Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

[PaulD]

Looking for options to help keep a cool (dry) seat on a long drive with no A/C on. Has anyone found a good option? Some options I am aware of are:
1) Sheepskin - Never tried one. I understand they work but I am not sure I would like the bulkiness. This is the option I expect to try next.
2) Thick towel - somewhat better than bare seats for shorter drives but are not effective for an all day drive
3) Roller bead - don't look very confortable. Do they work?
4) Coil spring in a cover - been around forever. Cheap. Last time I used one, I did not think it was very confortable for a long trip
5) Forced air - small fan at your feet pumps air thru the air space in the cushion. This would seem to be a good idea but all the ones I found online had poor ratings (cheap construction, short life).

Anyone found a solution they really like? What is the name or source of product?

[Ediron]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Try googling air cooled cushions .

[CVCashmere]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Don't buy sheepskins! I think they are tacky!

See attached picture if you want proof! Plus... once you get sheepskins, then you migrate into stupid hats and the wearing of Thunderbird accessories.

Worst part of all, sheepskins seem to color-coordinate with Cashmere's interior!

Thanks
CVCashmere

[PaulD]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

... once you get sheepskins, then you migrate into stupid hats and the wearing of Thunderbird accessories.

Too late...I already fit that profile..

[Ediron]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Carl when I first looked at the photo I though you had a tooth pin on your shirt ,than I realized it was a boot removal tool.

[RustyFrye]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

I understand these can keep you cool and dry... and those long trips can be a little shorter because you won't have to make those occasional stops..

[PaulD]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

I understand these can keep you cool and dry... and those long trips can be a little shorter because you won't have to make those occasional stops..

That will come son enough but I am not quite there yet. What size do you wear?

[jerrym3]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Wonder how hard it would be to install the heating and cooling mechanics from a Lincoln LS.

[PaulD]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Wonder how hard it would be to install the heating and cooling mechanics from a Lincoln LS.

My wifes Lexus has all that stuff and I like it. I have done similar surgery with other vehicles and I am sure I could make it happen if I wanted to bad enough but I am not willing to do that to my bird.

[5bird7]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Ford tested the cooling seats on the tbird. Found that with no back seat, the air didn't circulate correctly for the seats in the Thunderbird so they decided not to add the cooled seats. Not sure how cooled seats work as have never had them on a car.

Paul, It's not particularly hard to add elastic to a towel to custom fit it to the seats so it doesn't scrunch around when doing any long distance driving. The two part seats we have make it a little easier to custom fit covers that are snug. - but I've never done it to the retro.

[MikeB]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

I bought a 2010 Lincoln MKS which has heated & cooled seats and the cooled seats REALLY work! It has three settings when turned on and I don't keep the highest setting on very long. When I get into the car and it's been sitting in the sun all day, the cooled seats make it comfortable fairly quickly. Sometimes I wish it had a cooled steering wheel too (although I think I read somewhere about cars that DO have this).

Would have been nice if the Thunderbirds had them but it's true that there is a fan under the seat that circulates the air when they're turned on so not having back seats could be part of the reason they didn't include them. The worst problem I had was when the Bird sat "top-down" with the sun baking the interior; don't do that anymore!

PS - Would adding a towel or other cushioning on the seats interfere with air bag deployment?

[PaulD]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Ford tested the cooling seats on the tbird. Found that with no back seat, the air didn't circulate correctly for the seats in the Thunderbird so they decided not to add the cooled seats. Not sure how cooled seats work as have never had them on a car.

Paul, It's not particularly hard to add elastic to a towel to custom fit it to the seats so it doesn't scrunch around when doing any long distance driving. The two part seats we have make it a little easier to custom fit covers that are snug. - but I've never done it to the retro.

I will probably go the terry cloth towel route because I don't think I would like the extra thickness added by the sheepskin approach. There are several seat towels on the market (about $30) with a slot cut in them to drop over the headrest. Can get them with all types of logos on them but have not found a TBird version (are you listening Bunny Lou?). I will probably experiment with a plain towel first.

PS - Would adding a towel or other cushioning on the seats interfere with air bag deployment?

Technically they can if you use a version that has anything on the side of the seat. Would need to cut off any straps that are on the side of the seat.

[Borla Babe]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Looking for options to help keep a cool (dry) seat on a long drive with no A/C on.

Why do you not want to turn the A/C on?

[PaulD]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

Why do you not want to turn the A/C on?

I am refering to top down driving. Although I do turn the A/C on sometimes at my feet, it does not help keep my seat or back dry while seated on a long drive.

[Borla Babe]

Re: Cool/dry seat cushion for all day driving

I am refering to top down driving. Although I do turn the A/C on sometimes at my feet, it does not help keep my seat or back dry while seated on a long drive.

Paul, put your soft top down, turn the air conditioning on full blast and enjoy the trip.
Oh oh , now I've done it, that statement always brings out those owners who say to not do as I just suggested, the A/C burns out twice as fast. Well to them I say , it's my car and I bought it to enjoy the top down weather and I don't want to be miserably hot during the drive. I drive my 02 about 3/4th of the year with the top down and the A/C running and no problems with the A/C yet. Maybe the A/C will go out tomorrow, who knows, but the only thing I do know is I am not going to be miserable driving my car.
Good luck with any decision you make Paul.