6 months in, still can't get used to seat.

[sevenstorydrop]

Let me start by saying that I love this truck. I just can't get confortable in the driver's seat. Lower back is killing me. I have the lumbar support all the way off and it still feels like it's stabbing me in the back. Can the dealer do anything about this? Can I take it to some kind of aftermarket upholdstery shop or something? Do I just need to trade it in and lick my wounds?

Thanks

 

[mpaquette]

I'd take it in and at least have them check the function of your lumbar support. I have the leather seats and when my lumbar support is dialed all of the way down, it feels like there is a hole in the middle of the seat. Definitely nothing stabbing me in the back.

 

[Jed]

Did you try raising the front of the lower seat cushion? More support under your thighs might help with the way the lumbar feels in your back. At least it does for me....

 

[sevenstorydrop]

I have tried adjusting everything. I can sit in the passenger side and if feels better.

 

[j22pa]

Let me start by saying that I love this truck. I just can't get confortable in the driver's seat. Lower back is killing me. I have the lumbar support all the way off and it still feels like it's stabbing me in the back. Can the dealer do anything about this? Can I take it to some kind of aftermarket upholdstery shop or something? Do I just need to trade it in and lick my wounds?

Thanks

i feel similarly...after 3 months of driving...i cant really get comfortable either...my issue is more the seating 'position'..not so much the seat itself.

im male, 5'8" or so...average/stocky build....i feel the wheel should 'tilt' down further...toward the floor...at the lowest setting...i have to have the seat raised high!...to feel like i can 'reach' the top of steering wheel...my head is not far from the roof..and im not tall by any means ...lol.

i think my issues may come from driving a car..all my life...where you 'lay' down much more...with seat reclined...etc
so adjusting to driving a truck..and sitting upright...has been huge adjustment.

again..if the wheel tilted down more...i think would be great help.

still love the 4Runner over-all though and its my first Toyota ever too

 

[elemint]

How tall are you?

 

[ckon]

....i feel the wheel should 'tilt' down further...toward the floor...at the lowest setting...

I'm 6'1" and have no comfort problems but I agree about the steering wheel position. It's too bad it doesn't tilt down a little more.

 

[Physgirl]

Agreed, the drivers side has too much of an outward point in the lower back area. Very odd but love the rest of the vehicle.

 

[453030]

Sorry to hear it. My 5'7" frame fits wonderfully. I have had some muscular issues the last few years, and find the seat very supportive, especially in the upper back/shoulder area. At my low altitude there is gobs of headroom too :driving:

 

[Riser]

The seat definitely takes some getting used to. I am 6'2, 200lbs here and it fits great. I use little to no lumbar support. I do agree on the steering wheel point....

 

[Snooperstyle]

Let me start by saying that I love this truck. I just can't get confortable in the driver's seat. Lower back is killing me. I have the lumbar support all the way off and it still feels like it's stabbing me in the back. Can the dealer do anything about this? Can I take it to some kind of aftermarket upholdstery shop or something? Do I just need to trade it in and lick my wounds?

Thanks

Did you look at something like this?
TravelLite? Backrest by Lifeform® - Back Cushions - Back Supports

 

[matt3liv]

Too bad none of you have broken your seat like I have...

One of the springs, or what feels like a plastic plate has broken inside the seat back. It squeaks, and moans, and whatnot. However, its created a nice little softspot!

I'll be takin it in soon.

 

[sevenstorydrop]

I unzipped the back of the seat to see if I could adjust anything in the lumbar support. It's a plastic plate that bows out as a cable tightens when you hit the switch. I unhooked the cable and let the lumbar plate all the way out, but I still get the unwanted pressure in the ower back. So I guess it's not the lumbar, just the overall crappy fit (for me) of the seat. I'm 5'11 and 170lbs, so maybe if my butt was fatter, it would fit better. Anyone want to buy a gently used 2010 4runner?

 

[Maritimer]

Couldn't you get a custom seat put in somehow? I feel bad for you as the 4Runner seat is the best I could wish for. I love being in the saddle of my baby.

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

The seat in my 4Runner has a lot more support than the non-lumbar seat in my old 2008 Tacoma. After sitting in that thing for hours, my back would literally be sore. I have no issues with this seat at all since I can adjust the lumbar.

I am with some of you though, I have yet to get a comfortable seating position, I dislike having power seats, I would prefer just having the seat on a slider, and having the tilt handle. The seating position in the Tacoma was great, just had no lumbar support, the support in the 4Runner is great, just cannot get a good seat position going. Last night just for fun to see how high the seat would go, I was raising it and before it maxed out, my head was squished against the roof, lol. I am 6 ft 3 and 194 lbs.

Oh well, what can we do unfortunately, either get another vehicle or live with it...or spend a bunch and get something custom done.

Oh yeah, and my lumbar support makes noises also, still works fine, just makes a lot of noise when the lumbar is at certain positions.

 

[matt3liv]

I didn't realize that there was a zipper, so at lunch I went to check it out. I unzipped it, and fiddled with the mechanism a bit. I couldn't pinpoint the creaking noise, so I jumped in the front and sat in it to try to figure it out. Nothing, the noise is gone. So, I'm gonna go with it.

 

[1000MPH]

No issues with the seat other than I find myself leaning to the right for some reason...and I believe a seat with so many position options needs a memory setting.

 

[j22pa]

I have tried adjusting everything. I can sit in the passenger side and if feels better.

If you say the passenger seat feels better...could someone swap the driver's seat with the passenger seat ?

im not too mechanical..so i have no idea if its feasible...but, would get rid of the lumbar issue, if that is the main culprit...

and may be cheaper than the money you would loose selling the vehicle if you were serious about getting rid of it.

 

[luv2eat]

I have the same issues with the seat. After about 30 minutes in the seat, I start getting back aches. The lumbar seems to be the culprit-just can't get it right. The telescoping wheel needs to have better limits; in my case, I wish it can extend and lower more.
I went to Walmart and bought a cheap vinyl seat cover. It's a one piece cushion with couple of straps that go around the back of the seat to hold it in place. It has more padding and it seems to help.

 

[harper7]

Just a thought............The seats are held in by 4 bolts and a electrical connector. I would'nt be suprised if the other Toyota truck seats fit,like the 4th Gen Runners.You can also just go to a custom car interior shop if your near a big city and talk to them and see what they can do.

I personally like the feel and comfort of these seats way better then the ones that were in my 4th Gen. I don't use any lumbar at all on these,as it seems to be built in already and my back feels great after 17,000+ miles.6300 miles just in July so alot of long seat times.I'm 5'11" and 220 and fits like a glove so I guess they can't please everybody.