Front seats help?

[Homer]

Dear all,

Now I have to say I love my new Triton, and find most things on it are great, it is just an unfortunate consequence of these types of forums, that you often visit them whenever you have a problem. So without trying to sound like a perennial whinger, I am really looking for a solution to the horrible front seats. After typing this it has become a little (lot) longer than intended so I apologise.

I have been doing a bit of research into replacement front seats for the ML, as have a lot of people after talking to opposite lock in Bris. They said they have had 5 people in this week asking about seats - I believe him because he just handed me a computer generated quote he had ready for replacement ML seats! - on the good/bad side he also has Hilux and new Pajero owners in.

I have visited 2 recommended trimmers who both told me there is little hope of re-stuffing or fixing the problem with them (although they would both take my money - but don't come back if there is no improvement) and so have looked for total replacements. The problem being (for me at least) is the seat height and angle means that when I am sitting in driving position, the backs of my legs basically don't touch the seat - that is imagine sitting on the ground on your bum with your feet flat on the ground in front of you, your legs are bent into a triangle position with no support under your legs around about the hamstring area. This leads to back pain and a sore arse!
I am 6 foot/182cm's.

Well, what I have found:

The mount bolts in the floor are 360mm (across the front) x 475mm (front to back).

So if there is a seat out there (comfortable) that has these bolt centres they can be bolted straight in. Believe it or not I found 7 series leather BMW seats for $400 for the pair , but having to modify the mounts with a bracket or other such engineering was apparently going to cost the earth (that is if I could find an engineer that would even consider looking at it - which I was regularly told I would not).

I have since found there is an adapter mount available (never seen it) for the Stratos seats for around $235. Total cost for seat and adapter is between $1200 - $1800 for 1 seat only depending on accesories. Another problem with this is I don't know if the seat will fix the problem - being it is as much a tilt issue as padding foam.

I snuck a tape in and the seat mounts on the Stratos seat is 405mm across the front and 320mm front to back.

So, if anyone knows a comfortable seat in any car with tilt adjustment (most probably electric but some manual ones do it) that has bolt centres of:
Across front: 360mm
Front to back: 475mm
or
Across front: 405mm
Front to back: 320mm

Please let me know. I promise a slab of anything you want in return!!!

Seats that don't work:
BMW 5 and 7 series
NP Pajero exceed.

[Greedy]

Have you read through the other threads on this topic? These might help you out with some options:
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=992&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=front+seats
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1019&p=15790&hilit=+front+seats#p15790
Also, Sam was offering someone a fix kit at some stage. PM him and see what he's done

[spargo]

Ahh, you're not alone in your thoughts - here's my moan about it this morning: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1712#p24233

I'll follow this and the other linked threads from Greedy with interest..

[Homer]

No matter what everyone says Greedy, your bloods worth bottling mate!

Sent a pm and hoping to stop whinging very soon!

[NowForThe5th]

Like many others I have issues with the front seats - insufficient support under thighs, insufficient bolstering for support around kidneys and on sides of seat. Tilting does help a little but I keep thinking that there must be a way of adding a bit of sponge and having a motor trimmer recut the upholstery to suit. Even though this sounds simple, I've come up with the same kinds of responses as Homer - it seems that Trimmers only want the nice easy jobs, not something they'd have to put a bit of work into.

So, even though I'd like to keep the original seats and just modify them a bit, replacements might be the only option although the $2000 a seat price tag just isn't justifiable.

I did find these:
http://www.soldsmart.com.au/l2.aspx?depts=32&cats=174
and although they will probably need some bracket engineering the price is definitely right. Don't know about the quality or comfort but they look a lot better than the standard seats and the black grey colours might even go close to the Triton interior.

Anybody else tried these or know anyone who has? Anyone have any other ideas?

[sam]

My seats are great don't know what you blokes are whinging about

Very easy to fix so I don't know why the upholstery places wont touch em but I got the same response
when I went to them as you so I thought if nobody will do it I'll do it myself

[Eelesy]

Maybe you guys are all too fat???

Just an idea because i had an MJ triton, and the seats were ok, the MKs were better, and i reckon there is nothing wrong with the ML.

[bill]

I found putting flat washers under the front mounting bolts did help. Also a "Premium pressure ring with enhanced memory foam technology" bought from Clarke Rubber is a great help and was an easy fix.
It stops the bum ache and also supports the thighs. I am a fairly tall bloke at 2m and it works for me. My wife has a problem with back and leg pain on long trips and was advised by a chiropractor to use a wedge cushion to adjust the angle between back and bum.
Cheers

[High Country]

I had a thread somewhere saying what I did to fix my Triton seats, as they are fairly poxy in std form. Modded, I had no hassles..............

[Homer]

Maybe you guys are all too fat???

Just an idea because i had an MJ triton, and the seats were ok, the MKs were better, and i reckon there is nothing wrong with the ML.

You sound like my bloody missus!

I prefer to think of myself as mildly overweight in a well rounded kind of way LOL.

I think it's more of a height/leg length issue combined with the usual 40 something bad back from being in heavy equipment industries from age 15.

But the seat angle and support is bad, that's something thing all the trimmers agreed on.

I'll get onto Sam, search Hi Country's threads and do some more research.

I'd just like to thank everyone here for their input and help.

Those experiencing the seat problems know how much it lets a good car down. Brisbane to Mackay in cronic discomfort, 3 days in a hot plant room repairing heavy equipment, then Mackay Brisbane in more pain is just not a fun week.

[sam]

I'M NOT AT ALL FAT but I know exactly what Homer is on about

[Wallace]

Homer, have a look at Mud16 profile, he has replaced both front seats and from memory was less that 2k. Worth a look anyway. To late info is attached to Greedy's post.........Sorry

[Homer]

Yeah thanks mate I've had a look, but I have been told by a company that sells racing seats that they aren't legal for road going vehicles. Something about the non removable headrest, so I haven't considered the molded ones - they also have nearly no padding in the seat also, so require modification anyway.

[Sapient]

http://www.soldsmart.com.au/l3.aspx?goods=CT0840BKX2

Maybe these are more gooder?

[Homer]

Yes thanks for the links. I have already emailed them asking about bolt hole centres etc and hope to hear back soon.
Does anybody know someone with them. I am sus on buying stuff sight unseen. I don't know about the cotton cover?? or if they're hard as rocks etc?

[NowForThe5th]

Hmmm.... they're the questions I asked. Figure no response means no-one knows.

I was thinking though (yeah, yeah, happens sometimes) that there are plenty of cars out there where the headrest is integral with the seat and more where the headrest is not removeable. Methinks this is ploy to get you to buy more expensive seat.

Certainly I've sat in seats which look similar and it's not the amount of padding that's important - it's having the support in the right places. The biggest problem with this mob is that they have no retail outlet where you could have a test of the seats.

If you have a look at the mounting points for the Triton seats you'll see that the front mounts are on a channel forming part of the floor and that the mounting points are different heights anyway because of a step in the channel. One way or another there will have to be some bracket modifications done. When you look at the original brackets (pressed metal secured to track with two small dots of weld and a rivet) I don't have too much doubt that I could fabricate something that would be a lot stronger. As an aside, we recently had an engineer come in to look at some modifications that a customer had done to an EH which we had in the shop. His suggestions (to get compliance) really were nothing more than common sense and this included seats (which were from an HR) and brackets which he just wanted beefed up a little and properly secured to the floor with nice big washers to spread the load.

I'm not kidding myself that these seats are as good as the big brand names but nor are they the same price and, from the pictures at least, they appear to have good thigh support, a nice deep hole where you can park your bum and good lateral support in both seat and squab. A set of sheepskin covers if necessary. I'm figuring that they're probably going to be better than the standard seats (which I'll keep anyway) and if they're really that bad then I can probably get back most of the price by just putting them on EBay.

OK, so now I think I've just about talked myself into taking the punt - it's really not that hard to press that little button that says "Add to Cart". See, hardly hurt at all......

[Sapient]

Lets us know how you go.....

[sam]

My mods cost me a couple of hours and a bit of 6mm plastic sheet and surfboard foam and whalla
what a transformation, comfy seats

[Homer]

Yes, i'd be definitely interested to know how they feel etc. As you say, they look like they have the thigh support etc.

Hey Sam, I searched a couple of your threads on the subject. Although it sounds easy from what you say, I am a little scared about doing anything to the seats myself.
I have been known to stuff some things up in the past. If it was steel just jump in no problems, weld it up again if it's wrong, but wood or trimming??? anyone know of a wood welder?

[Mud16]

I reckon putting the race seats in mine was the best accessorie of all they are so comfortable once your in but funny when people try and get and dont listen to me and bang there head because they have been liftd 25mm over normal height it doesnt much but make a hell of a difference

[Homer]

Hmmm.... they're the questions I asked. Figure no response means no-one knows.

I was thinking though (yeah, yeah, happens sometimes) that there are plenty of cars out there where the headrest is integral with the seat and more where the headrest is not removeable. Methinks this is ploy to get you to buy more expensive seat.

Certainly I've sat in seats which look similar and it's not the amount of padding that's important - it's having the support in the right places. The biggest problem with this mob is that they have no retail outlet where you could have a test of the seats.

If you have a look at the mounting points for the Triton seats you'll see that the front mounts are on a channel forming part of the floor and that the mounting points are different heights anyway because of a step in the channel. One way or another there will have to be some bracket modifications done. When you look at the original brackets (pressed metal secured to track with two small dots of weld and a rivet) I don't have too much doubt that I could fabricate something that would be a lot stronger. As an aside, we recently had an engineer come in to look at some modifications that a customer had done to an EH which we had in the shop. His suggestions (to get compliance) really were nothing more than common sense and this included seats (which were from an HR) and brackets which he just wanted beefed up a little and properly secured to the floor with nice big washers to spread the load.

I'm not kidding myself that these seats are as good as the big brand names but nor are they the same price and, from the pictures at least, they appear to have good thigh support, a nice deep hole where you can park your bum and good lateral support in both seat and squab. A set of sheepskin covers if necessary. I'm figuring that they're probably going to be better than the standard seats (which I'll keep anyway) and if they're really that bad then I can probably get back most of the price by just putting them on EBay.

OK, so now I think I've just about talked myself into taking the punt - it's really not that hard to press that little button that says "Add to Cart". See, hardly hurt at all......

Yeah that was my first thought, but it was opposite lock and the shop was full of race seats - that's pretty much what they sell - race gear. Only had one model 'normal' seat in the shop so I kinda believed him on that basis???

[tassietriton]

Just ordered a pair of Recaro "Specialist" seats.
Should be here in 2 weeks.
Will keep you posted.
Cost??? Don't ask!

[Homer]

Just ordered a pair of Recaro "Specialist" seats.
Should be here in 2 weeks.
Will keep you posted.
Cost??? Don't ask!

mmmmmm...Recaro seats. I looked at them myself, very tempted, they look the goods particularly with the variants in styles and size etc.
I hope they are bloody soft though to help with the posterior damage they do to you at the cash register.

[irsa76]

Yeah thanks mate I've had a look, but I have been told by a company that sells racing seats that they aren't legal for road going vehicles. Something about the non removable headrest, so I haven't considered the molded ones - they also have nearly no padding in the seat also, so require modification anyway.

I call BS on the highlighted passage. The current Hiace has non removable headrestraints and are legal. What they really mean is the seats don't pass ADR crash standards or they couldn't be bothered to get them tested, understandable.

[spargo]

Would adjustable seats out of a GLS fit? Or is this one of those questions/suggestions on this topic that has been put forward before?