4th gen 4Runner's front passenger seat: Have you sat in it for long peroids?

RaysMD

New member
I have had my '05 Sport V8 for almost a year now. I've always been the driver, but recently I sat in the front passenger seat for close to 4 hours. It is the most uncomfortable seat ever. It seems as if the seat cushion is too short. I couldn't sit still for more than 30 mins without having to adjust my seating position.


I hope this is just not my 4runner. any similar experiences? Can I replace it with a similar driver's side seat?
 
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I just got back from a 3200 mile road trip. I drove most of the way but I heard no complaints from any of the other 3 people in the car about seat comfort.

I also just drove to Vegas from LA and got stuck in serious traffic in Riverside. We were in the car for 6 hours, me in the passenger seat. I thought the seat was fine.

The first trip was in my car and the second in my brother's '04 Sport.
 
I will agree that it is not the most comfortable seat ever......but it's not the worst either. That said, I have sat in it for damn near 8 hours once with no problems.

I will say the the front seats in my 3rd gen were at least twice as comfortable, with more more side support than those in the 4rth gen......reffering to the leather/power seats in both. Actually, I would rank the front seats in the high-end models of 2nd and 3rd gen 4Runners as some of the nice SUV/truck seats out there.
 
I have the same issue with the driver's side seat. Exactly as you put it...the cushion is too short.

Has anyone replaced their front seats with something that's more comfortable?
 
I would also tend to agree that the front seat(s) are not all that comfortable. I wouldn't say they are the worst I've ever sat in, like someone else said, nor are they anywhere near the most comfortable either. My previous vehicle was a Jeep Grand Cherokee and those seats were great, unfortunately the rest of the car was not.

The seat comfortableness (I'm making up words now) in my T4R is not great, and it's one of my only "complaints" with the vehicle. I'm 6'00, 180, and find myself having to adjust every so often on longer trips, much more so than any other vehicle I've had in the last 10 years. But hey, I have 20,000+ miles on my baby now, and if that's one of the only complaints I can come up with, I'm happy...
 
I never had a problem with the seats in the 4Runner. I agree they are not the most comfortable seats out there, but I or my passengers never complained. The major thing is the seats are way too close to the floor. I don't think the seat itself is uncomfortable, but rather the position.
 
I agree - big difference on trips when we switch drivers. It may be cause you can not make the same adjustments. 9-10hrs. or 600 miles is all I can take in the drivers seat but I am sure that's about all I could long haul trucker in any seat. I am an early morning driver - not a late night one.
 
I had recently driven to Quebec City from Toronto (9 hours of driving time) I drove there and my friend did it back to Toronto. OK, the passenger seat is not perfect, I really miss the height adjustment, but I was fine after 9 hours.
 
I have an SR5 and I do think the passenger seat is not as comfortable as the drivers since you can not adjust it up and down.

On the other hand at least the passenger seats does not move around.
 
no lumbar

i have that cranked up on my driver seat but as u know theres none on the pass side.
I'm a little concerned that the side bolsters on my 05se seem weaker since i bought the truck last march.
 
Chris1515 said:
I have the same issue with the driver's side seat. Exactly as you put it...the cushion is too short.

Has anyone replaced their front seats with something that's more comfortable?

Aye. Both my fiance and I have noticed both front seats arent all the comfortable on long trips. 2 hours and I'm adjusting the driver seat all around. I have yet to find a position that is all that great for 2+ hours.

I have fabric seats in the SE. Are the leathers better or worse?
 
jbrhymer said:
Aye. Both my fiance and I have noticed both front seats arent all the comfortable on long trips. 2 hours and I'm adjusting the driver seat all around. I have yet to find a position that is all that great for 2+ hours.

I have fabric seats in the SE. Are the leathers better or worse?
I don't know if leather seats as a whole are better, but I haven't experienced the discomfort other people are talking about. I think they are comfortable seats. I took a 10 hour trip to SC this Fall, and drove the whole way without a problem. I don't even recall adjusting my seat, and we didn't stop too often.
 
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Yeah, this can be a serious problem though not related to safety.
It can cause back pain if the situation persists, IMO.
I would avoid sitting in front passenger seat for a long period of time. I will ask for rotation between front seat and rear seat.
 
No complaints from her in the seat!

A very good "car dog"!
 

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Chris1515 said:
I have the same issue with the driver's side seat. Exactly as you put it...the cushion is too short.

Has anyone replaced their front seats with something that's more comfortable?

I replaced the seats in my 1st gen w/ recaro touring seats...light years more comfortable. 9 hr hauls across the desert are no problem, lots of lumbar/side support even w/o the optional inflatable "bulb." The foam conforms to the shape of one's body when it warms up, so no pressure points. Definitely one of the best upgrades I've made, as I do lots of road trips.
 
I've sat in it for short trips as I let my friend drive my truck (he really wants to buy one and i'm trying to help that process move faster). Anyways, Its not as comfy as the driver's seat but its not bad. any front seat feels funny to me anyways as I'm use to driving all the time. I usually have the paseenger seat recline a little bit more as i'm 6'1" and sitting upright isn't exactly comfortable.
 
I'm printing this off for my wife. I have a 2006 Sport with 3400 miles and she is complaining about no lumbar support in the passenger seat. Now she will know she is not alone. I've ridden there a couple of times for short periods and have no problem. Needless to say, we're off to the Healthy Back store to look for a lumbar support.
 
The seats in the 4th generation 4Runner really SUXs!! I drove from California to Georgia back in the spring and my arse ached. It seemed as if I could never fully stretch out my legs. One of the major reasons for me to consider trading in my Runner when the next generation Seqouia comes out is these freaking flat-floor, uncomfortable azz SEATS! This is the absolutely WORST design of the Toyota engineers!
 

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