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ORP seats too hot

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by broken-giver, Jun 26, 2023.

  1. Jun 26, 2023 at 3:27 AM
    #1
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    I had a longish (7 hours) drive over weekend and noticed softex leather gets too hot. It doesn’t feel as cool as leather. Maybe it’s a good thing in winter. But summer travel feels uncomfortable.
    Short of replacing softex with leather what have others done to address this? I think the seats are comfortable and I dig the TRD badging a lot, so I don’t want to change it out. Is there any product others have tried to make the seats cooler or vent more easily when in use?
     
  2. Jun 26, 2023 at 3:42 AM
    #2
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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  3. Jun 26, 2023 at 8:35 AM
    #3
    rickystl

    rickystl New Member

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    The very best seat covers I've used to get that essential air-gap between you and the seat are genuine sheepskin covers. The imitation sheepskin works almost as good. Many people think the sheepskin is just for winter and cold weather use. It is equally as good, if not better in summer. My other vehicle is a convertible. After driving with the top down in 90+F temperature, you feel warm. But your back and seat don't perspire. They are super comfortable and easily mold to your seat contours. The only negative with sheepskins is they are expensive. Especially if you order them custom to your particular vehicle.

    Strangely enough, they no longer appear to make the old fashioned terry cloth seat covers. They were inexpensive and I thought worked pretty well. While they didn't provide that air-gap between you and the vinyl seat, they did provide a barrier between both. Like putting a cotton towel on your seats.

    Back in the 1950/60's they use to sell these folding two-piece seat pads that were woven with natural fibers. They were not especially comfortable, but they did provide an excellent air-gap. Eventually the natural fibers were replaced with plastic strands (cheaper) which would loose their shape more easily.

    Well, that's all for today's history lesson in seat covers. LOL
     
    Captain Spalding likes this.
  4. Jun 26, 2023 at 8:49 AM
    #4
    rickystl

    rickystl New Member

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    YES!! I've tried these. They do provide an excellent air gap. And the covers tend to mold to the contours of your car seat easily. The only draw back for me was what they claim to be a messaging effect was really more of an irritation. But I'm 73 with thin skin and old bones. LOL They seem to sell a lot of these. So many folks apparently find the wooden balls comfortable. If the seller offers a return privilege, this would be worth trying out. It's probably the best option for air-gap at a reasonable price.
     
  5. Jun 26, 2023 at 9:00 AM
    #5
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    I would recommend investing in a quality ceramic tint all the way around, including the windshield. You’d be surprised how well it helps keep the interior cool with the ac running.
     
    Burnt Taco, rickystl and 2021venture like this.
  6. Jun 26, 2023 at 10:28 AM
    #6
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Sheepskin is the beginning and end of seat comfort. F-16 fighter jets come with sheepskin out of the factory.
    9B195C95-B6CB-4059-A277-8873846988D9.jpg
    These pilots can be doing 5 to 8 hour missions without much ability to move around. For me, it made an uncomfortable motorcycle seat go from a 1 hour seat, to a 5hr seat easily. I would imagine it would do wonders in a car. If you go this route, I recommend getting a generic sizing that you can take with you and use on other cars/seats, since they are good, and expensive.
     
  7. Jun 26, 2023 at 10:34 AM
    #7
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    I didn't see it mentioned yet but, is the seat heater... off.

    Ok, please continue.

    And I've had fabric seat covers since day one over the Softex.
     
  8. Jun 26, 2023 at 10:45 AM
    #8
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    ha ha
    I swear that is what I thought a few times. Sadly they are not on.
     
    rickystl likes this.
  9. Jun 26, 2023 at 10:47 AM
    #9
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    Thanks for the recommendation.
    I do not think this will do anything with seat getting too hot however. The interior of my car is quite pleasant. Its the seat and back of my seat that feels too hot. Plus I do need all the heat from sun I can get in winter, here in Boston.
     
  10. Jun 26, 2023 at 10:48 AM
    #10
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    I am very surprised at the recommendation. If anything I would have thought this would make me sweat more not less.
    Wow very cool, I did not know pliots used these.
     
  11. Jun 26, 2023 at 3:25 PM
    #11
    IVRunner

    IVRunner New Member

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    I have spent a fair amount of time with sheepskin between my posterior and saddles, seats, and chairs. Sheepskin is good stuff in warm or cold temps.
     
  12. Jun 26, 2023 at 3:44 PM
    #12
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    I’ve been using half of a dark gray bath towel on trips. I cut it in half. One for each side. But I’m contemplating sheep skin. Would love a recommend.
     
  13. Jun 26, 2023 at 4:58 PM
    #13
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

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    Pretty much any modern airplane that is at least a turbo prop to jets all the way up to airliners have sheepskin covers on the crew seats. There is nothing else out there that performs the way sheepskin does.
     
    rickystl and McSpazatron[QUOTED] like this.
  14. Jun 26, 2023 at 5:14 PM
    #14
    Ctg

    Ctg New Member

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    Same with my 4 Runner that had softex. Like the looks and was easy to maintain but was too hot. On drives over 4 hours, very uncomfortable. Yes, seat heat was off. Got rid of it and made sure the next one I had came with leather and venting. Went with a Limited.
     
  15. Jun 26, 2023 at 5:17 PM
    #15
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    I can compromise but not that much. No way I will get a limited, no disrespect
     
  16. Jun 26, 2023 at 5:44 PM
    #16
    Ctg

    Ctg New Member

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    None taken. Mine were years apart. Bought the one with Softex in 2015 new for 35k. Bought the Limited in 2023 with 82k miles on it for close to what I paid in 2015. Prices are nuts but no disrespect taken. I just knew that the next one was not going to be Softex.
     
  17. Jun 26, 2023 at 6:11 PM
    #17
    semprenissart

    semprenissart Mèfi

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    I had ventilated seats in my Lexus and even though the seats didn’t feel cold in 115F AZ summer, it let air in between the seat and my body which prevented my back from being all sweaty. Definitely wouldn’t mind having these again
     
  18. Jun 26, 2023 at 6:23 PM
    #18
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    The reason you stay cooler is that the air gap between all the wool strands can move air in and out as you move around, so it’s a bit like it’s ventilated.
     
    rickystl and 2Toys like this.
  19. Jun 26, 2023 at 6:27 PM
    #19
    TN_FunRunner

    TN_FunRunner New Member

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    I recommend some quality tint.
     
  20. Jun 26, 2023 at 7:12 PM
    #20
    Tooly

    Tooly New Member

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  21. Jun 26, 2023 at 7:55 PM
    #21
    backpacker

    backpacker New Member

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    Last edited: Jun 26, 2023
  22. Jun 26, 2023 at 8:59 PM
    #22
    RunningBear

    RunningBear New Member

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    Search "Cooling Car Seat Covers" on Amazon. Seems there are lots of choices of seat covers with fans built in.
     
  23. Jun 27, 2023 at 5:26 PM
    #23
    nova

    nova New Member

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    Compromise? Yeah, I guess you’re right :anonymous:
     
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  24. Jun 27, 2023 at 7:10 PM
    #24
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    you have to see that chrome on grill everyday :crapstorm:
     
  25. Jun 27, 2023 at 8:43 PM
    #25
    nova

    nova New Member

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    Lol, more chrome means cooler butt!
     
  26. Jun 28, 2023 at 3:06 AM
    #26
    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    Yeah I though ceramic tint was a gimmick but it does cut down on the heat. Have not done a long trip yet but sunny days are definitely cooler
     
  27. Jun 28, 2023 at 4:08 AM
    #27
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    I am kinda sad you don't like my butt.
     

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