The Most Uncomfortable Seats Ever!

Could swap the seats out. I think the Tundra seats are comfy personally, but they don't hold a candle to my buggy seats. They're custom made and a lot of different styles from mild to wild, heated, adjustable lumbar, materials, etc. Not exactly the cheapest option, but aside from having the stock ones worked I'm not sure what you can do.

 

I’m not a fan of our seats either. My first post to this forum back in 2017 was answering up on a thread about the uncomfortable seats.... In my case, the main issue is that the drivers seat is canted slightly toward the center console. I thought about adding washers on that side, but wasn’t sure about potential repercussions to safety in a collision. But, I do love the leg room!

By comparison, the old, worn out, leather split in multiple places seat in my 2002 is comfortable (not canted, more adjustments possible); however, there’s not enough leg room so long trips kill me.

 

Definitely not trolling. Honest complaint

I’m thinking high end off road seats will be too much money for me to want to put into the truck.

Well that at least helps me narrow down my search. I just thought they might bolt in and be easy, but if they’re no better then I won’t worry about it

How did you lower the seats? I take it yours are manual adjustment. Not sure I could do that to my power seat?

Thanks for the feedback. From everyone’s posts it seems like I running by an upholstery shop is what I should do

Seems we have a similar problem. I wish my shoulders weren’t pushed so far forward, OR that the lower back was pushed more forward to put my back more in a straight line. I don’t have problems with leg support, although I have the front of the seat bottom tilted as high as it will go.

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. Seems like I need to talk to a local upholstery shop to see if they have any ideas.

 

The well used seats in my 2007 were not the most comfortable, and the jacked up rear on it's short wheel base resulted in a seating position that pushed your head & shoulders toward the windshield. I lowered the rear 3.25" and installed Wet Okole seat covers, this gave me extra padding and a normal seating position. The truck is very comfortable now.

I lowered the bed of the truck by hanging the leaf springs under the axle. This leveled the truck as well as the seating position.

before:


after:

 

I understand all too well.
On my 2001 there are manual bench seats that are split so that the drivers side is its own seat but there is no adjustment other than front/back and tilt the back.
So I used metal and rubber to both raise the entire seat and tilt the bottom to the rear floor a little,problem solved mostly and have put 100k on the truck mostly really comfy as the seat feels like sitting on a couch really and there is decent legroom though nothing like the newer models there either.




I had a 2007 briefly that had the fully adjustable electric seat and I loved it really,no complaints at all.

Now the 2015 and I am back to no adjustment at all and the bench seat though they are really buckets when you remove the center section afterall and the angle seems much better than the 2001 bench was so I have not done the same thing to that one but it looks like it will be a really simple mod if I want to try it too.
I looked at those Desert Design? blocks too and they would be so easy to make myself that I decided not to buy them for the crazy price they sell for.
I could easily just do what I did with the 2001 seat.

The real issue for me is the seats are just so hard and unforgiving on the butt!
I cant drive for more than 30 minutes with the wallet in my pocket to give you the idea.

Why they went to rock hard padding I can not imagine and I also imagine that I might find some more adjustable version of the seat from a higher trim level truck that is more comfortable and easily adjustable but it is hard to tell for sure without being able to sit in them first and I just have not had the time to hunt some down but that is likely what I will try.

I also wonder if the seats from a 2nd Gen truck fit in a 3rd Gen truck which would broaden the choices even more?

 

Here’s another solution....

 

I know this is a 2nd gen forum, but my 2 cents.....

I have been on the fence for a while for Tundra vs RAM, new trucks. My head wants a Tundra for bullet proof reliability, my heart and my wife want a RAM. Last Feb, we had the fluke opportunity to rent a new 2020 Ram Rebel with 10 miles on the clock, we loved the truck. A few weeks ago, we decide to drive from Seattle to Phoenix and spend some time with my folks, we decide to rent again and happened to get a 2019 Tundra SR5. I was excited because I was going to get an opportunity to do a true comparison. Well not a totally true comparison because we would buy a higher trim level than an SR5 like a Pro or maybe a Platinum.

The truck drove great, it is an easier truck to drive and park than the RAM. 1500 miles later though and both our backs were killing us from the Tundra seats, my wife has a bad back (multiple surgeries), and she said we aren't buying a Tundra. I told her the higher trim will have nicer seats but she is reserving judgement until she she gets to test them thoroughly. I was completely amazed how bad the seats were in a SR5.

I have sat in a Pro but not driven one yet, I am hoping the seats in the Pro and Platinum are really good because I know the Tundra is a way smarter choice for us.

 

I’ve heard that the Ram dealerships have really comfortable seats in their service area waiting rooms, too. Could be a factor for the many hours you would be setting there.
Seriously, you should definitely not get a truck that you know will be uncomfortable.

 

I've got to say, of all the vehicles I have owned, the seats in my 2012 are the most comfortable.

If you are already looking at spending top dollar for a loaded truck, why not spend a little more and buy custom seats? Sell your OE seats to recuperate some of the cost. I personally, would never sacrifice reliability for comfort. You can make a Tundra comfortable, but you can't make a Ram reliable.

 

My 2007 SR5 had some of the most comfortable seats, way better than the apple crates in my 2014 Limited. The much improved in the 2019 Platinum are meant for long rides.

 

Can eat a lot of fried chicken put some junk in your trunk if not just invest in a seat cushion

 

I have a 2016 crewmax Limited with full power seats and the leather is getting warn in places. the seats are comfortable but need a seat cover, for front only. I need something durable but also easy to install. Any suggestions?

 

After owning an Audi RS5 i would agree with the main point in our Tundra seats. I think this was a marketing ploy so you can feel the suspension working unlike a Dodge or Chevy who have plush rides and are smooth. I mean we bought a mans truck why not feel it ...

 

I found a wrecked 2012 Limited Tundra in my area. Does anyone know if the cushions are any different between the TRD seats I have and the Limited seats? I understand the limited have leather and heat.

 

You’ve obviously never logged any hours in this luxurious cabin. Might help put the Tundra comfort in perspective....

 

I would tend to agree with you. I briefly had an 2018 sr5 OR and now have a 2020 limited OR, and the cloth seats in the sr5 were a touch better, but these seats in the limited are by far the least comfortable seats I have ever owned in a vehicle, which is a bit of a bummer for such an expensive vehicle. I just checked and my lady's '18 honda fit, the bolsters are almost 3x as deep on the seat and the backrest, and has a ton of give in the seat area. I also checked my 2015 srf sequoia and those seats have deeper bolsters and more give in the seat. The tundra seat has almost zero give and the bolsters are a joke, as some others have eluded to, almost a park bench like feel to them.

I have had multiple back injuries to include herniated and compressed discs in multiple areas, and my back stays relatively okay with constant management, and at times I get severe flare ups. But with these seats and sitting in them 2-4 hours a day, my back is now in near constant pain.

I think I'm going to go the route of a custom upholstery shop to swap the cushions and leather for cloth, hopefully they can also add some softer springs into the seats as well.

 

My 2020 limited seats absolutely suck. I would think you'd be better off finding OLD cloth seats, and if you have to you could do a new seat cover from a company like headwaters. I wonder if any American makes seats could be swapped. Like someone mentioned an excursion, or any old american model of truck/large suv with cloth seats, are probably going to be at least 10x as comfortable as these seats.

 

I have seats called liquicell in my 2008 sr5. They are leather with gel stuff in them and when I go to look them up I cannot find anything about them. Do any of you guys have these, or is it something the dealer may have added on?

 

I looked on the Sparks Parts website at the cushions. There are several different cushions for a Tundra. Depends on trim model, power options, etc. There are at least 5 different seat cushions for a Tundra. I would look up the part and then determine if the donor vehicle you are looking at matches your vehicle. The price for a new cushion is not too high. A new cushion from Sparks is only around $160. Remember to use the code Tundracrew to get 5% off.
I spoke to a guy who retired from running an upholstery shop. He said to get a new cushion. If you don't like the new cushion you can modify it with a softer padding before you put the cover back on.

 

I find it hard to find good seats because manufacturers can’t account for the variety of body types. My Challenger RT plus with leather and adjustable height lumbar support gave me a back ache after more than a couple hours but the wife could have gone all day in it.

My Tundra SR5’s seats with inflatable lumber that could not be raised or lowered in height were so soft they felt cushy for short hops but lacked proper support for a long haul. In either vehicle I found myself shifting my pelvis around to alleviate low back pain by around hour 3 or 4. Wife was good to go for hours in either.

This is absolutely not a “Im now a Ford fanboy not a Toyota fanboy” take, but the cloth seats in the F150 XLt I just picked up are the first ones that make me feel like I could do 8 hours without a break. They aren’t super special but just happened to be shaped right for me.

Since the lower back sweet spot was so hard to find with my other two cars they were probably gonna get aftermarket cushions down there if I kept them.

I rented a 2020 Silverado on vacation just before COVID and for a number of reasons that’s how it got knocked out of the running to replace my 09 Crewmax. It made me realize down the line it’s worth renting vehicles I am considering buying on vacation or just for the hell of it even if it Costs a bit more than a standard rental. Great opportunity to Get extensive wheel time in a variety of conditions without a salesperson bothering you and pick up on issues you don’t find in a 10 minute test drive. Such as seats that aren’t comfy after a couple hours.

 

I’ve found my 07 Limited to be the most comfortable seat I’ve ever driven in. Driven it 14 hours straight and no pain at all. I’ve owned 33 vehicles. I’m 5’9, 150 so not a big guy. The more I think about it, the more I realize that power seats have a VERY big bearing on comfort for me.

A manual seat can only be adjusted in specific increments, while power is almost infinite. Just my experience.

 

Same for my 07 & I'm a fat boy @ 6' 250lb

 

Have you tried adjusting the seats? My 07 SR5 has power seats that raise/lower, tilt up/forward, recline or cline and a adjustable lumbar support. Or did the loaded 2011 not get that option?

I guess the leather throw me off, just get some 07 cloth seats super comfy.

 

My 2013 is hands down the most uncomfortable seat I’ve had the misfortune to do long distances in and I’ve spent my time in some right old clunkers. The solid bucket seats of a 60’s Triumph Spitfire weren’t the best but at least the lack of headrest meant that my head could be where I wanted it
Possibly the most comfortable seat I had the joy to sit in was in a Mercedes tractor trailer rig (class 1 licence holder, what most of you would know as a CDL)
5’10”, 250lb gorilla in a fat suit…
The non-tilt headrest is angled too far forward and would give me chronic neck ache for anything in excess of a couple of hours on the interstate.
My lower back has had a bit of a hard life, taking a 60’ leader fall while out climbing in my late teens was probably the root cause.
So, like others on here I’ve not found the manual seat’s lower lumbar support satisfactory.
The cheap memory foam cushion shoved in behind my seat covers makes my seat look like it has collapsed and closer inspection shows it to be off center but I haven’t had an issue with either back or neck pain since but aesthetically my seat now looks like a piece of shit.

 

We are all different in what we find comfortable. I'm one of the lucky ones who finds the Tundra seats very comfortable. My third Tundra with previous trims in cloth ('02 and '18). I prefer firm seats, even for couches. All have been very good IMHO. My current '20 Pro leather seats are some of the most comfortable I've ever had.

Like others here, I suggest going to an upholsterer and let them guide you on new foam shapes and hardness that will suit the user better.

 

Im currently dealing with back pain still from a herniated disc even after surgery. I have wet okole seat covers and they provide some cushion but the seat still sucks. I order the purple seat cushion and lumbar support. It felt good on my butt and back todays short drive. If it can be good on my bad back I would imagine it would be really good if I wasn’t having back pain all the time. I would highly recommend trying these.

https://purple.com/seat-cushions/car

 

Finally did something about my horrible seats. I found a 2016 Limited seat in the color I needed so I swapped it in. I can tell that the new seat is much firmer in both the bottom and back cushions. The lumbar has way more authority and the seat overall seems to be a little bit lower than the old seat. The side bolsters seem to be a little more defined on the new seat which I like. My only complaint so far is that I wish the thigh adjustment went higher, but I know that’s a common theme and people install spacers for that. I still need to log some hours in the new seat until I determine if I’m going to keep it or not, but so far I’m liking the change.

Old on the left, new on the right



The best part is that it’s similar enough that nobody is going to notice my seats are mismatched, but it’s different enough that I may be happier on a long drive now. If I decide to keep it, I’ll be looking for a matching passenger side seat.

 

Hold up, these bolt into 2nd gens? The wiring is the same for the power harness and seat belts?

 

They bolt up, yes. But the wiring is not the same. You’ll have to re-pin the connectors on the bottom of the seat and swap the seatbelt buckles