SEATS...Im not a fan, I want to replace them

[Kistle]

It's realistic for ONE seat.

Remember that the economy of scale for Toyota allows them to make seats for a lot lower a cost than that of companies like Scheel Mann.

If (I say If because nothing is set in stone) or when the seats are released you can scale your costs based on the features, bolsters, materials, etc. And they can run the gamut of okay price wise to very expensive.

I will caution people, right now the Scheel Manns are manually adjusted seats. I know they're working on power adjustments, but these won't be super motorized. However they will be considering more comfortable. I've sat in them before and they're fantastic.

I would be VERY interested in being a part of this, LD. In fact, I would probably buy one of those SM Vario F XXL seats tomorrow if they would bolt in the 5th Gen 4Runner. That is pretty much EXACTLY what I would want, and wouldn't hesitate for a minute dropping $2K per seat on those.

Please keep us posted, LD. Maybe a new thread?

Thanks!! (Trying to not get my hopes up)!

JA

 

[LawnDart]

I would be VERY interested in being a part of this, LD. In fact, I would probably buy one of those SM Vario F XXL seats tomorrow if they would bolt in the 5th Gen 4Runner. That is pretty much EXACTLY what I would want, and wouldn't hesitate for a minute dropping $2K per seat on those.

Please keep us posted, LD. Maybe a new thread?

Thanks!! (Trying to not get my hopes up)!

JA

I think it’s best right now not to make a new thread. When there’s some news to report I’ll make a post.

 

[Mutant138]

The seats themselves are not bad, or good, it is what it is. Not particularly comfortable from my current truck (Z71 Silverado with leather captains seats)

What killed it for me was no memory seats, no power seats, in the Limited trim. Its all manual which blew my mind.

I don't even think you can get leather seats? Maybe I am mistaken.

I found the max height of the steering column to be very limiting, making it increasing more difficult and uncomfortable when entering / exiting.

I really wanted to like the truck, but I passed on it because it just wasn't there. Compared to a 4Runner, the interior trim and quality was night and day which is how I ended up with a 5th Gen Limited. The Limited seats are quite nice.

I have no problem with manual seats. Keeps the weight down. I'm also the sole driver of my truck (No touchies!). I live in AZ so cloth is ideal for our extreme heat.

Tacoma seats look better and have better bolstering (also that black headliner is siiick amirite?). But are definitely harder and lack luxury options.

4runner seats are more comfortable but leaves much to be desired still.

I don't have much of a frame of reference when it comes to comfortable seats. My 4runner is the nicest thing I have ever owned apart from that tacoma (I only traded because it didn't have 4x4 and it's more costly to setup a pickup for what I want).

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[DZNUTS]

Determining how to secure the seats to the truck really should be all that hard. Either bolt them straight to the floor or someone needs to weld up a seat bracket and bolt a pair of sliders on.

In my old s13 coupe, we bolted the Status carbon kevlar fixed bucket seats straight to the floor. Not really that big of a deal. My wife used a pair of Recaro seat brackets and sliders to bolt her Speed seats in her coupe.


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[LawnDart]

Determining how to secure the seats to the truck really should be all that hard. Either bolt them straight to the floor or someone needs to weld up a seat bracket and bolt a pair of sliders on.

In my old s13 coupe, we bolted the Status carbon kevlar fixed bucket seats straight to the floor. Not really that big of a deal. My wife used a pair of Recaro seat brackets and sliders to bolt her Speed seats in her coupe.


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Any company that offers seats for a vehicle not designed originally for those seats carries a liability if the seats fail. So they have to be careful about how they’re built. Full stop.

 

[Mutant138]

Determining how to secure the seats to the truck really should be all that hard. Either bolt them straight to the floor or someone needs to weld up a seat bracket and bolt a pair of sliders on.

In my old s13 coupe, we bolted the Status carbon kevlar fixed bucket seats straight to the floor. Not really that big of a deal. My wife used a pair of Recaro seat brackets and sliders to bolt her Speed seats in her coupe.


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I follow your line of thinking my man. I come from drifting myself. S13 s14 e30 frs bla bla bla. But I think what is being discused is having a company make a bolt in option. Bolt and mass production will hold liability.

Your s13 definitely did not have sophisticated safety systems in it. It's a different game with new vehicles (correct me if I'm wrong anyone).

But hey I know if I ever blow the motor/trans on this truck ls swap and standalone harness shall happen (if I have the means). Then who knows maybe I'll throw in an air suspension seat myself. Bracket wouldn't even take a day to fab.





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[eHaze]

ventilated seats would go a long way.

 

[1jzgte]

not the best solution but it works

 

[e60ral]

It's realistic for ONE seat.

Remember that the economy of scale for Toyota allows them to make seats for a lot lower a cost than that of companies like Scheel Mann.

If (I say If because nothing is set in stone) or when the seats are released you can scale your costs based on the features, bolsters, materials, etc. And they can run the gamut of okay price wise to very expensive.

I will caution people, right now the Scheel Manns are manually adjusted seats. I know they're working on power adjustments, but these won't be super motorized. However they will be considering more comfortable. I've sat in them before and they're fantastic.

i only sit in one seat

 

[T4 Leaf]

My hubby complains endlessly about the 4R seats. He now sits on a pillow for every trip. I tell him he's a baby.... but they do suck, especially for long travel days.

Your hubby and you are right...he's a baby and they suck... I had the covers taken off mine and had them "straightened up" like a normal seat... $150.00 at an upholstery shop. Check out the curvature on this OEM seat prior to filling it in....

 

[T4 Leaf]

I should also mention too....that the pillow folks sit on (in my case) helped because it raises your thighs higher than your knees...which is an issue with the T4R and Tacoma...they both force you to sit in holes. This combined with the curved seat is/was a bad combo for tall lanky folks like me. Raising the seat as high as possible combined with the curvature fill-in fixed the issue for me.

 

[Tim P]

Go sit in a Tacoma for 20 minutes.....and you will be begging for the 4runner seats back!

That's exactly why I traded my '16 Tacoma for my '14 TE T4R. The Tacoma seats produced sciatic pain that I've not experienced again since buying my 4Runner.

 

[rkwfxd]

These seats are wonderful. But I am comparing them to the concrete park bench factory seat that was in my 2006 Tundra.

Seats are very subjective. I am lucky these fit me so well. My wife likes them too.

 

["krax"]

Your hubby and you are right...he's a baby and they suck... I had the covers taken off mine and had them "straightened up" like a normal seat... $150.00 at an upholstery shop. Check out the curvature on this OEM seat prior to filling it in....

Seems like that's a pretty cost effective way to make some changes. Actually, I'm surprised that's not more common. You have to take the upholstery off to upgrade to leather seats, maybe Katzkin (I always read it as "cat skin") could offer a package that changes the shape and density of the foam along with the cover upholstery.

 

[sinks88]

There’s some current issues regarding airbags, the seat position sensor, and electrical harness that have to be overcome. The airbags and sensor are absolutely critical otherwise you give up safety for comfort.

I’m working with a German seat company right now on a potential front seat swap. It won’t be cheap. But it’ll be a lot better.

Is it just the side airbags in the bolsters...or is there more hidden bags? Is there one to protect your Jewels?

 

[DZNUTS]

Any company that offers seats for a vehicle not designed originally for those seats carries a liability if the seats fail. So they have to be careful about how they’re built. Full stop.

Yes I’m aware of the liability aspect of this endeavor. However, any major seat manufacturer should already be setup to negate any potential liability.

Recaro for example makes OE seats for plenty of manufacturers and has for years. I imagine it wouldn’t be hard for them to offer an aftermarket bolt in seat with the same safety aspects as an OE seat. They just need enough buyers to make it worth their while.


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[LawnDart]

Till there’s actually more to talk about I’d rather not conjecture.

Just allow us the time to see if this project will go forward. Thanks guys.

 

[Mutant138]

Your hubby and you are right...he's a baby and they suck... I had the covers taken off mine and had them "straightened up" like a normal seat... $150.00 at an upholstery shop. Check out the curvature on this OEM seat prior to filling it in....

Care to explain this more? What kind of change is a "straighten up"?

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[mtnbiker49]

Your hubby and you are right...he's a baby and they suck... I had the covers taken off mine and had them "straightened up" like a normal seat... $150.00 at an upholstery shop. Check out the curvature on this OEM seat prior to filling it in....

Was that pic with the mod done?

 

[T4 Leaf]

Was that pic with the mod done?

Yeah...sorry guys was up in RMNP for a week...it was killer

That pink foam is the finished mod...basically he removed the "curvature" and built it up from the lumbar to the headrest... in effect giving the seat a more 90 degree angle up from the base. He too was confused by the design and kinda did that (the build-up) from his own experience with seats.