Quick seat question. Limited vs Sport

[Hob]

Hello all Ive decided a 3rd gen 4runner will be my next vehicle purchase but until I can find two 4runners to sit in myself I don't know which will be better for me.

I'm trying to decide on Limited or Sport (I know about all the model differences) but I'm interested in hearing the differences between seat comfort between the cloth sport seats and limited leather seats. By any chance are the 4runner leather seats perforated leather? I live in Phx AZ to walk out to my car that's been sitting in 105+ heat is a half year occurrence and my current dark gray Mustang Mach 1 black leather seats are a nightmare to drive around in (likely switching to a lighter color 4runner with the tan leather will be a HUGE step up from my current vehicles leather anyways).

Thanks any advice on this is much appreciated!

 

[BlazeRunner]

I also live in the Phx area and know how it can be with the heat. I just sold my 98 LS400 that was black with black leather, and now have my 97 limited 4runner black with tan interior and just changing colors of interior really makes a difference in seat temps... as well as interior temps too, my Lexus had all black dash, panels, etc and got really hot really fast if sitting outside.. and as far as perforations go, no, at least on my 97 it doesn't seem like very 'breathable' leather, but compared to my other lexus LS400 that is a 95 black with tan leather it has held up rather well. I don't know if improvements were made with later years in types or quality of leathers on the 3rd gen 4runners, but I do know the shape of SR5 vs limited seats differs. My buddy has a white 97 SR5 with light tan cloth seats (SR5 were available in leather) and his truck stays pretty cool and seats are never too hot unless A/C is off and windows down in the summer - but nothing like the hot stickiness I encounter with my limited seats.

 

[Hob]

Thanks for your insight Blaze! Sounds to me like if you could do it again you'd go with the cloth seats from either the SR5 or Sport in our climate?

 

[KidVermicious]

I do know the shape of SR5 vs limited seats differs.

More details on this? The seats in my wife's truck (I assume they're sport?) are lousy, I get a nasty backache if I try and drive that thing for longer than an hour. If the Limited seats are better, I'll start looking for a swap.

 

[4yotaguy]

More details on this? The seats in my wife's truck (I assume they're sport?) are lousy, I get a nasty backache if I try and drive that thing for longer than an hour. If the Limited seats are better, I'll start looking for a swap.

I have back problems too and for some reason, Toyota/Lexus products/seats, really bring out the severe pain for me. For me, it has to do with the adjustability and the general driving position of certain models. If it were a "suspension" issue it would be like non-adjustable castor causing back pain.

I have tried both seats, neither worked for me. Went to Corbeau and tried the GTII that was awesome, but too aggressive, then the Moab (too cheap and although the base was perfect, the back support was horrific), then the best one so far, the Baja.

I cant explain it, but its like the angle of your hips to your back/torso is better, making driving the 4runner much better for me. Originally I thought the Limited seats would be awesome, my first test drive was fine, but then it became a nightmare. I'm still not perfect in it, but the Baja is the best fit I have had so far.

I ordered them from racingseatsusa.com and the best par tis they make a bolt in seat mount- can't beat it, no fabbing or other crap needed.

 

[Millerad1651]

I have cloth seats in my SR5 and my wife has leather in her Limited. We took mine on a 2200 mile round trip to Florida and back, and neither of us had any problems.

I like my cloth a lot better than her leather. They seem "hard" and get really hot in the summer (she has tan leather).

We are starting to look for a new 4Runner for her, and she said the only two things she has to have are tinted windows and cloth seats.

 

[Nunyabiz]

The Sport Cloth seats are WAY better than any leather.
More comfortable, cooler in summer, warmer in winter, no sliding around offroad and they will last longer and look better.

 

[the great him]

there is a difference between SR5 cloth seats and the sport cloth seats... if you dont have a sport edition 4runner or have never ridden in one you wont know what im talking about. a guy in my old unit had a sport and his seats were so nice, i wanted to steal his seats. the stitching is different the cut of the seat is different. they are all around a better seat imo -yes limited seats are nice as well, but not as nice as sport seats

SR5<Limited<Sport


fyi the SR5 seats are no different than base seats

 

[KidVermicious]

In a '99 Highlander, am I likely to have the Sport seats or SR5 seats? I'll snap a pic when I think of it later, bu they're grey cloth with lumbar and wing adjustments.

 

[the great him]

well you dont have sport seats, the sport edition 4runners didnt come out till 2001 and 2002, so i think you have a modified(from toyota) highlander seat based off of the SR5, -i have never looked too closly at the highlanders, i only personally know one person who owns one and thats awilson, and i have only ridden in his runner once... i was paying more attention to the SC honestly than the seats. but im pretty sure the sport seats are different.

compare you seats to another SR5, i bet they will look almost identical. limited and SR5 seats look very similar. the cut and stitching in a sport seat is totaly different -highlander seats also came in cloth or leather, i think sport seats are only cloth

 

[BlazeRunner]

Thanks for your insight Blaze! Sounds to me like if you could do it again you'd go with the cloth seats from either the SR5 or Sport in our climate?

I've honestly considered changing them. I knew I was getting leather because I wanted a limited, and plus coming from all black interior was a nice change regardless. Maybe in time when I get sick of these or wear them out I'll go to cloth or maybe some nice microfiber or cloth aftermarket seats, because from what I've seen factory seats can be pricey and why not get what I really want when upgrading?.. So to sum it up, yes.. the leather kinda sucks but I just deal with it for now. The only advantage I see is easy cleanup over cloth, but cloth can be shampooed... so yeah, I would try for cloth here in the oven temps

 

[Hepar]

The sport cloth interior is one of the reasons I sought out a sport model. As far as the seat itself, I think they are built on the same platform as the rest, but I could be wrong.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I have leather and love it. Any heat worries I've had over the years have been mitigated by tinted windows + sun reflector + slightly cracking the two rear door windows.

My drivers seat is a bit worn and I'm going to replace the cushion soon but that can be expected on ANY seat 15+ years old with 200K+ miles of sit time.

 

[Hob]

Thanks for all your guys input! Confirmed my beliefs of what I want.

Ultimately in my search for a CLEAN 3rd gen, it will be decided on maintenance history, condition, and mileage of the 4runner rather not the specific trim so I'm not sure how picky I'm able to be with these vehicles becoming this old. Surely willing to pay for a decent condition Sport (and likely a limited as well) so I'll have to see if I have to travel around the SW states to get what I want.

 

[Nunyabiz]

This is what the Sport Cloth looks like.
Seats are about 12 years old and still look like new.
12 year old leather usually looks like about 12 year old leather.

 

[Hob]

Seats look amazing after 12 years! I would love to find a 01/02 Sport 4Runner, that's exactly what I'm looking for!

 

[zacattack20]

Yeah these are what some 15 year old leather seats look like. Picked these pieces of crap up for real cheap just for the electric option then swapping my seat cushions on. I don't think I've ever seen cloth seats get that tore up. And the good leather on the top is all hard and stiff.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/F6F73FFF-D564-4C7B-8F77-48C6D412E09B-18337-0000095E794B57A4_zpsf5130e8d.jpg" width="1000">

 

[Dobe99]

Good info! Curious, where would one find sport seats aftermarket for a regular SR5 '99 and are the sport seats adjustable up and down in the back and front?

Thanks


-Javi

 

[Hepar]

Good info! Curious, where would one find sport seats aftermarket for a regular SR5 '99 and are the sport seats adjustable up and down in the back and front?

Thanks


-Javi

Not sure what you're asking exactly. Are you asking if they have the electronic adjustments like the Limited's? If so, no. They are all hand-adjustable seats. They do have (at least mine do) seat height and lumbar adjustments.

 

[Dobe99]

Not sure what you're asking exactly. Are you asking if they have the electronic adjustments like the Limited's? If so, no. They are all hand-adjustable seats. They do have (at least mine do) seat height and lumbar adjustments.

Yeah you pretty much answered my question. See I have regular SR5 and cannot adjust seat hight. It does have lumbar adjustment though and seat bottom tilt adjustment. But Im 6' 3" so being able to Lower the seat so my head doesnt touch the ceiling would be great (I barily touch if I sit up very straight or hit a bump). I dont care for electric controls but up down ability with manuel adjustment would be wonderful.

Perhaps I should find and test drive a sport model to be sure it is the seat I need for my runner. The only other question I have is would Toyota be the only place to get this seat aftermarket or maybe a vehicle graveyard? I saw nothing on ebay. Perhaps someone here knows of a good source..

Thanks