Seat hack to add back support - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

heymanwatchthis · 08-12-2013, 04:37 PM

I discovered a cheap and easy way to add some back support to the 986 seats.

My '01 986S has standard seats that I found very uncomfortable. Lower back always hurt after a very short while, I could not find a way to adjust it out.

Fiddling around with the seat I discovered the 'pad' on the backrest is attached at the top and bottom, open on the sides. You can see from picture that the sides can be opened with a slight pull.

To increase lower back/lumbar support, I cut a couple of pieces of cardboard to slide down behind the backrest pad. I experimented with various shapes and thicknesses, settled on two pieces of thick cardboard (box for shipping), one taller than the other to make support profile I wanted. Width is a little more narrow than the backrest pad so it slides down into the seatback, and to hide the cardboard.

The cardboard has just the right amount of flexibility and structure. If it wears down or I dont like it for some reason, is extremely easy to remove and replace with something else.

Now my seat is very comfortable with the just right amount of support.

If any of you find your seats lacking lumbar support, hope this helps.

silverboxter · 08-12-2013, 08:08 PM

i did a similar thing with a manual blood pressure cuff. i can pump up the support or let it leak out as i please. pretty cheap, too. under $20.

Mark_T · 08-13-2013, 05:56 AM

I did the blood pressure cuff thing also. I found the child size worked best.

heymanwatchthis · 08-13-2013, 06:23 AM

Wow great idea, I will try the blood pressure cuff.

Pedrof · 08-13-2013, 06:47 AM

Pictures please of the blood pressure thing. Where did you hide the pump?

Mark_T · 08-13-2013, 07:36 AM

I let the pump bulb sit beside the seat by the hand brake. Remove the gauge, you don't need that part. With a little fiddling around you'll get everything where you want it. Sorry, don't have any pics handy.

haz · 08-14-2013, 01:45 AM

Anyone know which measurements to go for? I can see there are baby sizes also .. 8,5 cm x 19 cm

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BYprodriver · 08-14-2013, 01:42 PM

When I worked at Saleen Mustang 93-95 we installed Flo-Fit seats in the Saleens & most people ordered the optional lower lumbar support. This consisted of a plastic bladder & small squeeze bulb to pump up the bladder to the desired shape. These generic, purpose made bladders may be available if you search online.

WhiteyII · 02-19-2020, 10:31 AM

Been searching for this kind of relief for lumbar support for a while. Didn't realize you could get behind the back of seat back....... rolled up a hand towel put behind seat back my seat now fits me like a glove! Like a glove I tell ya.......t