Off-road car seats

[WhiteThaiGer]

We had to cut this weekends trip short do to co-driver backpain.(Therewas a little painbefore the trip, it was not the rough drivinghttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/devil.gif I don't do stunts like Jackhttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Anyway, while she was looking for a comfortable position I heard 'Don't they make more comfortable seats? And can't we change these seats, seems like anything else on the truck gets changed'

This is the start of some research into the subject. Does anyone have any pointers? Thought about it before, etc?




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[BajaTaco]

Yea, I have considered it for my Taco many times. One requirement I have though, is pivoting seats. You probably don't require that for the 4Runner, which increases your options. Of course, the amount ofmoney you are willing to spendwill ultimately help you choose. Beard (http://www.redart.com/) and Mastercraft (http://www.mastercraftseats.com/) make some really nice seats. The ARB Paratus (http://www.exploroz.com/eastvic/paratus/)seats look really nice, but I have never tried them. This guy (http://www.ttora-ne.com/newsite/new_england_ttora_volvo_seat_swa.htm) used some seats out of a Volvo for his Taco. I had some correspondence with him and got serious about getting some for mine. Last year, I came within a few seconds and a few dollars of winning a pair on Ebay. Oh well. Full power, leather, heated seats would probably spoil me too much anyway. My guess is that a pair of good quality used seats on Ebay might give you the best bang for the buck as far as comfort goes. This usually requires some modification to the rail/bracket system though. If you get something like Beard, theyshould have adapters for your 4Runner. Here is a nice set of Beards in a Tacoma (http://www.jordansrealm.com/beard.htm). The nice thing about Beard (redart) or MasterCraft, is that you should have plenty of places there in Socal that you can sit in them and see what they feel like.



http://www.bajataco.com

[blupaddler]

Seats...</div>



Baja had some good info. I know that most of the off-road stores, ORW, 4Wheel Parts, etc. should have seats like those. Also any VW or dune buggy type place should also carry some. I believe Paradise VW is up in Vista and should have at least one type of seat like that. </div>



Beard and Mastercraft are both considered supsension seats I believe, and come in a variety of styles, colors, etc. I had a pair of Mastercrafts in my old baja bug. My only dislike is that they are fixed...meaning you cannot recline them, unless things have changed in the last couple of years. Which for long drives can make them uncomfortable, maybe that was just the VW thoughhttp://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/biggrin.gif </div>



Another option though and more $$$ would be Recaro's, not too sure of their website, but you be able to search and find them without too much trouble. If you are familiar with the "Turtle Expedition," I know they got some kind of ortho Recaro seat, with all sorts of nice comfort. However I am sure they cost $400+ vs. the Beards which would top out around $200-300. </div>
That's about it...good luck</div>




robb

[JackSilb]

As usual, I like the ARB stuff.
Did not see the price.

-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[WhiteThaiGer]

Thanks for the pointers.

I think we would want reclining, that limits the choices. This is not a high priority item, so we'll keep our eyes open.

blupaddler, the displayed seat at VW Paradise is partly at fault for starting this subject. We had a car there for some service on Friday and Srisuda tried a seat.... They only had one that I saw.




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[expeditionswest]

You should consider Corbeau. They are just as comfortable (not sure about quality) as the Recaro's. Any of the nice Recaro seats run $500+
Take a look at this GTS II (http://www.apexperformance.net/c81847p9610567.2.html) from Corbeau: $320.

I have the same comfort issues with the Trooper, and now the Tacoma. It is a real pain in the butt http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/joker1.gif


</div>


Scott Brady
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com

[MrS]

Over on the Tacoma Board I've seen where a few people haveinstalled Celica seats. </div>



Sounds like basicly an easy swap, and the seats recline and tilts forward. Maybe not an issue for a 4rer, but a must for the EX Cab.</div>



Over the last year or so, I eye-balled the older Celica seat and the look very nice.I'm not sure what year Celica work best (or what years won't work), but the older one (maybe early 90s) look to have much better support.</div>



When I got my truck, I wanted the up-graded rig with the better seats. They are not good, but MUCH better than the base truck seats. I sat in limited Tacomas, but the seats didn't seem worth the added cost. Infact I wondered if they where the same seat, just covered better, elec., and more adjustments.</div>



Not sure what the cost would be, but I guessno morethan a forward tilting aftermarket seat.</div>



Tim and Nag (who I can't get to come here) has some nice seats in his Scout, but they look to big for the small toyotas.</div>



Keep us posted, I'd like new seats, but don't want to spend $1000 + dollars and end-up with the wrong seats. I've sat in seats in stores, but it's hard to tell how they would work in the truck. All the seats (I seen) are basicly sitting on the floor with alot of room around them, but my truck is higher and you slide in from the side.</div>


KF6YSB

[MrS]

I've contacted one of the guys over at the Taco forum with Celica Seats. Since there are a few people around here that are 6'+, I wanted to share a point he made. Here is a quote:</div>
"If you're over 6', I would consider different seats. The celica's are a crap load better than stock but I think other seats may have been more comfortable."</div>
Here is a link to his seat write-up</div>
http://ttora-ne.com/CT/Celica_Seat_Swap/index.html
</div>


KF6YSB

[MrS]

I went to E bay and checked for Toyota Seats. A bunch came up, but I see the are some TRD seats for $280, and may just bolt right in.


KF6YSB

[WhiteThaiGer]

MrS said...

I've contacted one of the guys over at the Taco forum with Celica Seats. Since there are a few people around here that are 6'+, I wanted to share a point he made. Here is a quote:
"If you're over 6', I would consider different seats. The celica's are a crap load better than stock but I think other seats may have been more comfortable."
Here is a link to his seat write-up
http://ttora-ne.com/CT/Celica_Seat_Swap/index.html


</div>
We have some serious requirements regarding this since we fall out of the 95%tile on both ends.... That's why we also have to be able to try a seat before we consider buying one.


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[BajaTaco]

Steve, if it's the seats I am thinking of, there were some guys on TTORA saying they were not too comfortable (the "TRD" seats on eBay).

Uwe, you should just go to an Inland Prerunners meeting, or go to ProTrux or Camburg, and just ask to sit in some of the trucks with Beard or Mastercraft seats - at least you could try those out.


http://www.bajataco.com