. Even with the different adjustment allowed by the electric seats I think I am hust sat too high up for me to ever get into an ergonomically sound driving position.

I do have my old seats but you can feel the metal framework in them as they are knackered and with the cost of reupholstering these on the Isle of Man behind around £900 I am worried about spending that much on seats that may not be particularly great afterwards. So I was wondering if anyone had any better suggestions than saab seats that are still easily obtainable??

The main thing for me is to be able to sit lower and have better support for my lower back so I dont end up a twisted mess.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

[boatbuilder]

I fitted leather alfa romeo seats in mine a few years ago and I drive it every day. They're really comfortable. I'm 6 foot 1 as well.
I removed the vw runners and bolted directly to the wheel arches. Slightly higher than normal vw seats but works fine with the standard big steering wheel.
I do find myself sliding the seat backwards and forwards every time I get in and out though.
I think the genuine vw captain's seats would be great,but you'd have to remortgage your house to buy them!
Before I fitted the alfa seats, I tried some Audi TT seats but they were really hard compared to the Alfas

[multisi]

There is the vw lower foam base that was fitted to the swivel seats.

[Aidan]

late 80's -late 90s flat bottomed recaros are a good bet as they have a low seat base; it used to be possible to get adapters that bolted straight on and had our runners on from Germany, sorry I can't remember the brand; I have them in the pickup. I picked the seats up for £120 the pair, very tidy cloth seats from a cheap GT Korean built 'rally' car medium hatch, I can't remember the model
I have a pair of I think Opel ( they look like Vauxhall style, but maybe Ford) ones that were in my van when I bought if from Germany which had the adapters on. These ones are grey cloth alcantara.
You can buy new Recaros and other brands for the price of 2nd hand 35 year old captain's seats.
GoWesty sell a recaro adapter kit I think still.

Seat padding for standard seat is still available new from classic parts but the captain's seat and swivel seat versions are not

[SyncroMatt]

I was going to mention the late captain's seats are great for me at 6'. But it seems we might be looking elsewhere 

[multisi]

All the types of seat foam are still available from various places including Brickwerks. Brand new vw seats are also in stock at Bus-ok.de for about £500 each without covers.

[hubcap61]

I'm 6'6" and 15 and a bit stone with manual SAAB 9-3 seats.
Not had a problem with them personally. Had them in my daily driver for the last few years.
Don't know if manual seats fit lower than electric though.

[mshaw1980]

They definitely look lower than my electric Saab seats hubcap. You have the original big steering wheel too. No way I could drive my van if that was still the case.
I love driving the van. As am an 80's child it's like driving a piece of my childhood...but it would be nice to be more comfortable driving it

[Oren Kipnis]

SAAB manual seats are a bit lower then electric, especially with the NG900 and OG9-3.
The manual passenger seat is also a bit lower then the driver's.
If you manage a SAAB 9-3 VIGGEN seats, you will be in heaven.

[Rosie n' Jim]

I fitted seats fro  a Smart for 2 to give a lower and supportive ride, but may be a little small for you. Look at MGF or TF seats, they have the support and are low on their runners.

[t25adict]

Have to agree with Aidan.. love Recaro seats and I have had them in most of my vans and cars.
don't get escort rs turbo ones though or rover vitess turbo recaro seats though. the RS ones are a much taller base. rover ones have built in subframe.

Manta and Astra GTE  are good and low but more tired now.

there are lots of sets out there and still some can be had for not too bad money. the common mountings are 2 m6 bolts to the front of the seat (each side.) and one each side at the back.  the widths of the bolts works fairly well with t3 runners.

I have not found much else that can be fitted as low as recaro's. 

go for the smaller upper bolster seats if your move around a bit as you drive. the big bolster seats really hold you.