Seats are KILLING my back/ribs. Am I alone?

[Nate_Drives_Cars]

I am a young (er) guy 6' 175lbs... no real injuries or pain to note. The side bolsters in my 2018 SR5 push my left rib in a way that is darn near unbearable, trips longer than 20 minutes are miserable. My 2021 pro has a similar effect and I am wondering if I am the only one... and if not, what did you do to help? I am going to buy Recaro's or some other high end aftermarket seat if I cant figure out these seats. Just reaching out to the forum to see if I am crazy or if these seats are truly murdering my ribs :shrug:

 

[CajunMikeR]

I'm an older(ish) guy, 6'2", 225lbs, beat to piss body from long years of abuse both in & out of the military, had back surgery already, knee surgery probably soon enough. The seats are actually fairly comfortable to me.

Perhaps it's the way you sit or the way you have the seats adjusted? Because of my previous injuries & surgeries, I have to sit fairly straight in the seat with a moderate amount of lumbar support. I'm bottomed out on height, run back about 3/4 of the way, front of seat tilted up to relieve stress on the knees, seat back fairly straight up (only slightly reclined). In that seating position, I'm comfortable for hours on end (as long as I don't have my wallet in my back pocket).

 

[Nate_Drives_Cars]

I'm an older(ish) guy, 6'2", 225lbs, beat to piss body from long years of abuse both in & out of the military, had back surgery already, knee surgery probably soon enough. The seats are actually fairly comfortable to me.

Perhaps it's the way you sit or the way you have the seats adjusted? Because of my previous injuries & surgeries, I have to sit fairly straight in the seat with a moderate amount of lumbar support. I'm bottomed out on height, run back about 3/4 of the way, front of seat tilted up to relieve stress on the knees, seat back fairly straight up (only slightly reclined). In that seating position, I'm comfortable for hours on end (as long as I don't have my wallet in my back pocket).

Hmm good to know, I have played around with seating position to no avail. Ill keep trying.

 

[Charlievee]

Side bolster pushes my carry into my hip a bit, but i can tweak it a with no issues. Are you a "gangster lean" kind of driver? I can see the side bolster being a PITA for that.

 

[chester4Run]

Play with the telescoping steering column too. Steering wheel location changes how you sit and hold your shoulders. I hated my Sienna’s seats until I thought to tinker with that.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

6’1, 280 (just fat with long torso) [emoji23] Limited seats are the key… never used SR5 or TRD seats for any length of time but they did feel different when test driving.


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[williamson36]

Seats are pretty bad compared to other cars I have owned. The test for me is butt numbness after a few hours. Best seats I have had were a Honda Pilot - I could drive 13 hours straight with no pain. I start to feel pain in the 4-runner after 4 hours, hard to drive more than 8 hours in a day.

 

[BlakeA]

Seats are pretty bad compared to other cars I have owned. The test for me is butt numbness after a few hours. Best seats I have had were a Honda Pilot - I could drive 13 hours straight with no pain. I start to feel pain in the 4-runner after 4 hours, hard to drive more than 8 hours in a day.

I don’t find the 4runner seats particularly comfortable, especially on long road trips. In my experience (years ago, admittedly), Volvo has some of the best seats, and if I did a lot of cross country driving, it would be in a Volvo. (If their seats are still as comfortable as they were years ago).
I find the 4runner’s “lumbar support” hits me ABOVE the lumbar region, so doesn’t do me much good

 

[The4RunnerDude]

I find my TRD ORP 4Runner to be pretty comfortable, even on longer drives. Probably just a personal preference thing, but the only other SUV/Truck that I've found was more comfortable was a Sequoia Limited model. Those things are super comfy, especially with multiple passengers. You can really stretch out no matter where you sitting in a Sequoia.

 

[Forgetful]

5'11 190ish. No problems with multiple 8-9 hour road trips with just a stop for gas/pee

 

[hallcs]

Wallet in back pocket?

I took my wallet out of my back pocket 20 years ago. Best driving decision I ever made, I carry it in my front left. Had a friend that was complaining that driving more then an hour was killing him. Hip and leg pain were unbearable. I asked him to pull his wallet out, the thing was 3 to 4 inches thick, I kid you not. I asked if he understood lifting one hip that high was causing the problem. He has been fine ever since. Maybe not an issue for you but hey, it's a thought.

My 2021 venture with lumbar support and softex seats is ok, not the best but not the worst. Silverado and Outback were the most comfortable seats for me.

 

[emmantik]

I hear these help...

FRONT SEAT JACKERS(R) (2003-2021 4RUNNERS, GX, AND FJ)
– Desert Does It

 

[1jzgte]

SR5 cloth seats.. yes early on my leg used to go numb.. these seats do suck but somehow my body has accepted them

 

[rakrak2]

... My 2021 pro has a similar effect ...

Nate_Drives_Cars,

I am shopping for a 4Runner and have not been able to sit in one yet - I this the 'Softex' seats?

 

[John in NC]

Same way here about 175 but close to 6'2". Yes mess with the steering column adjustments.
Power seats are key. They may all be power seats standard I don't know.
I have my seat laid-back and slid back pretty far. The wife and kids make fun of me saying I drive with the gangster lean but that's comfortable for me.
I have the front of my seat bottom raised and the back of the seat bottom lowered..
I wonder if those gel aftermarket seat liner cushion things would help?

 

[osugsxr]

I am a young (er) guy 6' 175lbs... no real injuries or pain to note. The side bolsters in my 2018 SR5 push my left rib in a way that is darn near unbearable, trips longer than 20 minutes are miserable. My 2021 pro has a similar effect and I am wondering if I am the only one... and if not, what did you do to help? I am going to buy Recaro's or some other high end aftermarket seat if I cant figure out these seats. Just reaching out to the forum to see if I am crazy or if these seats are truly murdering my ribs :shrug:

no issues for me at 5'9" 185 . Only time I felt uncomfortable was during a 17 hour drive, but stopped for a jog at a park to help. There is a seat riser that has some good reviews but I havent bought them.

 

[Mudhorn]

Desert Does It seat jackers helped me a lot. They do have you sit higher, so it might not work for taller people. There is a long thread review somewhere on here.

 

[Nate_Drives_Cars]

Seat Jackers

The seat Jackers are an interesting idea. My issue is the left side bolster. It hits me in my lower back and ribs... It makes for a VERY uncomfortable ride. I think I will need to swap seats, I have driven and owned many vehicles. I have never had this issue, even with performance and race seats.

 

[AgentKooper]

I’m 6’3”, 195 lbs., middle-aged. My seats (2021 Pro) are fine.


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[angrynewyorker]

This is my 4th 4Runner 5th gen, and yes the seats are pretty crappy. All mine have had the Softex seats (14 Trail premium, and 3 Pros- never had a limited or cloth seats), and anything over 2 hours starts to suck. I find the seats in the Jeep Wrangler to be way more comfortable. I’ve done 13 hours in a Wrangler with no issue, but just did 11 1/2 hours a couple of weeks ago and was miserable. I’m 6 foot and 180 lbs and just find the seats too hard on long trips. Another thing that bothers me in the 4Runner is the arm rest on the door is lower than the center console and bothers my shoulder, so I have to put memory foam pad on the arm rest for long trips. But I still like the vehicle so I suffer.