Why is OEM Truck Seats Better?

Andy took Diana for a ride over the "old" road parallel to the new one along the Punta Bufeo stretch (tell-tale on the speedometer indicated 83mph) in his pre-runner and she returned beaming saying, "I want one!"

At first I was elated, thinking, "Wow. I can now go out and buy some trick vehicle with 30" of suspension travel!"

Turns out D was talking about the seat and 5-point seat harness. I'm not sure what brand Andy has in the truck, but I'll investigate.

I've often thought about the advantages/disadvantages of replacing the OEM seats in our F250, the Xterra, and the SR5 in Baja with something else. I don't drive the dirt roads at the speed at which Andy demo'd the attributes of the pre-runner to D, but even at 40mph the bumps, twists, and turns take their toll on one's torso.

It would seem to me, though, that w/o the 30"-inch suspension travel, one will still have to do something to the mounting between the seat and the floor in order to approximate the apparent comfort that D experienced.

I've wondered about the some kind of combination of an 18-wheeler's 'air seat' and the racer's wrap-around.

At the moment, I'm looking at models from Beard and Simpson for the F250.

Allen R I was going to put Volvo seats in my old Tacoma but then it got totaled before I got around to it. I was looking at the heated electric leather versions; several folks on TTORA have done this and swear by them. The seats in the newer Tacos are definitely more comfortable than the early Tacos- one of the few things that is actually better.

If they will physically fit and you can weld no big deal. Cut your old seat tracks off and weld them onto the new frames (disclaimer- seats are safety equipment so if you aren't a good welder take them to a certified welder!). I'd avoid aftermarket versions with high side bolsters (racing style) if your truck is a daily driver. I've got a friend with them in his BMW; he races it (SCCA), but also uses it as a daily driver and they are a PITA every time you get in or out. I put a set of Audi TT seats in my 01 Taco , mounting was easy because the TT seats had a flat mount. Got the seats for free out of a wreak , and if I remember correctly these seats where made by Recaro for Audi. The fit nicely in the Taco and had great support on and off road.

My new rig a Unlimited Wrangler needs a seat upgrade , I was thinking about ARB's Paratus brand but I don't see them on ARB's site any more so it'll probally be aftermarket Recaro's this time. In the same search...

I am in the same search, I am planning on converting to 3 seats... 2 front and one jump seat. Here is what I have come up with for OEM swaps:

The 4 Runner seats will not fit, directly, but do fit..

Volvo Seats Fit (Write-Up)


Celica Seats Fit (Write-Up)


I also Have this book marked...
Part 1
Part 2

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I have also been playing with aftermarket seats, and leaning towards the Corbeau GTS II and the Sparco Torino II. Both a lot of $ for a set of 3! Those Celica seats are really nice looking!

I'm in the market as well. The seats in my 86 Runner are pretty beat.
I hear a lot of good things about Honda Seats and Supra seats. The seats in my 89 Supra were really comfortable and I would love to find a set of those.

Couple considered good for the money new are PRP
http://www.prpseats.com/ These are more of a true off road suspension seat you would see in a desert truck. Not really the adjust-ability of a factory seat is the down side. On your 4 door they are an option since you don't have to have access for people in the back seat.

I'm a cheap skate and I haven't found a seat this side of $300 that I would buy new. Problem is you don't find a quality seat with an adjustable back and I need the quick release for rear seat entry.

Summit Racing has the whole gambit of the seats they sell at the store here in GA on display where you can try them out. The APC seats just don't seem to be good enough quality to make the long haul. Not particularly comfortable either. The higher end stuff was nice but out of my range money wise so I am looking at used.



Here is a couple seat threads with a bunch of different options and plenty of pictures.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t= I replaced the bench in my Hilux with a pair of Procar buckets. I got them from a buddy who was building a hotrod and it turned out that high back buckets wouldn't fit with the NHRA legal roll cage in his Nova. They require a cross bar that goes diagonal from the floor to the top of the cage and the angle that put the back of the seat was too steep to be comfortable. So he sold them to me for a good price. Usually you find them at Summit for around $300 each, but I got the pair for $200. But if it wasn't for the fact that I really, really like having the Tuffy in the middle, I would go back to the factory Toyota bench (which really is pretty comfortable IMHO). The Procar seats are not particularly comfortable. They did bolt right in to the factory mounting points, which was nice. I keep an eye out for buckets from a pickup or 4Runner, but decent ones that aren't stained or broken don't pop up often and I usually am too late on the classified or whatever. Honestly, the seats in our Civic (a '96) aren't very good either and I still think the original '91 bench is better.

Constantly find that when my OEM "leather" seats get wet, they stain white. I have to rub the heck out of them with conditioner or water (go figure) to get the stain off. Anyone else seen this issue in OEM leather? Not exactly ideal since I mtb and moto a ton. I'm always sweaty since I live in NC and I usually don't shy away from riding when there's a chance of shower.

Curious if aftermarket leather is actually better quality? I've seen pics of Clazzio and others but not in person. For the price I paid for this premium package, not only would I expect more, but in my next vehicle (possibly a 4 Runner) I'm curious if I should ditch the premium OEM and install my own. Tons of experience building cars so not a real concern with me, just curious on quality.

I personally like Clazzio better. I’ve compared it to OEM and frankly the Clazzio seems better quality. Thicker and more supple. Of course your not going to get it to fit as well as OEM so there is that to consider, but if you take your time you can get it to look pretty damn good.

Yea this last happened when I caught on the mtb in a downpour. I had towels in the truck so I dried off as best as I could and put a towel under me. Obviously there was some bleed through but this is the reason I got leather.....so that I wouldn't have to worry about stains, getting wet, etc. Just disappointing honestly.

Pretty familiar with building cars, although interior isn't one of my specialties. I have some interior specialists who could help me for cheap or free so not really worried about the fit quite as much. Seems like the quality ain't what it used to be.

I’m sorry but I couldn’t say on the 4runners The leather I’ve seen in the Tacoma’s hasn’t impressed me much either though. The tundra’s does seem to be better for whatever reason.

The staining almost looks like sunscreen. Hard to tell from photo.

Yea unfortunately not the case. Rear seats do the same with simply a damp towel.

Yea...not salt, not sunscreen. Salt would crystallize on leather, unlike fabric where it would absorb and stain. Unsure why I can wipe it off with water, but I usually use leather conditioner. Regardless it's not a simple "wipe-off", more of an intense scrub. Sunscreen I use about twice a year if I'm at the beach. Not necessary when all my outdoor activities involve full gear and a helmet.

This happened direct OEM. So unless it's factory conditioner that's probably not applicable. The first few times it got wet directly from the dealer it did the same thing. Continues to do it regardless of treatment (ie water or conditioner)

I actually had this happen just yesterday. I was cleaning/conditioning the leather and later on I went back to get something out of the truck and saw what looks like stains all over the trim pieces from the overspray.

I think the Clazzios fit great and are more comfortable as the factory Tacoma's seats are more confirmed fitting as the Clazzios seem to be a little less restricted as I'm 6"0 250. It also appears the Clazzios are just ticker. Mine fit like a glove. It's hard to tell they are not factory, plus no outrageous cost and no need to get the factory leather when Toyota leather has never been very good over the years.