SunPilot
New member
That looks lie it might be a worthwhile item to have. Let us know how you like it
6 months in, still can't get used to seat.
- Thread starter sevenstorydrop
- Start date
That looks lie it might be a worthwhile item to have. Let us know how you like it
fxoffroad
New member
Ditto that... I find the seats to be excellent and extremely comfortable. Really like the all the movement - and they are great on long trips. Thought I had to concur w/ Harper (that some of us actually like the seats).
I consider myself to be difficult to please when it comes to seats; eg. my office chair is a spendy HumanScale Freedom chair because I couldn't find anything else that comfortable.
Hope you find a solution.
Snooperstyle
Member
Has anybody tried any of the aftermarket seat cushions like they sell at "Relax The Back" and other places? My back is starting to bother me too now.
While I think those things might help, I think part of the issue might actually be side support, combined with the overall position of the seat and steering wheel compared to that of a car. My old car had a little bit bigger "pads" on either side of my legs and back...whatever those parts of the seat are called?? They hugged me like a glove, even in hard turns. I am unaware of any type of product that can increase the "glove" feel. Perhaps I will end up at the upholstery place too...:shrug:
While I think those things might help, I think part of the issue might actually be side support, combined with the overall position of the seat and steering wheel compared to that of a car. My old car had a little bit bigger "pads" on either side of my legs and back...whatever those parts of the seat are called?? They hugged me like a glove, even in hard turns. I am unaware of any type of product that can increase the "glove" feel. Perhaps I will end up at the upholstery place too...:shrug:
You could do this as long as you don't mind the side airbag going off on your RIGHT side when you get hit in the driver's door, or vice-versa. Think McFly!
Also, a safety issue... remember these seat mounted airbags when installing aftermarket cushions and whatnot...some of these things have elastic straps or ties that might interfere with the airbags. The seat airbags are also the reason for the distance between the seat and the door. In the old days you could comfortably rest your left elbow on the door rest and with two fingers hold the big skinny steering wheel.
I find the seats the the 4R to be plenty comfy(I'm 5'7") and the butt warmers on the leather seats are a treat for the several months of winter under way.
kmiller8821
New member
I agree. The airbags should definitely be taken into consideration before any type of cushion, etc is strapped to the seat. I'm 6'4, 215lbs, and the seat has been exremely comfy for me as well. The seat heater is also a definite plus and with temps dipping lately, I've been using this. They heat up QUICK too.
Snooperstyle
Member
Good luck convincing anybody to do that!
A very good point...but I think there are some that don't have straps...not really sure...I was hoping someone on here had already bought something...I could end up being the guinea pig on this one...so if I am, I will report back...
sevenstorydrop
New member
I have been using a small cushion from an infant seat, which was working for the short term. I made an appointment at an auto upholstery shop to create a new contoured cushion to fill the void in the lower part of the seatback. She said that they do this pretty frequently. The are going to take the cover off, insert the cushion, and stick it all back in. Quoted me about $150. I am supposed to take it in tuesday, so I will let you know how it turns out.
Snooperstyle
Member
Hey now that's a pretty slick idea! Let us know how that pans out.
x2 and if you can take pics of the cushion before it is installed, that would be great!
I thought I fixed the problem before, but recently on long drives the seat gets quite uncomfortable again.
Oddly, I have not noticed the lumbar pain at all with my seats. The first day I owned mine a couple weeks ago I took a 3 plus hour drive to the beach.
I do think the seat cushion is a llittle short for thigh support, by I am able to adjust it so I'm comfortable.
The lumbar does adjust out to some crazy level though. Feels like it is going to rip the leather it extends so much.
I do agree the upper back area is a little thin though.
I also have a Caddilac SRX and Honda Ridgeline, and the Honda is probably the most comfortable on long trips, the SRX and 4Runner feel about the same, although the 4Runners are higher off the floor.
Fwiw, I'm 5'9" and about 175.
I do think the seat cushion is a llittle short for thigh support, by I am able to adjust it so I'm comfortable.
The lumbar does adjust out to some crazy level though. Feels like it is going to rip the leather it extends so much.
I do agree the upper back area is a little thin though.
I also have a Caddilac SRX and Honda Ridgeline, and the Honda is probably the most comfortable on long trips, the SRX and 4Runner feel about the same, although the 4Runners are higher off the floor.
Fwiw, I'm 5'9" and about 175.
sevenstorydrop
New member
I think it just has to do with your shape. I think people with bigger butts would fit in it better since there is less of a void. For me, the lumbar connects at the middle top of the kidneys then nothing from there down, which puts pressure in a bad place. I will let you know how it turns out. I don't know if I will be able to take pics though, since I will be leaving the car.
sevenstorydrop
New member
I make no ASSumptions! Really though. I thought I noticed this in a white 4r I tested, then it felt fine in another. I ordred mine, so I didn't really test it before buying. Maybe they are coming out differently.
X4
Took a 300 mile drive today and had to stop twice to get out, bend over, etc. I hate the "void" between my lower back and the lumbar adjustment that is all the way back, still sticks out.
I didn't notice it before, but this is the only the second trip i have taken over 100 miles.
harper7
Senior Member
If you plan on keeping it awhile it would be a good idea to take it to a car upholstery shop to work with you to make it more comfortable.Either that or buy some other seats.
You can fix it yourself as somebody just wrote a great DIY on seat heaters /removing seat(s)/ and seat covers that will work for adding foam cushion where needed too. That's all a shop is going to do .
I have a bad back and these seats fit me really good with no pain. Drove 6300 miles in a month last summer and couldn't have ask for a more comfortable seat really.I'm 5'11 and 210lbs so maybe they were designed by a pleasingly plump person too! There's no way they could make a seat to fit everybody on earth.There are almost 7 billion of us.
sevenstorydrop
New member
Ok, the results;
We tried a bunch of padding combinations, but there really isn't alot of room to do anything in there. I ended up going with a wedge at the bottom, which took some of the pressure away, but it's still not 'confortable'. But, I think I found the culprit of this seat, and why only some individuals experience this issue.
It's the active headrest system. At the bottom of the seatback, there is a metal plate. Its round and has a little smaller diameter than a hocky puck. This is connected, via cable, to your head rest system. In an impact, your body will press on this plate and extend the headrests. What we found when we had the seat torn apart, is that if we pull the head rest up, the cable moves that plate back, and the pressure is gone. I sat in it while we did this, and it's instant gratification. But, we didn't figure out a way to solve it, unless you get someone holding your head rests up at all times. I think that if I can find a way to tighten the cable, so as to retract the metal plate, then my issues will be solved, as long as it doesn't affect the headrest performance. Different lengths and tensions of this cable will set the plate in different places in the seat, which is why this doesn't affect everyone. With the seat open, you can see that the plate digs in too your back while you sit down. I guess this thread is a To Be Continued...
We tried a bunch of padding combinations, but there really isn't alot of room to do anything in there. I ended up going with a wedge at the bottom, which took some of the pressure away, but it's still not 'confortable'. But, I think I found the culprit of this seat, and why only some individuals experience this issue.
It's the active headrest system. At the bottom of the seatback, there is a metal plate. Its round and has a little smaller diameter than a hocky puck. This is connected, via cable, to your head rest system. In an impact, your body will press on this plate and extend the headrests. What we found when we had the seat torn apart, is that if we pull the head rest up, the cable moves that plate back, and the pressure is gone. I sat in it while we did this, and it's instant gratification. But, we didn't figure out a way to solve it, unless you get someone holding your head rests up at all times. I think that if I can find a way to tighten the cable, so as to retract the metal plate, then my issues will be solved, as long as it doesn't affect the headrest performance. Different lengths and tensions of this cable will set the plate in different places in the seat, which is why this doesn't affect everyone. With the seat open, you can see that the plate digs in too your back while you sit down. I guess this thread is a To Be Continued...
