Seat Issues

fran35

New member
Question:
Yesterday, bought a 2014 T4R SR5 with power driver seat/manual passenger seats. Love the vehicle. However, Because of the test drive process with two kids, my wife and I test drove the vehicle separately. As the driver, being 6'6 250, the power seat allowed me to lower the seat and articulation to make it comfortable. Unfortunately, my test drive process consisted of me driving in this corrected position. Anyways, bottom line: I didn't really spend much time in the passenger seat. I have about 200 miles on the vehicle and HATE the passenger seat. I find myself too high and the seat horribly uncomfortable. I feel extremely stupid for not doing my driving as the passenger, so pls don't beat me up too bad about that part-i am doing it to myself. In any case, what are my solutions? Should I just suck it up and hope the seats break in and I get used to it? With this being the second day with the vehicle, would it be possible for the dealer to swap an adjustable seat in its place(extra$$$ of course). Is this possible? Bottom line, I love the vehicle. I feel foolish, but having a 4 tr old and 2 yr old in the showroom kind of made me rush. I guess the consolation is that I got a great deal at around 31500K for a 4WD SR5.

Thanks
 
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yeah i have the same problem with my 13' sr5. Albeit i am a bit lighter than you....:shocked:..at 220lb, i am 6'6" as well. it is a constant challenge what i am in the passenger seat to where to set the seat to. i am interested if any big person has solved this dilemma.
 
I wish I could tell you there's an easy solution to your problem, but I don't know of one. At 6'1, I just have enough head room in the driver's seat, but have absolutely none in the passenger side where my head hits the roof.

This likely won't apply in your case, and it would probably be too late even if it did, but out here you have three days to return a vehicle and cancel your contract with a dealership. (I am reasonably certain of this though I've never done it.) At least you could check on it in PA.

Barring any chance of returning the vehicle, I would try to work something out with the dealer for a swap into another vehicle. They might be nice enough and it's worth a shot. If they do work with you you'll likely take a (hopefully small) hit on the 4runner. Go directly to the GM, not your salesman on this.

Good luck. I also think you got a good deal, so if you have to sell it yourself you might be able to recoup most of your investment. Just be honest, tell people exactly what the problem is, that the car only has a couple hundred miles on it and is brand new with full warranty. Knock off $500, expect to haggle, and get the word out everywhere, to everyone you know.
 
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I'm in a better position, since I'm almost never a passenger in my 4Runners (the wife makes me drive her around)--buuuut I think that a 4 way power seat is a cheap-ass solution and the manufacturer should spend an extra few bucks and put in one that can be raised or lowered.
 
Good luck but remember that Toyota puts no extra wiring for options, so it would have to be re wired. You can't take another driver's seat out and put it in on the passenger's side. Controls would be on wrong side. I think your only choice is aftermarket and those are not cheap. Again, good luck and if anything you have learned a valuable and expensive lesson. When my children were little we got a sitter when doing anything important like buying a vehicle.
 
I wish I could tell you there's an easy solution to your problem, but I don't know of one. At 6'1, I just have enough head room in the driver's seat, but have absolutely none in the passenger side where my head hits the roof.

This likely won't apply in your case, and it would probably be too late even if it did, but out here you have three days to return a vehicle and cancel your contract with a dealership. (I am reasonably certain of this though I've never done it.) At least you could check on it in PA.

Barring any chance of returning the vehicle, I would try to work something out with the dealer for a swap into another vehicle. They might be nice enough and it's worth a shot. If they do work with you you'll likely take a (hopefully small) hit on the 4runner. Go directly to the GM, not your salesman on this.

Good luck. I also think you got a good deal, so if you have to sell it yourself you might be able to recoup most of your investment. Just be honest, tell people exactly what the problem is, that the car only has a couple hundred miles on it and is brand new with full warranty. Knock off $500, expect to haggle, and get the word out everywhere, to everyone you know.

Thanks for the responses. Checked with the dealer, no cooling off period and I would take a beating trading it. I am exploring used seats through salvaged 4Runners. I think I have located a 2012 powered passenger seat. I am thinking it would match due to the 5th Gen and it being black, but wanted others opinions as to the fit. Thanks. Any ideas at all are welcomed at this point. I love the vehicle and want to make this work but my neck/upper back are dying. Maybe this is like a new mattress and my body will adjust??? Fingers crossed on this one
 
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^On my 11 trail the powered passenger seat is only 4 way adjustable so keep that in mind. There is no height or lower cushion angle adjustment. Just forward and back and tilt for the seat back.

Also, like someone else mentioned there will most likely not be wiring run if your vehicle didn't come with a power seat from the factory so you would have to run wiring as well.
 
Yep, same on my '11 TE; the passenger seat only moves forward/back and recline adjustment.

Easiest solution: Drive
 
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Easiest solution: Drive
Sadly, yes. :D

I'm only 6' and my head hits the sunroof on the passenger side. My 6'5" friend has to engage full ghetto lean to fit in the passenger seat. His 1st gen 4Runner has more headroom! I've been in a decent number of vehicles, and the 5th Gen 4Runner is the only one where I've had headroom issues in the front seat. Weird.

It sucks the Limited isn't offered sans sunroof, because I fit without it. However, my wife agreed to let me drive for road trips, else we were going to get a Highlander. Crisis averted!
 
2016 4runner, highlander, and RAV4

i'm 6'0 (technically 5'11" and 3/4) ... sat in the passenger front of the 2016 4runner limited, highlander xle, and RAV4 limited. all had height issues ... the RAV4 oddly had the MOST clearance ... i was shocked ...

sat in the back of the 4runner ... TERRIBLE ... it must be meant for school kids ... yes it sits up high, but the headroom clearance is just not sufficient ...

i'll wait for the 2017 4runner launch in december (31st) to see if they've identified and/or addressed these issues.

sad news ... my alternative is a 2013 jeep grand cherokee overland (used) ... at least it has the flipper glass, but i really wanted a power rear tailgate glass ...

no sale toyota!
 

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