Thread: How to Improve (GREATLY) the Comfort of Your Series for Pennies and in No Time

First the video, and then the explanation.


https://youtube.com/shorts/agrSrbHuSGg?feature=share


We know is fantastic vehicle, but let’s be honest—they aren’t exactly the pinnacle of comfort. There is little to be done to the leaf spring suspension, other than keeping them greased, or replacing them by parabolic ones.... But this one is not that low cost upgrade.
But there is one area in which surprisingly usually people don't work in: The seats. The seat base is usually made of cheap particleboard that other than not doing anything for comfort, over time, rots, cracks, or just falls apart. Its only purpose is to keep together the upholstery and the foam.

The Problem: Cheap Particleboard

The particleboard that comes standard in Land Rover Series seats is, to put it mildly, pretty rubbish. Over time, moisture rots it, weight cracks...

The Solution: A Composite Sheet

The solution is as simple as swapping that particleboard for a high density composite sheet. This material is tough, durable, and—best of all—it won’t rot or crack. With a thickness of 4 to 6 mm (depending on your weight), the composite sheet will give you the stiffness you need without sacrificing comfort. Of course you can try too use other materials, but our favorite is this one.

Why It Works

Durability: Composite can handle moisture, weight, and bumps without breaking a sweat.
Lightweight: It’s lighter than wood, so you won’t be adding extra weight to your vehicle.
Flexibility: While it’s rigid, it has just enough flex to improve comfort, especially on rough terrain.

How to Do It

1. Remove the old board: Take out the particleboard that’s under the seat foam ... you will have to deal later with the staples, which won't go brought so easily, but nothing you can't solve without a proper glue.
2. Cut the composite shee. 460 *360 will do it. Why shorter? because you want the board to flex.
3. Install it Place the new sheet in position on the old frame.

And now the slow motion video explanation.

You can see clearly how you can get an extra 18 mm of suspension travel, and this means energy dissipation that won’t end up in your lower back intervertebral discs. (Yes, that’s my weak point and the reason we’ve been working on this.)
PD: Please, excuse the disgraced looking frame!


A Quick Note


We’re working on a more comprehensive solution for Land Rover Series seats, but we know many of you love DIY projects. That’s why we wanted to share this simple and affordable idea so you can improve your vehicle for very little money using your time!


Conclusion


Replacing the particleboard with a composite sheet is one of those small upgrades that makes a big difference. For pennies and in no time at all, you can make your Series much more comfortable and durable. In the video you have Give it a try and let us know how it works for you!

Originally Posted by gromit

You suggest 18mm of flex. As the base is typically in a steel frame the four edges can't move up & down so maximum flex is in the centre reducing to zero at the edges.
The old foam may be decomposing so I would have thought that a better bet would be to update the foam. Some research into available foam grades might be worthwhile.




Colin

If you watched the video is obvious that 18 mm is on the center, and zero on the edges. Even though , that's better than zero all over the surface.

Actually we have made in the past car and bus seats for third companies, so we have some experience about it. Our company was born as a passion, but we come from automotive world, and we use our expertise on our classic cars.

If the idea does not go with you, is OK. But that adding some extra suspension is a good thing, is something you will have to agree with. Then we can discuss about the pros and cons of getting it this way, or if there is a better way of achieving the same results with lower cost and complexity....
Anyway, my suggestion is something that anyone with basic tools and piece of HPL or FRP sitting around (or even spring steel) can try in a couple of hours. Getting a custom shaped foam is going to take longer, and way more if you are looking for some specific density grade, and it has to be compliant with automotive industry homologations (fire retardant, xxx-free.... you know).

xb-coupe-seat-new-springs-base2-1661x2048.jpg

And, if you are familiar with car seats, you will have noticed that many of them have a sort of spring under the foam, and exactly as we have suggested, their maximun flex is on the center, and close to nothing on the sides.
Very hardly you can get just with foam want you can get with foam+springs, as they work differently, under different frequency and loads. Is a industry standard.