NRG Innovations Racing seat install and review

[Jon]

I have been in the market for seat covers and new seat belts for a while now. Leather seats are tearing at seams and the seat belts springs are shot (they don't retract much anymore). The seat covers and new belts would be over $500. After the Rubicon wrecked my lower back I've been wanting a more supportive seat. My first stop, as most here know, Ebay!:keyboard:

There are several options but the ones I found come from NRG Innovations which sell as a pair, recline, slide, include 5-point harness and look plenty supportive. A great option at $340 shipped, $370 if you're in CA like me (gotta love that tax!).

I got the driver's side seat today (placed order 6 days ago) and the passenger side should be here tomorrow. The seat itself is comfortable (real test will be wheeling) and snug on the shoulders (makes you feel like Dom Toretto). This is just with it on the living room floor. The "hardware" included does nothing for me. I got 5x bolts, lock washers and metal grommets that "might" be used to mount the belts. Nothing to mount sliders to seat. (seller notified) Regardless of response the seat/seats are going in Sunday before the Broncos/Pats game. Go Broncos!

I will keep the updates coming as they are installed and give a thorough ride review.

I went with the "Carbon Fiber" pattern for the simple reason that it appeared more durable. Also comes in a smooth finish and cloth.

 

[downpour11]

Nice!!

Jon, out of every 4runner I've ever been in, you sir, needed seats sooooooo damn bad :lmao:

They look sweet too. I'll have to jump in on our next trip.

 

[Jon]

You got it man, I owe you a ride after last trip! At least you had a dedicated pic taker. :biggrin1:

All I have to do now is install seats, receive/install skids and weld on some rear link mount skids.

 

[hrt4me]

those look good, will be interesed how they work out for you...

 

[Hog1983]

Wait a minute??? 370 for for two seats?!!!

My seats in my 96 are gone, my passenger seat is like 2 inches taller cuz the driver seat is so worn. My back is killing me! I am going to have to look into this option. I have looked at TC seats, tacoma seats and then seat covers, but that is a good price

 

[Hog1983]

Let us know how they feel! Im super interested in that

 

[4yotaguy]

I too have a serious back issue with the stock seats. I tried four Corbeau seats from racingseats-usa.com. The main reason is because they sell brackets for our trucks! The brackets come with sliders and the seat belt buckle mount. It wasn't cheap, but it depends on the seat you choose, the mounts were about $80 each- a no-brainer for a perfect fit and adjustment! I have pics on here of mine...somewhere...I am currently using a Corbeau suspension seat, a Baja I believe...

 

[shouldbeasy]

I'm really interested to see how you like these seats - especially for longer distances.

The Mastercraft seats are probably on my list but they are a pricey option and I do like the fact that these are priced right.

Post up a solid write up on the sliders and install if you can - the more pictures the better!

 

[Jon]

So here's my old seats

Yes that is custom duct tape inlay with some fantastic zip tie stitching.

So the slides on the new seats are quite narrower than the factory ones. The factory seat slides are 17" apart and the NRG slides are 13 5/8". So custom brackets are needed. Not a problem with a welder. Went to True Value down the street and picked up two 4ft sticks of 1 x 1/4" flat stock ($15ea). It takes almost the whole 4ft for two brackets.

 

[danthemanx07]

Love it. The seats in my 2002 Taco look like that... This may be the ticket. Keep us posted, but it looks like you are doing great. Those seats look great too.

 

[1blink]

My interest is piqued. Please keep us updated

 

[Jon]

Best game I've seen all year! Denver just the victim of bad luck on the final punt reception.
This guy should have been paying center LB! Batman vs Bayn!

But back to the seats....

Thanks to the measure twice cut/drill once idea, the brackets went in flawlessly. The seat sits straight but feels like its an inch or two higher. I can either learn to like it or take it down the 1.25" that I have t play with (that being the height of the shortest bracket leg). Still to come is the other seat and the shoulder harness cross member. I'm going to utilize the factory seat belt hanger mount location and the forward-most "oh $hit handle" bolt for the brackets on that lil project. I'll include that in this write up.

1/2 time

After the longest game of all time....

Ride quality: only took it around the block and so far I'm happy. Seat belt is a PITA now. I had to quick mount the buckle receiver to the old right rear seat mount hole and it's a hard stuff to get the thing buckled now. Closest thing to secure it to for now till I get the 5pt harness in there.

Do not be fooled. This was not easy. I used this entire pile of tools for this on small project!

 

[Jon]

So after a week of driving I'm still loving the new seat. I did have to knock 1" off the back legs to angle the seat bottom back. I'm tackling the passenger side right now. Should be done in a hour or two.

 

[danthemanx07]

That is a good looking seat. Can you post a picture of the seat belt arrangement? When you get a chance? Thanks!

 

[Jon]

Sure will man. The shoulders are temporarily floor mounted till I decide whether I can do a front cage or just a roll bar behind the front seat. A full cage would be best of course.

 

[Jon]

Got the passenger seat in today. This one I kept a slow as possible (about an inch shorter than stock) while still maintaining the 1" drop in the rear and not interfering with the heater. The heater duct did have to get cut through for one mounting foot. A little duct tape fixed the leak.

Seat belts use factory seat/seat belt locations FOR NOW. The shoulder straps will in the near future be bolted to an interior roll bar that is welded to the frame. Gonna have to go to my buddy Scott's for that kinda work, same guy that built the sliders.

The brackets take one 4ft stick with the slides mounted to 14" pieces welded to legs of varying length 1-5" welded to 1.25" feet. Message me if you'd like specifics.

The seats are good. Nothing like Cadillac comfort but they are made for support. There's even a good amount of lumbar support. Only regret may be going with the PVC rather than cloth. The PVC will be more durable but the cloth may be better in the summer to prevent the ol' swamp a$$. Otherwise I'm happy as hell with them.

And a teaser of the skids

 

[JamesDean91]

Do you have the rear belts bolted to the floor? Any plans on mounting them correctly? Your going to have more then a sore back if you flip it like that.

 

[KidVermicious]

Cool writeup. How tall are you, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[jmildoc]

they seem a little high off the floor

 

[JWaldz]

If you have any concerns for longevity, I might consider gusseting the inner corners. Just seems that with the chairs angled back, after time (accelerations, bouncing/jarring while offroad, etc..) the mounts will more or less fold at the weld and just collapse backwards. I like the idea though, the looks pretty damn comfy.