Replacement Seats - Not a Simple ??

Two-Socks · 05-18-08, 09:37 AM

Hello,
Am very new to board, so forgive me if this is a repeat.
I used to have a LR Defender - Seat was perfect. I have a Sequoia, Limited-Seat is perfect. However, I have a bad back and neck and the seats in an SR5 4runner are pure pain, and most importantly...

I test drove an FJ yesterday. One hour total time... and pure pain ( I still hurt) Have long legs and the seat didn't support the bottom of my thighs well. Have a semi-curved spine and the top back of the seat was flat and stiff...didn't conform to my back. I wanted to rip out the padding in the top half of the seat back. No bolsters so I felt stress on high speed highway turns.

So, anyone have any ideas? I need to test-sit options before it even makes sense to buy the truck. I live in Denver Colorado. Would have bought the truck yesterday if it wasn't for the seats.

Please Help!!!

tddfj · 05-18-08, 01:41 PM

have you looked at summit,jcwhitney,or even tried a conversion company that may deal with people that have a physical problem. my wife is handicap there are all kinds of things they can replace in a vehical to help you. there is even a program where the dealer will cover up to 1000 dollars of the cost of putting these in. i forget what it is called but if needed they will help you out.

NoHandleBars · 05-18-08, 02:12 PM

A few members have put harness bucket racing seats in their FJs...looks killer. The seats also have independent suspension and it feels like you're sitting in a lazy boy...I'm looking at getting some down the road. I hear there is nothing better in terms of comfort.

BigyellowFJ · 05-18-08, 11:11 PM

I would say if you know of seats that worked for you, then put the word out on the wrecking yard hot line. You can fab anything in, just depends how bad you want it.

KingBeeIII · 05-19-08, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigyellowFJ

I would say if you know of seats that worked for you, then put the word out on the wrecking yard hot line. You can fab anything in, just depends how bad you want it.

X2. And there is a large, friendly, and skilled Cruiser community in Denver that I'm sure would be willing to help. Check the TLCA Forum/Clubhouse for the Colorado chapters. Get some Sequoia seats to keep it Toyota.

NoHandleBars · 05-19-08, 11:06 AM

One thing to keep in mind is the seat belts...dunno how well the stock location would work with a bigger seat such as a sequioa. With racing\bucket seats you have a harness which eliminates the need to bother with modifying the current seat belt assembly.

woooody · 05-19-08, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Two-Socks

Hello,
Am very new to board, so forgive me if this is a repeat.
I used to have a LR Defender - Seat was perfect. I have a Sequoia, Limited-Seat is perfect. However, I have a bad back and neck and the seats in an SR5 4runner are pure pain, and most importantly...

I test drove an FJ yesterday. One hour total time... and pure pain ( I still hurt) Have long legs and the seat didn't support the bottom of my thighs well. Have a semi-curved spine and the top back of the seat was flat and stiff...didn't conform to my back. I wanted to rip out the padding in the top half of the seat back. No bolsters so I felt stress on high speed highway turns.

So, anyone have any ideas? I need to test-sit options before it even makes sense to buy the truck. I live in Denver Colorado. Would have bought the truck yesterday if it wasn't for the seats.

Please Help!!!

Did you raise the seat all the way up? I found that most salesmen have no clue on specifics on vehicles... The long lever on the side of the seat will raise the seat.

I've driven long trips in mine (10 - 14 hours at a time) and have no complaints. I think they support pretty well, and beath well also.

Two-Socks · 05-19-08, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the ideas folks! Need a display room that has seats in stock so I can test sit before I buy. Saw the JC Whitney. Am also looking at Corbeau...But I gotta sit first.

Contacted High Country 4X4 here. They have a showroom and they said they could make almost any seat fit. So maybe a 4-Runner, Limited or Sequoia seat.

The racing seat w/ suspension sounds promissing too.

I test sat and adjusted the seat every way possible. Bottom turned out okay. Seat back was the coup de grace.

Hmmm I wonder what the cost would be...

Manhattan · 05-21-08, 07:22 AM

Also - try to find an FJ without the side (seat mounted) airbags... no need paying for them... then ripping them out.

Agree on the "you can make anything fit" line of thinking... I had a 1979 CJ (remember those tiny low-back seats) and I swapped in big, thick, comfy, high-back buckets from a new Honda Accord. Oooh... it was comfy...

Two-Socks · 05-23-08, 10:12 AM

Anybody install replacement seats and know how to deal w/ the sensor issue? There's a steering wheel-seat proximity sensor on the driver's side and a weight sensor on the passenger side. Replace the seats and you have no airbags - none,

I want to put in Ricaro seats. Gee I'm frustrated. Know where I learned about it? A jeep dealer... Ricaro seats are incredible.

Know anybody I can call? The only answer I get so far is we can put them in...And you sign a waiver. Crap

MudHunter · 05-23-08, 12:30 PM

You have found a local shop that can fabricate. They will need the custom seat you want....then they will be able to tell you what it will take to get it done. Yes, it can be done though. HOw much is it gonna cost?? They wont know until there done. Has it been done...maybe, and maybe not yet, so I am looking forward to seeing your build thread for this!

Doubt your gonna find a showroom with Vehicle seats for you to browse through and "TEST SIT". You need to hit up the next 4WheelParts show. The MasterCraft section had a test section for you to sit in...but then its not in a vehicle and not a true representation of actual feel. I suggest them and they are true suspension seats, Very Comfortable.

Two-Socks · 05-25-08, 01:12 PM

Well, if you live in CA you're lucky. Griffin Autowerke (Bay area)broke the code. They can install Ricaros in just about any Toyota. But they have to custom make the brackets for the FJ.

Nobody in CO will touch the issue because of what they say is liability w/ the bracket build and sensor calibration.

By the way, there is an additional pad-sensor in the DS seat bottom.

So either I'm not going to buy an FJ, or I'm going to take a utility knife, padding and duct tape to the seat.

05-18-08, 09:37 AM	#1
Two-Socks IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16	Replacement Seats - Not a Simple ?? Hello, Am very new to board, so forgive me if this is a repeat. I used to have a LR Defender - Seat was perfect. I have a Sequoia, Limited-Seat is perfect. However, I have a bad back and neck and the seats in an SR5 4runner are pure pain, and most importantly... I test drove an FJ yesterday. One hour total time... and pure pain ( I still hurt) Have long legs and the seat didn't support the bottom of my thighs well. Have a semi-curved spine and the top back of the seat was flat and stiff...didn't conform to my back. I wanted to rip out the padding in the top half of the seat back. No bolsters so I felt stress on high speed highway turns. So, anyone have any ideas? I need to test-sit options before it even makes sense to buy the truck. I live in Denver Colorado. Would have bought the truck yesterday if it wasn't for the seats. Please Help!!!

05-18-08, 11:11 PM	#4
BigyellowFJ IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Ramon TLCA# 17353 Posts: 63	I would say if you know of seats that worked for you, then put the word out on the wrecking yard hot line. You can fab anything in, just depends how bad you want it. __________________ Randy & Linda 07 FJ 6 Spd,Rev Tec Lift,TRD CAI & exhaust Expedition One Front / Rear Bumper and Sliders,9 k Super winch,Gobi Ladder,Ridgeline Wheels / 33",Manick light bar,KC spots & floods,Dual batteries, Ultimate Air CO2 tank, 4+ and All Pro skid Plates, Pioneer AVIC D3 Nav Sys.

05-23-08, 10:12 AM	#10
Two-Socks IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16	Going Nuts FJ Replacement Seats= Ahhhh! Anybody install replacement seats and know how to deal w/ the sensor issue? There's a steering wheel-seat proximity sensor on the driver's side and a weight sensor on the passenger side. Replace the seats and you have no airbags - none, I want to put in Ricaro seats. Gee I'm frustrated. Know where I learned about it? A jeep dealer... Ricaro seats are incredible. Know anybody I can call? The only answer I get so far is we can put them in...And you sign a waiver. Crap

05-23-08, 12:30 PM	#11
MudHunter IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 252	You have found a local shop that can fabricate. They will need the custom seat you want....then they will be able to tell you what it will take to get it done. Yes, it can be done though. HOw much is it gonna cost?? They wont know until there done. Has it been done...maybe, and maybe not yet, so I am looking forward to seeing your build thread for this! Doubt your gonna find a showroom with Vehicle seats for you to browse through and "TEST SIT". You need to hit up the next 4WheelParts show. The MasterCraft section had a test section for you to sit in...but then its not in a vehicle and not a true representation of actual feel. I suggest them and they are true suspension seats, Very Comfortable. __________________ 1972 FJ40 - Sold to mooker82 2007 FJC 4x4, OME Lift, ARB, Hellas, Inch Worm E-locker Skid, Trail Gear Sliders 1982 Toyota 4x4, marlin crawler doubler, lift underway

05-25-08, 01:12 PM	#12
Two-Socks IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16	It can be done, But.... Well, if you live in CA you're lucky. Griffin Autowerke (Bay area)broke the code. They can install Ricaros in just about any Toyota. But they have to custom make the brackets for the FJ. Nobody in CO will touch the issue because of what they say is liability w/ the bracket build and sensor calibration. By the way, there is an additional pad-sensor in the DS seat bottom. So either I'm not going to buy an FJ, or I'm going to take a utility knife, padding and duct tape to the seat.

05-18-08, 01:41 PM	#2
tddfj IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: louisville ky Posts: 198	have you looked at summit,jcwhitney,or even tried a conversion company that may deal with people that have a physical problem. my wife is handicap there are all kinds of things they can replace in a vehical to help you. there is even a program where the dealer will cover up to 1000 dollars of the cost of putting these in. i forget what it is called but if needed they will help you out.

05-18-08, 02:12 PM	#3
NoHandleBars IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 223	A few members have put harness bucket racing seats in their FJs...looks killer. The seats also have independent suspension and it feels like you're sitting in a lazy boy...I'm looking at getting some down the road. I hear there is nothing better in terms of comfort.

05-19-08, 11:06 AM	#6
NoHandleBars IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 223	One thing to keep in mind is the seat belts...dunno how well the stock location would work with a bigger seat such as a sequioa. With racing\bucket seats you have a harness which eliminates the need to bother with modifying the current seat belt assembly.

05-19-08, 08:15 PM	#8
Two-Socks IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16	Thanks for the ideas folks! Need a display room that has seats in stock so I can test sit before I buy. Saw the JC Whitney. Am also looking at Corbeau...But I gotta sit first. Contacted High Country 4X4 here. They have a showroom and they said they could make almost any seat fit. So maybe a 4-Runner, Limited or Sequoia seat. The racing seat w/ suspension sounds promissing too. I test sat and adjusted the seat every way possible. Bottom turned out okay. Seat back was the coup de grace. Hmmm I wonder what the cost would be...

05-21-08, 07:22 AM	#9
Manhattan IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 36	Also - try to find an FJ without the side (seat mounted) airbags... no need paying for them... then ripping them out. Agree on the "you can make anything fit" line of thinking... I had a 1979 CJ (remember those tiny low-back seats) and I swapped in big, thick, comfy, high-back buckets from a new Honda Accord. Oooh... it was comfy...

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