3RD Gen fabric seats comfort?

[PdT]

I am thinking about getting a toyota 4runner. Have test driven some. Most test drives only last about 5-10 mins and you can't really feel if the seats will be comfortable for 30 min/1 hour+ trips. What do you guys think of the 3rd gens comfort level?

 

[marino]

i bought mine new and have gone almost 113k in it, and have also had many a rental car (when traveling for work). I really do love the comfort of my seats, even though they are cloth.

what i don't like though, is the bumpy ride - but i'm still going on the stock struts which need changing badly. =)

good luck on your search!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

They're ok for long trips but they could be a tad more padded but nothing that kills me.

 

[techno]

I think the front seats are fine on long trips. I've done plenty of 3+ hr stints and have no complaints. My rig as 85k miles now.
I haven't riden in the back for longer than 1/2 hour so can't vouch for them though.

 

[uwgrad97]

They're great for tooling around town and shorter drives, but for me anything over 2-3 hours of straight driving starts to kill my lower back and butt. Not enough support down there in my opinion. But if I take a short break right around that point, I'm good to go for another 2-3 hours!

 

[GatorGreg]

I liked the front seats in my old '00 SR5. It did come with one of the upgrade value packages which included the so-called "sport seats". I don't think it added any padding or anything, just nicer fabric.

 

[Ill4Runner]

I have the leather package on my 4Runner and I think they feel great for long trips. On cold nights/winters or if my back is feeling sore I just kick on the seat heater.

I also drive a '90 Pick-Up with a bench seat so the 4Runner seats feel like heaven in comparison.

 

[kingbiscuit]

This is totally ghetto, but could you just buy a salvage leather drivers seat and switch out? I might do it if it is possible.

 

[MrWhite96]

I drove over 100K in a plain old '96 SR5 with cloth seats. My mom has an '02 Sport and in my opinion the SR5 cloth seats are way more comfy than the sport seats. That Sport fabric is hard/rough. I drive an '01 Limited now, and I hate the leather. It's not that they're not comfortable, because they are, but they're not as comfy as the cloth seats.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

look for the lumbar support lever

my SR5 has leather and the seats they are very comfortable. My teenagers say the back seat is significantly improved from the rear seat in a 2nd generation.

About the time any of us are starting to get sore from sitting-say on a long highway drive- it is time to fill up again with gas anyways. Run around the truck-use the bathroom-good as new.

The back lumbar support really helps out on the long trips-look for the little lever on the inside of the drivers seat-I used it when coming back from Moab last May and it really does help to keep your lower back supported.

I like the idea of swapping in your own preferred seat-I had some in my '88 Mazda 323GTX's (had 2 at different times) that were just incredibly comfortable and adjusted for height by tipping forward or back which was really nice on long trips combined with the tilt steering wheel.

 

[Ghostrider]

I upgraded the fabric on my 2001 to leather added by the dealer. I am amazed how well it has lasted. I really remember the fabric on the 2000 (I tested 2000 and 2001) was horrible in terms of comfort. In short pants it felt like I was sitting on an old hemp rope. My neighbor did the same upgrade and we both agreed that the factory cloth was just begging to be upgraded. As far as support - I have no problems and have driven it 10-12 hours at a time.