4th gen driver seat alternatives

[JH225]

Hey Everyone,

I hate the seats in my 2008. My seats are tan leather, all manual adjustments, and honestly in pretty decent shape for 165k miles, but man they just don’t do it for me. Like a lot of you, I feel like I have no head room. I can kinda get the seat adjusted around to work good enough, but I’m really just making excuses about what’s comfortable. I’m 6’2” and 185# with a 32” inseam so most of my height is in my torso. I want to sit up straighter, but my head hits the roof. But even if I solved that problem, I still think the seat back is just too short/small. I’ve searched far and wide for information about seat swaps in a 4th gen but haven’t really found definitive information for a 4th gen (LOTS of info for 3rd gen though).

I’ve decided the route for me to go is to either get a real seat that fits my needs, or step up to a GX.
Im not afraid of some heavy fabrication, so making a seat work is a welcomed challenge. Stepping up to a GX means playing the long game To find exactly what im looking for, so I’m leaning towards making a real seat work.



1) who has replaced the driver seat with a totally different seat? What did you use? What would you do differently? I’m looking at a recaro or scheelmann, but can be persuaded.

2) does anyone know the resistance of the airbag in the OEM seat? I found conflicting info out there so I hope someone has a solid answer.


EDIT: For the record, when I sit up straight in the seat like I want to, the top of my shoulders is 5-6 inches above the top of the seat back (where the headrest is inserted).


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[MrSeth]

I ran some generic racing seats for awhile, welded to my OEM bases. They worked very well! Just decided to go back to more of a stock look after a while.

and then 2001 Lexus RX300 seats (I think). These were too puffy, made my nogin hit the roof while wheeling. :toilet:

 

[gaber6]

I'm similar size but more legs and arms. I feel like the seat bottom only supports half my thigh and on long trips it's not the best. Oddly enough, when I had the car packed tight for a cross country move, sitting close and upright was more comfortable long term and I had to get used to the "normal" position after I had room behind the seat.

 

[Billynath1988]

These are on the wish list, I have read great things about this is a solution.
Front Seat Jackers - 4Runners, GX and FJs
– Desert Does It

I also looked into seat replacement and any option seemed extremely expensive. I did replace the seat foam myself and that seemed to be worlds better than the original worn down the foam. I have also seen a few posts along the way of swapped seats from a volvo, but it looks very involved.

 

[JH225]

I'm similar size but more legs and arms. I feel like the seat bottom only supports half my thigh and on long trips it's not the best. Oddly enough, when I had the car packed tight for a cross country move, sitting close and upright was more comfortable long term and I had to get used to the "normal" position after I had room behind the seat.

I know exactly what you mean. If my legs were a hair longer I would start to be bothered by the seat bottom length as well.

Sitting upright is supposed to feel comfortable!! Haha. I’m trying to find a solution where I can do that all the time without hitting my head.


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[JH225]

I ran some generic racing seats for awhile, welded to my OEM bases. They worked very well! Just decided to go back to more of a stock look after a while.

and then 2001 Lexus RX300 seats (I think). These were too puffy, made my nogin hit the roof while wheeling. :toilet:

I’m definitely considering keeping stock sliders like you did so I have some height adjustability. Looks like they worked well!

What did you do in terms of the airbag system? Did you put a resistor in place or did you just let it be? I’ve found conflicting info on if the airbag system gets disabled if one component (I.e. seat) is removed.


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[JH225]

These are on the wish list, I have read great things about this is a solution.
Front Seat Jackers - 4Runners, GX and FJs
– Desert Does It

I also looked into seat replacement and any option seemed extremely expensive. I did replace the seat foam myself and that seemed to be worlds better than the original worn down the foam. I have also seen a few posts along the way of swapped seats from a volvo, but it looks very involved.

I’ve seen these, They look awesome! But honestly I’m not sure it’ll check all my boxes if I go that route. If I were to use the seat jackers, or go the other way and flatten out the rear brackets, that fixes only seat height. I’ve kind of decided that the seat back is really just too small for my super long torso.

You said the seat replacement options you’ve researched are extremely expensive, and I’ll agree to that. I think I’ve convinced myself to make the investment in a nice recaro or scheelmann and that seat will just travel from car to car with me forever.

Question for you: how did the seat foam improve your situation?


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[MikeinNH67]

I wonder if it would be worth trying a similar gen 4runner that has power seats. My seats height is adjustable, maybe you could just change the base that has all the power adjustments? I do notice that my passenger seat which does not have power is way too high. Can't imagine having that on the driver's side too.

 

[Billynath1988]

I’ve seen these, They look awesome! But honestly I’m not sure it’ll check all my boxes if I go that route. If I were to use the seat jackers, or go the other way and flatten out the rear brackets, that fixes only seat height. I’ve kind of decided that the seat back is really just too small for my super long torso.

You said the seat replacement options you’ve researched are extremely expensive, and I’ll agree to that. I think I’ve convinced myself to make the investment in a nice recaro or scheelmann and that seat will just travel from car to car with me forever.

Question for you: how did the seat foam improve your situation?


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The original seat bottom foam was extremely worn especially on the side where you get in and out.. basically falling apart. I would say changing the seat foam was one the best things I've done on my truck as far as enjoyment goes. Im not a super tall or big guy, the biggest issue I find now would probably be solved the seat jackers. That said, if I had the extra bux id go for the name brand replacement seats you mentioned.

 

[gimlithepirate]

I’ve seen these, They look awesome! But honestly I’m not sure it’ll check all my boxes if I go that route. If I were to use the seat jackers, or go the other way and flatten out the rear brackets, that fixes only seat height. I’ve kind of decided that the seat back is really just too small for my super long torso.

You said the seat replacement options you’ve researched are extremely expensive, and I’ll agree to that. I think I’ve convinced myself to make the investment in a nice recaro or scheelmann and that seat will just travel from car to car with me forever.

Question for you: how did the seat foam improve your situation?


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You can do a "cheap" version of the front of seat boost by putting 5 washers under each foot.

I am very similarly sized and have a lot of the same complaints... I actually find the seating position in Jeep Wranglers to be significantly better :/

 

[JH225]

I wonder if it would be worth trying a similar gen 4runner that has power seats. My seats height is adjustable, maybe you could just change the base that has all the power adjustments? I do notice that my passenger seat which does not have power is way too high. Can't imagine having that on the driver's side too.

I’ve wondered this too, although as a general rule power seats adds more components under the seat and can’t go as low as manual. Certainly worth finding one for sale with electric seat and taking it for a test drive.


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[JH225]

You can do a "cheap" version of the front of seat boost by putting 5 washers under each foot.

I am very similarly sized and have a lot of the same complaints... I actually find the seating position in Jeep Wranglers to be significantly better :/

I agree on the keep wranglers, VERY upright. That’s my kind of style.


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[MikeinNH67]

I’ve wondered this too, although as a general rule power seats adds more components under the seat and can’t go as low as manual. Certainly worth finding one for sale with electric seat and taking it for a test drive.


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If you'd like, I'll measure the center of my seat to the ceiling with it all the way down.

 

[JH225]

If you'd like, I'll measure the center of my seat to the ceiling with it all the way down.

Would you?? That would be great!


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[MikeinNH67]

Would you?? That would be great!


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Sure thing, I'll send myself a reminder right now to check tomorrow.

 

[MikeinNH67]

So I dropped the seat as low as it would go I think. I measured from the center seat seam to the flat part of the ceiling, tape measure at a slight angle as I have a sunroof. It measures at 34". I have a 30" inseam and like the seat somewhat forward so take that into consideration. It would probably be better to measure from the floor at a set distance back as the way I measured is easily off a bit.

 

[hinmo24t]

6'3 210 here and long arms/torso/short legs. 36x32 pants. XS underwear.

my head is about 1" from the roof. enough to make me wonder if id survive a rollover.

im comfortable to drive with the seat all the way lowered, and slightly reclined (my arms > 6'3" span might help with this)

 

[theoutbackdream]

I ran some generic racing seats for awhile, welded to my OEM bases. They worked very well! Just decided to go back to more of a stock look after a while.

and then 2001 Lexus RX300 seats (I think). These were too puffy, made my nogin hit the roof while wheeling. :toilet:

I’m definitely considering keeping stock sliders like you did so I have some height adjustability. Looks like they worked well!

What did you do in terms of the airbag system? Did you put a resistor in place or did you just let it be? I’ve found conflicting info on if the airbag system gets disabled if one component (I.e. seat) is removed.


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Sorry to bump this thread, but I was wondering if you guys were able to keep your airbag system enabled while having an aftermarket seat? I've been thinking about swapping one in, if I can find more info on this

 

[Flybynight]

No worries about bumping, its the top google thread when researching other seats. I saw a resto-modded land cruiser that used BMW 5 series seats and looked awesome, but as the dude above asked, would the airbag work like the stock 4runner seat does? Its a daily driver, I'd like to keep the side pillow if I get t-boned.

 

[Earnin’Turns]

Just wondering if anyone found a way to increase legroom and headroom in their 4th gen runner?

A little tired of driving with my head cocked to the side and never being able to straighten my legs ��