Uncomfortable Seats

I have a Fox2.5 level on the front - so 1-1.5 inches. It didn't help me but it might others. It makes what you see slightly different, but it doesn't change the way the seat is angled to the floor, which is the problem.

 

I’ve heard than an inch can be the difference in regular and heroic. At least that’s what she said.

 

If you don’t want to help the conversation why chime in? Your not funny. Are you that lonely and miserable?

 

Not sure if you meant this for me, but I intended no insult, slight, or mockery from my post.

I just wanted to add an alternate way to changes seat angles besides the seat spacers already discussed. The Cornfed (brand) suspension spacers that sell for less (IIRC) than the seat spacers can be an option. By lifting the front end of the vehicle 1inch, it not only makes the 4runner look better, but it “sits you back in your seat” a bit more. That might be enough for some people to affect comfort. So I thought I’d mention it. But as mentioned after I posted, it does nothing to change the relative angles of the seat to the floor, which is the source of some people’s discomfort.

In regards to your questions, yes sometimes I’m miserable, but it comes and goes. Lonely? Not really, I enjoy solitude more and more as I get older….but I do enjoy some of the banter that these forums can provide!

 

I bought a cheap car seat pad for my back. I use it on long trips. My wife calls it my "old man seat". Just tuck it between my back and the seat back and i'm ok. I feel that there is not eneough stuffing inside the seats?
(there are also airbags stuffed in the seats, which probably limits the space to put stuffing into.

 

I have a 2017 Toyota 4 Runner TRD Off Road and the seats are killing me! They are so hard and narrow. I just took a 6 hour drive and the last 2 hours, my lower back hurt so bad! I saw the responses about seat jackers, but am not familiar with them and can't understand how they would help. I am 5' 6" with short legs so leg room isn't an issue. Does anyone know if there are aftermarket seats so I could change them?

 

I think this is an issue that is tough to get any good/usable feedback on because it is just so subjective. I drove a 2010 Tacoma TRD Sport 4WD as my daily driver for 12.5 years. Similar to OP - seats were fine for trips up to about 2-3 hours - but beyond that it was uncomfortable - doable, but uncomfortable. Thankfully, I didn't drive it long distances very often - maybe 1 trip a year of 8 hours, or more, driving. Maybe another couple of trips per year slightly over 2-3 hours. I just dealt with it. When I replaced it with the 2023 Limited 4WD that is my daily driver now - I assumed the seat comfort would be similar. Nope, the seats in this 2023 Limited are probably the most comfortable seats of any vehicle I have ever owned - go figure. Maybe I just got lucky and adjusted the seat correctly. It's funny because I have not adjusted the seat since I first adjusted it when I test drove the vehicle the day I purchased it. I'm glad this vehicle has seat adjustment memory - one for me, one for my wife (she is short and definitely has to adjust the seat when she drives it) - one press of a button and it goes back to exactly where I like it. That is probably not that big of a deal - I doubt that the range of seat settings that I would find comfortable is super narrow. I think with the power seat adjustments in this 4Runner I was able to raise the seat higher - so I sit higher off the floor of the vehicle than I did in the Tacoma.

 

For some reason, That I am not aware of, My 22 limited seats do feel slightly different than the Softex in my 21 premium.

I did wonder of the seat bottom/back foam may be different between Softex and leather but have yet to check on the part numbers between the two.

 

Must be individual body type. I am 6'00 250lbs and just drove 7hrs in the 4runner ORP. My other car is a Highlander Limited. I found both to be comfortable, but the Highlander wins because the front of the seat extends. I have no idea what they call it but it adds a little length that supports the back of my legs above my knees. I always run heated seats with A/C due to chronic lower back pain.

Both were fine but prefer the Highlander on the highway.

****update*****

I just did 11 hours and my right hip is killing me, even had trouble falling asleep after the drive. I think 8 hours might be my new 4Runner limit, no problem going 12hrs in the highlander limited.

 

Your point is?

 

I’d love to know if anyone found a…reverse seat jacker type hack for the passenger seat. I’m 6’3” and am fine in drivers seat with it lowered all the way (even though I still only have a quarter inch of headroom when wearing a cap). I won’t lean back any further as I don’t find it comfortable and it’s already tight back there if my daughters are with me. But on rare occasion if I have my wife driving and I’m on passenger seat, it’s noticeably higher and can’t lower like driver’s seat.

So really I suppose my question is whether any of you have found an aftermarket seat that might get me some passenger head room. I have a ‘23 TRD ORP, which has the darn sunroof/headroom reducer.

 

I'm 6' 240lbs on a good day. I've drove 12.5 hours straight from Galveston, TX to KC, 12 hours straight and from Gatlinburg TN, to KC.....I never had issues getting comfy.

 

Agreed. We found that the seats in the various trim levels felt different. Granted, the evaluation was unscientific, but we went through a few rounds of comparisons and there was some repeatability. In the end we decided the differences where not enough to push a particular model into the front spot. Now the GX460 seats are noticeably different (more comfy). And to cover the jacker (spacer) topic, I wouldn't be comfortable w/ only the front OR rear supports being lifted, as the opposite end (unlifted) would not longer have a parallel mating condition.

 

I just bought a 2023 ORP so I could sell my 2015 TP to my daughter in Denver and both myself and my wife think that the seats in the new 4Runner are a little firmer than the 2015 and we both find these new seats to be extremely comfortable and even better than the 2015 seats I'm 6'1" 200 lbs. and she's 5'4" 110 lbs. - YRMV

 

+1 for the seats being uncomfortable, just did 6 hours and I was trying to adjust the seat every few minutes to try to get it to feel right. My highlander is way more comfortable and my rav4 is not as comfy as the highlander. T4r is least comfy. I will be looking at the wildly overpriced seat jackers. Picked up the truck yesterday and having quite a bit of remorse. I studied the truck for months before pulling the trigger and did not expect the lack of engine power , uncomfortable seats, tapping noise (mud guard clips apparently), and mine pulls to the right pretty bad. Will have to get these address or it’s getting sold within the year. Makes me not want to sell my old highlander.

 

You didn’t know about the “lack of engine power”? That is one of, if not the biggest complaint.

 

I did know but didn’t think it would be as bad as it is. My highlander is a v6 and I expected it to the similar but it’s not. The highlander is much more paired with the car in my opinion

 

Nice to know. So it was a flat spot on the tire or care to explain? What do you mean by it was a Toyota repair manual, it was in the Manual to do this ? And the tapping occurs seemingly inside the dash passenger side whenever going over bumps.

also for the motor, I’ve had a 3rd gen and 4th gen t4r and I expected this 5th gen to be similar but in my opinion it’s not. The truck must have gotten heavier as it’s borderline unacceptable to me driving it so far. Miss my 4th gen v6 I felt it was much better paired with the truck and the transmission seemed to work much smoother. I find the 5th gen struggles sometimes to find the right gear esp on cruise control.
In hindsight I should have done searches for “biggest complaints for 5th gen”

 

Welcome to the forum Catchacold. Speaking for myself, the seat jackers fixed the seat discomfort issue. I also installed a Pedal Commander and RAV-4 mirrors with the blind spot inserts. All three were game changers for me.

 

Cool thank you, I am considering the seat jackers although I’m avg male height, for the pedal commander, does it void any warranty?

 

The seat jackers make the seats more comfortable no matter your height. It’s an adjustment of the front of the seat upward. Hard to describe but I was very pleased. I came from an F150 and was spoiled.
I can’t speak to a warranty issue with the PC, but it’s a 10 minute plug and play install and about that to remove it if you needed to take it to the dealer for warranty work. I’m at 55k and have never been back to the dealer for anything.

 

I think my main issue is that the seats are not deep enough. They don't give much support under the knees. A six hour drive last weekend was...a bit uncomfortable by the end. Took me a minute to walk right. Most apparent under my right knee area. Played with the controls and could never really seem to "get it right". So far it's my biggest complaint. And I'm a short (5'6") guy.

ETA: For everyday driving it's fine. I don't do long trips that often.

 

That’s exactly how they were for me and exactly what the seat jackers fixed for me. Easy install and worth every penny to me.

 

Thanks I will try them out !

 

Not sure what you mean by totally uninitiated and no problem not going into details as I’m just seeking information. I’ve had 3 runners and haven’t read every single post on the internet so no need to be snarky like you know everything buddy

 

No problem. I will let the dealer handle it. I am about 800 miles away from where I bought it but they said any Toyota dealer can perform the maintenance or repair

 

Has anyone found a good seat cover, or anything to improve the seat comfort? I can assure you that I don't need to raise the front of the seat. I can already adjust it higher than my knees want to be.

I had originally thought it could be a matter if breaking the seats in. But, after 108000 miles and almost 5 years, I'm sure they're broken in by now.

 

I did the seat jackers and yeah the seats higher but still very uncomfortable to the point I’m gonna have to part with the truck. I guess I could pay a $1000 for limited seats and swap but i don’t know. I wish I just went with the gx and was done but nooo had to stay loyal

 

Everyone is different. Most think the Tacoma seats are even worse. I like 4runner seats. Drove 22 hours in them just fine

 

Can you comment on is one is more comfortable? I’m having a very hard time in my new runner and will have to do something about the seat comfort. It’s probably my #1 complaint. So much so I am considering anything at this point. Already got seat jackers and it’s ok but doesn’t solve my issue of total seat discomfort. I am kicking my self wishing I went with the gx right now but may try to swap seats from a salvaged limited