Aftermarket Seats

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

I have been looking into aftermarket seats after a fairly long drive. The small of my back was starting to get a bit sore and I found I was shifting around trying to get comfy. I have some nice sheepskin covers fitted.

So, anyone fitted some seats? Recaros, Stratos, Paratus etc or are you all happy with the stock ones?

Looking at doing some longer trips next year (to the north island), and want to be comfortable.

[ChrisD Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisD]

You can't go past Recaro. Everything else is second best.

[yetiboy01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close yetiboy01]

In previous vehicles I have had Recaro & Scheele seats. From my experience the Recaros I had were to hard for long trips unless it was in very rough country, they offered excellent support but for my weight 75kg they were just too hard. Great running round the bush in comps.

The Scheele where very comfortable on long trips but were a bit soft in the very rough terrain as the side bolstering wasn’t as large or firm as the Recaros & you moved around more in the seat, while with the Recaros I was wedged solid in the seat & didn’t move.

As is most good quality aftermarket seats there are different models for different uses, so go in & try before you buy, don’t buy out of a catalogue from a salesman’s recommendation or you could end up with the wrong seat for your application, there are so many different seat widths, foam densities, size of side bolstering etc etc

Another point to remember when getting in & out of the vehicle if you have large side bolsters they will wear quikly as you slide in & out of the vehicle over the side bolster, its even worse if your vehicle has been raised, there are some seats available that on the drivers side the seat bolster is smaller to allow easier access to the vehicle.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

After a trip to the west coast of Tassie recently, the boss said she was getting a sore shoulder when she drives. I was given,nay told to get some new seats!
So a pair of Specialist L Recaros now reside in our bus.

Its made a big differnce to the overall feel of driving. Feels a lot more like a car than a 4x4. The seating postion is about 15cm lower than stock. this means I can put the grab handle back on above the drivers door. I used to hit my head on it with the OE seats.

Getting in and out is a bit more difficult but by swinging in over the seat base we have pretty much not found it to be much of a pain.

Now just need another long trip to try the out. The Cape again? Or back to the Kimberley?

[Offroader Member Find all posts View Profile Close Offroader]

Good choice. You will not regret buying the Recaros. Best seat out there, period.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

The seating postion is about 15cm lower than stock.

I don't think I would like that.

[8608 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close 8608]

So a pair of Specialist L Recaros now reside in our bus.

any chance of some pics. sound comfy as. we still have the std seats, and we also have the MSA air lumbar supports, which do help.

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

try the seats without the big thick seat covers they might seem comfy but they change the contours of the seat . ive driven to cairns and back in a mates gxl with sheepskin covers and had the same problem. ive done 12 hours straight in my seats without flinching . ive done a lot of long distance driving and i never put seat covers on my seats especially big thick ones . i hate them .

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

try the seats without the big thick seat covers they might seem comfy but they change the contours of the seat . .

Agreed, well worth a try.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Will get some pics tomorrow. Sitting lower is great for me, but I'm a bit tall. the missus who isn't tall does not mind either so that worked out well. Forward vision is no different than it was before.
Theres a lot more room inside as well as the standard seats are quite wide.

We did the Simpson last year and the Vic high Country this year from Tassie and return and found the OE seats were quite good. We had sheepskin covers on them.

Got to say the support round corners is where I'm liking the seats the most. No trying to hold my self against the door anymore.

Will be interesting to see how the high edges wear on the seats. The upholstry people said that getting the fabric was no problem and replacing it was easy. We will see when the time comes.

[BAZPRADO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BAZPRADO]

So how come I simply cannot see any photos posted in the threads?

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Umm
I have not been home to take pics, sorry.
Will get some as soon as I can.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Righto got some pics of the seats. sorry the quality is not so good. Was aiming into the sun a bit.






Super comfy and much better if you have a dodgy back.

[chester ver 2.0 Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester ver 2.0]

I to have the GXL and miss the lumbar support i got one of those swimming noodles cut it down to lenght, shaved one side flat and wedged it in place with some velcro between the seat and the sheepskin cover instant lumbar support for 6 bucks

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

These seats are not just about about the lumbar support. Holding you in around corners has made driving a lot nicer as well. I drive a van in my day job and that has no support. I have to wedge myself against the window to stop from falling out of the seat.
Going to try the pool noodle for some lumbar support in the van. A top idea!

If anyone knows of any seat coversctheat will fit Recaros, I would love to hear about them. I have tried quite a few places with no luck. The upholstry people said not to worry and just replace the fabric when it gets worn but that seems bit hard. We want some that might just put on for really dusty or muddy trips, or when eating chocolate.