I have been getting a severe back ache from my car. These are
very plush electric seats that can be placed in various positions.
Yet I find that long trips give me a severe back ache that
recently has taken weeks to correct.

I have tried a cushion that supposedly provide lumbar support
but it is quite uncomfortable and moves me closer to the steering
column than I like.

Can anyone make some suggestions? Thanks.

I personally have used the bead seat cover, but that doesn't mean its for
everybody.

-Matt Welter

After a month, I went to a store that sells chairs, etc. with back
support and the y sold me a "McCarty's Sacro-ease."  It is basically a
cloth-covered metal frame with some sort of springy support inside.  It
is a hinged seat-and-back.  Very lightweight.  It lives in my van, but I
can easily move it to any car I'm riding in.  I have used it for 3 years
now and it is a LIFESAVER.  (Backsaver?).  I almost forgot - the saleman
bent it to match my back curve in the store.  I think it was about $60 (I
can't remember, but it was worth every penny!).

It is made by BRS, and the phone number on the back of mine is
1-800-635-3557.

Julie

It didn't really matter when we had Continentals in Japan.  We would
usually stay in the car for no more than an hour there.  In North
America, where you tend to drive or sit in the car a lot longer than
that, it can be a major disadvantage.

Is there any aftermarket seat available for the Crown Vic?  I mean, if
you can find a shop that can get you appropriate seat rails, I'm sure
just about any seats (eg, Recaro, Sparco, etc) would fit in.

Hope this helps a bit...

Dai Toyama

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.' MATTHEW 5:4
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Years ago we had a problem with "FORD TRACTOR BACK SYNDROME"
farmers who had a certain type of seat found on certain ford tractors had
similar complaints!

I've purchase several type of those back cushion gizmos, and the other
poster is right -- too too thick!!  The "best" results for me: I stuff
ratty old smallish cushions into the "well" made into the "bucket" (= pain
promoting) seat of my jeep.  Then I use one of those kmart garden/kneeling
firm foam pads (cut to fit), over it.  Then for the "back" part of the seat,
I grabbed a used, triangular shaped firmish, 2" thick (but somewhat
compressible cushion.  Trick is, I do NOT put cushion in the "small of my
back" (lumbar area -- where some people _think_ you ought to, since that's
where the pain is).  As for the triangular cushion (can be any shape, but
_don't_  have it very large ; that's another problem w/ storebought) I put
it about the level of low-mid thoracic (shoulder blade level).  I can
adjust or remove this back cushion.  I still cannot ride in car too long,
but this takes edge off the pain.  Hope you find a solution.  Try jury
rigging something and play around w/ "comfort" -- what works and what
doesn't.  This will give you an idea what you might want to spend your
money on if you feel you must go commercial.

Another idea:  If you know of a physical therapist w/ experience in back
pain, make an appt. w/ him/her to help you get a cushion the right size
and in the right location.  Of course you have to pay them. One pt I went
to did this.  She confirmed my homemade solution.  Good luck.