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Cadillac Repair/Front seat bottom too long

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Expert: - 9/16/2009


Question
I showed my wife a lovely 2002 Deville. She presently has a 2000 LeSabre. The car is a nogo because the seat bottom hits her legs about 2 inches below the knee. She is 5' tall.  We had the same problem with a 1994 Intrepid and she complained for the 3 years we had that car. She would not accept using a lumbar pillow and I understand that.  Are you aware of anyone having shortened the seat bottom on a DeVille so it still looked good?  I called one trim shop and the owner said he wasn't aware of a technique to do this.  I would really like to get the Caddy because it is a real bargain considering the luxury, fuel economy, and quality but I am afraid "Stumpy"s" short legs will make it unacceptable to her.
Thanks,
Jimmy

Answer
Hello,

I doubt if you will find anyone to alter the seat because there are liability issues. I understand your problem, but if you could find someone to make a new cover, there is more to it. The front of the steel seat bottom would need to be cut, which may create a safety issue, because the dynamics of the seat have changed and will not perform as designed in a crash.

Seats and wheels are the main issues looked at first in crashes for performance.

You might find someone to do such a thing under ADA (Americans with disabilities). This would be alterations for hand controls etc. The only problem to that is that 90% of these modifications are hokey and I don't think you would be satisfied with the fit of the seat cushion.

Although it may make all the sense in the world for the Caddy, you may opt to walk away if she is going to constantly upset with the car. Personally, I do sacrifice for the little woman because for me to be happy, she needs to be happy (Wink).

I wish I could give you a better answer, but you may not be happy with the modification and she may not be happy either.

Rob

Cadillac Repair

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Rob Painter

Expertise

Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?

Experience

Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.

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