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

[sevenstorydrop]

Here is a link to how it works:
Toyota develops active head restraint to reduce whiplash injuries

 

[ciaz]

Interesting. Keep us posted.

On a side note, I've been driving my dad's 2010 Sequoia now for a few days, and the seat & the leather material both seem nicer and more solid. Actually, the whole interior (trim panels included) feels nicer.

 

[harper7]

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...

Great info! Learn something new every day. I thought it was all just marketing hype and thought that the headrest post just bent when pressure was applied,like in a crash, to help soften the blow to your head going back. It's actually a mechanical actuator and I can feel it back there now that you mentioned it!

Interesting. Keep us posted.


On a side note, I've been driving my dad's 2010 Sequoia now for a few days, and the seat & the leather material both seem nicer and more solid. Actually, the whole interior (trim panels included) feels nicer.

Probably a case of "you get what you pay for" A fully loaded 4x4 Seqouia Platinum list at >$63k and even a stripped down 4x2 starts at $41k. They did'nt sell many last year and all the talk was they were going to stop making them. Toyota refuted the rumors and they are still making them......for at least this year. I wish Toyota would make a Platinum Edition 4Runner with every bell and whistle available . But I guess they do and call it the GX460.

 

[sevenstorydrop]

Ok, well I succeeded. After unzipping the flap on the back of the seat, up at the top, there is a spring that's responsible for tension on the actuator. I unhooked the spring, and with the lumbar support pushed out as far as it would go, I reached in , and pulled that metal plate back. Without the spring, it stayed retracted. I relaxed the lumbar support and sat in the seat. I was pleased. I actually gave myself a little lumbar to make if just right. Do this at your own risk. This does disconnect the active part of the head rest. But I will take the 10% chance of whiplash in order to drive the truck in comfort. If anyone needs help with this let me know.

 

[ciaz]

Ok, well I succeeded. After unzipping the flap on the back of the seat, up at the top, there is a spring that's responsible for tension on the actuator. I unhooked the spring, and with the lumbar support pushed out as far as it would go, I reached in , and pulled that metal plate back. Without the spring, it stayed retracted. I relaxed the lumbar support and sat in the seat. I was pleased. I actually gave myself a little lumbar to make if just right. Do this at your own risk. This does disconnect the active part of the head rest. But I will take the 10% chance of whiplash in order to drive the truck in comfort. If anyone needs help with this let me know.

PICS! :hungry:

 

[NYRunner]

Here's a question~

Has anyone tried to put a 1" or so "lift" under the front of where the seat attaches to the floor? I'd love to get just a little more height from the front of my seat in the fully 'up' position as I'm only 5'9"....

 

[sevenstorydrop]

I would post picks, but unzipping / zipping the seat is a PITA. I'm planning on removing the foam from the upholstery shop, so when I do this, I will try to take some photos.

 

[Glenn_Law]

Ok, well I succeeded. After unzipping the flap on the back of the seat, up at the top, there is a spring that's responsible for tension on the actuator. I unhooked the spring, and with the lumbar support pushed out as far as it would go, I reached in , and pulled that metal plate back. Without the spring, it stayed retracted. I relaxed the lumbar support and sat in the seat. I was pleased. I actually gave myself a little lumbar to make if just right. Do this at your own risk. This does disconnect the active part of the head rest. But I will take the 10% chance of whiplash in order to drive the truck in comfort. If anyone needs help with this let me know.

Thank you for the info! I will be trying the same thing. The headrest is high enough and forward enough for me that I don't think there will be significant increase to my risk of whiplash.

 

[FStephenMasek]

Thanks for this thread! This headrest system part mentioned above seems like the culprit. When I was at the recent car show, as I mentioned in another thread(s), I spent quite a bit of time with the 2014 Limited. I could feel something hard below the lumbar support, so I got out and operated the lumbar support switch while holding my hand on the hard spot. The lumbar support adjustment made no difference. When I go to see them at a dealership(s), I'll try first adjusting the seat while outside the vehicle to see if there is a way to get rid of the hard spot.

I'm currently 215, 6' 1".

 

[2013Trail]

Thanks for this thread! This headrest system part mentioned above seems like the culprit. When I was at the recent car show, as I mentioned in another thread(s), I spent quite a bit of time with the 2014 Limited. I could feel something hard below the lumbar support, so I got out and operated the lumbar support switch while holding my hand on the hard spot. The lumbar support adjustment made no difference. When I go to see them at a dealership(s), I'll try first adjusting the seat while outside the vehicle to see if there is a way to get rid of the hard spot.

I'm currently 215, 6' 1".

I notice sevenstorydrop never got back and reported what the long-term results were after his seat modification regarding the active head restraint system. Anyone know if he's still around or did he sell his 4R and move on?