Anybody else find the seats on 5th gens uncomfortable?

Had my 2019 4Runner for about a year and a half now. Love, love, love the truck...except for one thing. On long trips, after about an hour my rear end and legs are miserable.
As it happens, I am a wheelchair seating specialist so I know a little about cushions and pressure relief but never in my career have I adapted anything to a vehicle.
I'd like to do something that's functional and looks good....basic plan right now is find a cushion that I can put on top of the existing seat, and get a good quality seat cover that will make it all look good. Challenge with doing this is finding a cushion that works but has a low enough profile but I think I can handle that part...just wondering if anyone here has tried any seat mods or cushions before that fit well for this vehicle?

 

Might want to look into getting some Seat Jackers. I have no experience with them, but the folks on the other T4R forum like em’.

https://desertdoesit.com/collections/toyota-4runner/products/front-seat-jackers-2002-2009-4runners

 

that looks promising...thanks!

 

^^. highly recommend these. Have had lower back pain most of my adult life. These were one of the first modifications I’ve made to my 5th gen, and I’ve loved it. Made 4 1600mi road trips in the last 4 months, often with 14 hour days and haven’t felt the slightest bit of discomfort.

 

Many of the seat jacker reviews mention the benefit for taller drivers. Does anyone know if they would be equally as beneficial for shorter drivers around 5'2?

 

if anything, buying them individually might be a negative effect for a short driver. The seat jackets raise the front posts of the seat located at the back of your knee. That would effectively lengthen the distance your lower leg covers.

but if you buy both front AND back, you could be real close to the wheel, but effectively gain up to ~2” of seat position height.
Which if you’re 5’2”, you might need/want.

 

I've actually found my seats to be quite comfortable; and I'm around 6'1". But, I do have electric adjustable seats, so wonder if that might make the difference. As in, if they're able to adjust further and mimic what the seat jackers are accomplishing?

I did have the above issue in my Taco though. I'd constantly have to try to sit up a bit and stretch, or make extra stops for stretching breaks. It wasn't terrible, and I've been across country and back in it without regrets, but to me, my 4runner has been significantly more comfortable.

 

I was just about to pose this very question.

For me, though, it's not about the seat itself, but the driving position. If I could have some extra extension on the telescoping steering wheel, I'd be a happy camper.

 

Since my other cars have been sport cars, and I usually drive my miata, I think the seats feel quite comfy

 

I find the seats in my wife's Q5 and my previously owned Jetta Sportwagen to be way more comfortable for longer drives than my 4Runner. They provided much more support for my giraffe legs. I may have to check these things out before my trip from SC to WY later this year.

 

Good point, thanks!

 

I think you should. I came from an b6 A4 (probably similar to your wagon) to the 4R and was also lacking support under my knees. (6’3”) and I still have headroom with the front lifts installed.

 

I'm 6'2" and just about every car is uncomfortable for me.. but only mildly. My constant complaint is lack of extension on today's "telescoping" steering wheels. If the wheels would come another inch or two closer, I'd be fine. As it is, it's impossible for my hands to be in the right position without having my legs so bent that they're basically in my chest (not really.. but they are bent up to the sides of the steering column.. I can't move my knees freely under the steering wheel column).. So I'll end up having the seat too far rear-ward to suit my legs, which means I'm typically sitting up in the seat and leaning forward without my back even using the back rest part.

I don't see how those "Seat Jackers" would help. Am I missing something? I currently keep my electric power adjustable seats as low as they can go.. cause why wouldn't I?

 

I don't know if my brain performs bad, I like the cloth seats on my non premium SR5 over the Softex on TRD or the leather on Limited. I wish I could have someone add some comfy cushion under my seats.

 

Sorry they're not working for you. I'm 6'2" (and not small) and I love 'em. I hope you find a solution that works!

 

correct me if im wrong but in 2020 over a 2019 they went to full power 12 way adjustable seats. One reason I went with 2020 over 2019.

 

Was this true for the T4R? I know it was true for the Taco.

 

I’ve found that by having the front seat jackers only that I get a little over an inch raise of the front of the seat. Now while that’s not significant, it does alter the maximum angle of the sitting part of the seat from the horizontal. Those extra degrees of incline don’t change my distance from the wheel much, but by flexing my legs at the knee more I take pressure off my lower back.

 

Haha, nice illustration! I appreciate the effort. I see how they helped you and that's what's up. I see how these could help many. I do think my 2020 will maybe raise that area though, on it's own with it's electric seats (don't quote me on that though because I'm sure I have mine as low as they'll go).

Yeah, my issue is just different. I'm pretty skinny, plus everyone's body is different I imagine (such as how long your leg is above your knee vs. below your knee). My knees are already bent plenty, plus I'm used to sports cars so having my legs practically straight wouldn't bother me. I just need the steering wheel to come closer so that I don't have to "lean forward" just to properly grab it.

In my BMW I actually looked enough into the issue and heavily considered having a steering wheel hub spacer fabricated. I really wish this was something manufacturers would address... then again I'm sure some nancy lawyer out there said that having the steering wheel extend too much was a liability or some b.s. That or there is no physical way to have it extend further without making it sit closer always.. and we all know how many grandmas out there like to drive (though they shouldn't lol).. so they chose to go with the masses instead of make us tall guys happy.

Oh well, tall guy probs. Can't complain too much! At least I can reach the top shelf for my shorty fiance lmao.

 

I believe most all the 4Runners CAN raise that area, the seat jackers just allow you to raise it more. I'm 6'3" with a 35" inseam. I have a TRD ORP (aka power adjustable drivers seat) and still wasn't comfortable. Adding the extra inch of height to the front was a HUGE improvement, the illustration 4RoccoRunner made is spot on. It went from an odd fitment to feeling like I was driving a full size pickup again. I can get better leg room and support through my thighs, allowing me the ability to have the seat back a little more vertical (if wanted) without degrading comfort.

Also, no issues with head space as I keep the rear of the seat bottom as low as it goes. I do have the sunroof too. I can't get any semblance of a sports car seat fitment - the base of the seat is too high and the seat doesn't go far enough back... I'm use to legs being close to straight in front of me in sporty vehicles.

 

Hmmm.. maybe I'll have to look into those some...


BTW in case anyone doesn't know, the suggested "right" way to drive in a typical street vehicle is like this...

When your butt is all the way back, and your back is against the seat back (comfortably), you should extend your arms and hands straight out in front of you, and when you lower them to make contact with the top of the steering wheel, your wrists should be what touches the outside of the wheel.

This is determined by professional drivers all over and has worked well for me (when attainable) over the years. I'm pretty sure the science says that when you position your body correctly and then allow your wrists to determine the distance of the wheel from your shoulders, once you grasp the wheel with your hands in the correct locations (9:30/2:30), your arms should be in the perfect position so that they are relaxed but also attentive and ready for action.

Often race cars will have the driver even closer for quicker steering reaction, but they don't have airbags in the way, and comfort is obviously not of concern while racing either.

To each his own.. but this might really help some. I super suggest it.. especially for sporty driving!

 

I'm 6'5" 240ish lbs and I like the seats! I also still have headroom which is nice.

 

very interesting but your seat doesnt do the lower part adjustment? like the angle adjustment i mean

 

no it does, I have a trim with the power seats, it just wasn’t enough of an angle for me. But I’ve been described as GUMBY esque before...

 

To revisit this, I recently raised the front area of my seat per your recommendations. I can see how that makes the seating position more comfortable overall.. if I didn't have to drive, lol. The leg support does make my butt and back feel better, but now my legs are literally touching the steering wheel.

Do you guys have your steering wheel angled all the way up, like a school bus? The steering column is supposed to point right at your chest I believe..

 

I have it pretty close to all the way up if not all the way. It's comfortable. The leg support and back support from the raised front out weights the inconvenience of not having the steering in the "optimal" performance driving location.

Leg room is slightly reduced but I don't touch the steering wheel with my legs. I can get a photo this afternoon.

I'm driving my 4Runner not a 993

 

Haha fair point, but isn't the airbag supposed to be aimed a certain way from a safety stand-point?

Anyway, splitting hairs over here, as usual...

I'll keep messing with it.. it's livable. Like I said, I've had this problem in all my cars since I stopped growing, so it's not a 4Runner thing, it's a me thing.

 

We're a Toyota family (Highlander, Sienna, Rav4) and 4Runner seats are the most uncomfortable.
For me, I'm trying to angle forward the seat and I think getting these spacers in front will exacerbate the problem.
I think another issue that compounds the back pain, at least in my case, is the position of the gas pedal. I find the pedal to much to the right and that puts my right leg in an uncomfortable angle (not much, only few degrees) to the right. When weather gets nicer, I will see if I can more the pedal box (since is throttle by wire) a bit to the left.

 

Yes, ideally. But I’m of the mind that if something bad is going to be happening to my 4R, I want the airbag to put me out of my misery.

 

can you imagine a long travel 993?