Is it possible to lower the front seats?

[slomatt]

When I position my drivers seat so that I can easily reach the wheel and pedals it puts my head about 3/4" from the bump in the roof that coves the sunroof tracks. If I hit a bump it's possible for my head to contact the roof. Because of the low roofline I often can't see stop lights unless I lean forward which is annoying.

There's no existing mechanical option I could find to lower the seat, and I don't want to recline it so far back that I can't reach the wheel (plus that super reclined look is way too cool for me).

From looking at the brackets I can't see any easy way they could be adjusted lower, anybody have any suggestions? If there was room to cut the brackets and re-weld them that might work, but so farm I'm not seeing a good solution.

I should probably mention this is a 2000 4runner sport and I'm 6'1, so not all that tall. I think my upper body is taller in proportion to the length of my legs so that could be part of the issue.

Thanks.

- Matt

[RunnerUp]

ive heard of people changing the seats out to like civic seats or something... but i dont understand the issue, im 6'3" and 220 and i fit just fine in my 3rd gen, dont have to lean forward to see lights or anything... and i have a sunroof

[YotaFun]

There should be a nob on the side of the seat the lowers and raises the bottoms seat cushion.

I am not at tall as you two gentlemen, but when I have the seat bottom all the way down I feel like I am riding in a sports car...

[Bob98SR5]

Matt,

Ive take the seats out a few times and I don't believe there is a way to lower the seat as the rails that are connected to the seat bolt into the two horizontal floor pieces that is part of the floor tub.

Bob

[4x4mike]

I think it would require a mini sledge and pounding down the humps in the floor. I've got a sun roof and a lot of tall friends. When they ride shot gun I have to pull the sunroof shade back so their head isn't rubbing on the roof. I clear it just fine but I'm short torsoed although I did hit my head pretty hard on my sunroof going a little too fast over some water bars in Joshua Tree.

Easiest way to gain some clearance it to take your wallet out. I won't go into the junk in the trunk explanation.

[CJM]

Unless you change the rails or to a seat that adjusts height wise then no.

[slomatt]

ive heard of people changing the seats out to like civic seats or something... but i dont understand the issue, im 6'3" and 220 and i fit just fine in my 3rd gen, dont have to lean forward to see lights or anything... and i have a sunroof



I didn't quite understand how I was hitting the roof either since I don't have this problem in other cars. The adjustment at the bottom of the seat only lowers the back half, I'm wondering if I could drop the front part too... will have to play around.

- Matt

[Seanz0rz]

id say it depends on how you sit in the vehicle. at 5'7 my hair sometimes touches the sunroof, but i sit bolt upright. i dont like doing the gangsta slouch while driving, something i hate about low slug cars.

i suppose if you really wanted you could modify the mounting brackets. for the front 2 and outer rear it would be easy, but the one that bolts to the tranny hump might be more difficult.

[CJM]

You will envy me when I tell you the T100 cab with the seat quite close I still have 6 inches between the top of the roof and my head :p

[YotaFun]

You will envy me when I tell you the T100 cab with the seat quite close I still have 6 inches between the top of the roof and my head :p


yeah but your wider and don't have a sunroof, us runner guys are cramped....

[MTL_4runner]

I think it would require a mini sledge and pounding down the humps in the floor. I've got a sun roof and a lot of tall friends. When they ride shot gun I have to pull the sunroof shade back so their head isn't rubbing on the roof. I clear it just fine but I'm short torsoed although I did hit my head pretty hard on my sunroof going a little too fast over some water bars in Joshua Tree.

Easiest way to gain some clearance it to take your wallet out. I won't go into the junk in the trunk explanation.


I'm 6'2 and when I ride in a 4runner with a sunroof I definately rub my head on the headliner and it's annoying as all get out. Pulling the shade back does help a bit but you still touch the edges occasionally. I've noticed the same issue in the 4th gen 4runners with a sunroof too so hopefully the new 5th gens will change that in 2010 when they redesign it again.

[CJM]

yeah but your wider and don't have a sunroof, us runner guys are cramped....


I dont like sunroofs, waste of money. Had one on the camry and I NEVER used it really, makes to much noise blasting down the hwy.

[YotaFun]

I dont like sunroofs, waste of money. Had one on the camry and I NEVER used it really, makes to much noise blasting down the hwy.


Depends on the person purchasing it, when I open the back window and the sunroof, there is no noise, on my GTI on the other hand.... murder...

To the OP, any luck trying to lower the front?
you migh thave to swap seats...

[Scuba]

What aboot taking off the cloth, Then taking a big enough chunk out of it..? A little ghetto but it might work...:bling:

[xcmountain80]

You could always removed the brackets, then reweld the mounts higher into the seat (obviously remove the cushion as it will melt or catch fire when you plasma or weld)I can't remember what mine looked like when I did the seat cushion bottom swap but I think there was room to play into the bottom of the seat cushion.

Aaron

[slomatt]

You could always removed the brackets, then reweld the mounts higher into the seat (obviously remove the cushion as it will melt or catch fire when you plasma or weld)I can't remember what mine looked like when I did the seat cushion bottom swap but I think there was room to play into the bottom of the seat cushion.

Aaron


Aaron, that's a great idea. I just finished installing my SS 1.2 lift, next up I'll check out the seats. Thanks.

- Matt