My Westie is also a pain in the butt. I fixed it with one of those
electric back message (Homedic) seat pads you can pick up in K-Mart,
Wall-Mart or other such place. They work fine on 12 volts and the nice thing
about it is that after the drive you can move it to the bed in the back.
   I have the long one (full body) but if I had it to do again I would have
bought the short one (back and butt) because it takes up less room when you
are not using it. You may also see an inflatable model (a "bubble" for the
lumbar). In my opinion a pillow in back of the pad would serve as well and
cost less. The heat option is worthwhile.
   If you decide you want to try one look for the newer models with twice as
many motors as the old (discontinued) models for the same price.

-----Original Message-----
From: holly & david estes <estehol@SC.LLU.EDU>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, May 31, 1998 6:57 PM
Subject: Driver's seat & pain

>Hello out there in Vanagon Land.  I'm not on the list but am throwing a
>question out to you, hoping someone could answer me privately (and Cc to
>the list, of course).  My father has a Vanagon Westfalia (1980 I
>believe).  Only problem is with the padding in the driver's seat.  There
>isn't any and the springs or supports or whatever they are are pushing
>through in the butt and the lumbar area.  Makes long drives (what other
>kind are there?) less than pleasurable:(  Any suggestions as to
>repadding (directions and resources) it or for getting a used but better
>condition seat as a replacement.  I'm hoping that there is a inexpensive
>D.I.Y. option available.  Well, thanks for your time,
>David Estes