Feet Don't Touch The Ground

No kidding. I'm 6'4" but the wife is 5'1" and with the comfort seats and power adjustment her feet only touch the ground comfortably with the seat base tipped forward.

There is a ~3" shorter base, but does anyone know the following;

- can the shorter base be ordered with the comfort seats and all the convenience/comfort pkgs? 144 passenger

- if not, do the bases have the same seat bolt patterns allowing me to swap?

- is there any possibility of something under the seat keeping me from swapping to a shorter base? My guess is that I can't add a second battery under a short base, but I don't know for sure.

Thanks

You could make a foot rest for her? |Fabricate something from wood and reupholster with carpet?

I had the same issue. I'm not sure about fitting a battery in a low base, but I was able to cram the Espar D2 heater, an amp, and a solar charge controller in mine.

I got this for my feet. I'm 5'7", with about a 31" inseam and this is perfect. My feet can touch the floor, but this makes it so much nicer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075RYDWZH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

430 hp 70 said:

... There is a ~3" shorter base...

Click to expand...

Is it possible to find anywhere? And how difficult would it be to swap out the driver's seat base, with all the electronics in there?

I'm anxious to install swivel seats but don't want to add another 1.5" to the seat height. (There is a 1/2" high swivel coming out, but it looks like it will be some time before they're available.)

cacaw said:

Is it possible to find anywhere? And how difficult would it be to swap out the driver's seat base, with all the electronics in there?

I'm anxious to install swivel seats but don't want to add another 1.5" to the seat height. (There is a 1/2" high swivel coming out, but it looks like it will be some time before they're available.)

Click to expand...

MB sells the short bases, but I think the main issue is that they only come in one color, so you still have to get them painted. This is why one of my requirements was MB factory seat swivels. You can purchase all the parts to do it yourself, but it was something like at least double the price for just the components, and then you still have to do all the work and get the bases painted.

From what I gathered, the only swivel seat that is even close to MB factory quality was the Alpine, but they aren't crash-tested or something. The factory swivels turn so smoothly, you don't have to open doors or be careful, and they don't make any noise/rattle, etc.

Thanks for the replies. It's going to be her daily driver so I need something permanent for both driver and passenger sides. I thought about raising the floor, but I need to look some more in to how it would affect the pedals.

IIRC, the power seats have ~3" of height adjustment and the lower base is 3.25" lower. The max height with the lower base would be very similar to the lowest height with the high base. This would be optimal.

Has anyone changed bases? I don't mind painting them, but does anyone know their cost?

430 hp 70 said:

Thanks for the replies. It's going to be her daily driver so I need something permanent for both driver and passenger sides. I thought about raising the floor, but I need to look some more in to how it would affect the pedals.

IIRC, the power seats have ~3" of height adjustment and the lower base is 3.25" lower. The max height with the lower base would be very similar to the lowest height with the high base. This would be optimal.

Has anyone changed bases? I don't mind painting them, but does anyone know their cost?

Click to expand...

Looks like about $200 each for the up to 2018 model, not sure if that changed with the 2019's. Here's a blog about someone changing theirs, with some good info.

https://sprintervanusa.com/2016/07/29/lowering-the-seat-bases/

canyoneer said:

Looks like about $200 each for the up to 2018 model, not sure if that changed with the 2019's. Here's a blog about someone changing theirs, with some good info.

https://sprintervanusa.com/2016/07/29/lowering-the-seat-bases/

Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks for the link.

I believe there's a company in the EU that makes aftermarket seat bases which the short version is one of them.

430 hp 70 said:

No kidding. I'm 6'4" but the wife is 5'1" and with the comfort seats and power adjustment her feet only touch the ground comfortably with the seat base tipped forward.

There is a ~3" shorter base, but does anyone know the following;

- can the shorter base be ordered with the comfort seats and all the convenience/comfort pkgs? 144 passenger

- if not, do the bases have the same seat bolt patterns allowing me to swap?

- is there any possibility of something under the seat keeping me from swapping to a shorter base? My guess is that I can't add a second battery under a short base, but I don't know for sure.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Did you ever figure out a solution to this? I am also vertically challenged like your wife and I find it to be painful to drive long distances with my feet just dangling.

Unfortunately we never made the change and she's gotten used to it. I did remove the plastic handle off the front of the seat that allows for extra thigh support. I don't believe all the seats have this but it was rubbing her legs.

I change the seat bases for both driver and passenger seat when I fitted the MB swivels. Search for other posts that include full details including part numbers.
The swap itself is very straight forward, just make sure you disconnect the battery before disconnecting any of the airbag or seatbelt plugs

I handled this problem by making a sturdy wooden box to place on the floor, the box has a set of jumper leads in it under a hinged lid with rubber on it. Eric.

We got one of these for my wife to use for both sitting and getting in and out of the van when parked due to her bad knees

Anyone know if MB will cut you a fresh VIN sticker if you swap seat bases? I always thought it was weird that the VIN is on the seat base, but it is.

Chaski said:

Anyone know if MB will cut you a fresh VIN sticker if you swap seat bases? I always thought it was weird that the VIN is on the seat base, but it is.

Click to expand...

I think there are 3 locations for the VIN, so wasn't too worried about the seat base sticker. However, I am sure MB can supply (for a suitable sum) a replacement if required.

We had the same problem so we got this. It folds up when not in use: https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Home-...60060727&sprefix=folding+stool,aps,236&sr=8-9

430 hp 70 said:

Unfortunately we never made the change and she's gotten used to it. I did remove the plastic handle off the front of the seat that allows for extra thigh support. I don't believe all the seats have this but it was rubbing her legs.

Click to expand...

can you instruct me on how you removed the handle on the front of the seat?

Here's the one I made up of plywood and piano hinges for those dangling feet.

bazar01 said:

Here's the one I made up of plywood and piano hinges for those dangling feet.
View attachment 228759
View attachment 228760

Click to expand...

This is very nice, unfortunately, I will be driving and not the passenger. However, I bet whoever uses this is in great comfort!