Air ride or upgraded fixed seats?

[firefighter_2000]

So, I've been doing a lot of reading on different aftermarket seats available for our trucks. Specifically the national air ride seats that have recently been posted about. My question is, as far as comfort goes are there fixed seats that are as comfortable as the air ride or is the air ride seat the most comfortable way to go. I dont want to spend the money for the air ride but if its the most comfortable way to go, I dont have a problem with it.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Craig

 

[Ross]

I have a similar question. I have a 2006, and the seats are not good. I sat in a new 2011 Laramie the other day, and couldn't believe the difference. My question is: Has anybody retro-fitted the new 4th generation seat into an older, say, 3rd gen truck? Would they fit? How hard would it be to do the swap? I have not real evidence to support this claim, but my guess is that the floor pans have not changed much, so the swap might be easy.

 

[Jim W]

Sorry for highjacking your post, but this is similar to your question.



I am curious as to what is the seating issue with everyone else's seats. ?

The reason I ask is that after two hours my right leg is starting to hurt in the thigh area of the muscle. I belive the seat cushion is not extended far enough forward and is cutting into my leg. I have tried to adjust the seat position as far as tipping the seat forward /backwards, up/down and the tilt the seat back backwards with no relief to my leg.

The only thing that helps is getting out of the truck and walk for a few minuets and then doing this all over again in two hours.



Would the replacement seats deal with this issue?



Jim

 

[Ross]

Ha ha. I highjacked it first. :-laf:-laf:-laf (Sorry Firefighter).



Jim: Yes, the foam isn't thick enough and the lower frame cuts off the circulation in your thigh. Some here on the TDR have taken the seat apart and add foam and have significantly helped the problem.



Firefighter: I know that someone on here has installed air ride seats in their Ram and are very happy. They are expensive, but they like them. Before I purchased my Ram, I used a Volvo VNL semi to tow my trailer. I put new air ride seats in it (top of the line National seats, leather, all adjustments, etc). They were comfortable, and I liked them, but my wife didn't. She hated all the motion associated with them, and would lock out the fore-aft motion, and would air down the seat so that there was practically no up-down motion. I felt that I had wasted $900 on her seat, and should have bought the $200 "buddy" seat. On a semi, which has very stiff springs, and very little spring travel, I think the air ride is a must, but on our Rams, which have a much softer suspension (comparatively), I don't think they are necessary unless you have a very bad back, arthritis, or some other health condition that makes even the ride of a 3/4 or 1-ton pickup too much to take.

 

[firefighter_2000]

I know

I just know after about two & a half hours in the truck my back is shot. I dont have any back problems or anything like that, but when I drive a lenght of time my back starts to get sore. I drove from Little Rock to Destin FL without stopping and when I pulled in it took a good hour and a couple of alieve to get the back pain to stop. I moved and sat in every sideways position I could find to get comfortable. Just never happened. I made it in about 9 hours. I just didnt want to stop and prolong the trip, was just ready to GET THERE! I got a quote back from Industrial Seats for a complete setup with cloth covered seats for 1844. 80 shipped for the complete setup including compressor. Got a quote from Suburban for the leather seats for 2010. 00. I REALLy think this is a mod I want to do. I've had my 99 for ten years and plan on keeping it. Same with the MegaCab. Plan on keeping it for a long time.



HAVE thought about just getting the drivers seat air ride. Not sure if the air ride base is COMPLETLEY necessary for the passenger side. They can move around and they dont have to have their arms over on the steering wheel the whole time. SO... Any thoughts on that?



Craig

 

[CharlesHoward]

So far I'm happy with the seats, as is my spouse.
Most roads are smooth enough I don't get jiggled too much. I don't even bother to lower the tire pressure from fully loaded to empty even though I'm empty 11 months of the year (when not towing the RV).
On those that are bumpy or rolling, I enjoy the free shaking exercise that currently is a popular endeavor that people pay for the exercise equipment that shakes them...

 

[ColemanR]

Well I have a new Sportster HD by National I will be putting it in this week. I sat in it on the floor feels awsome I can't wait if I need to take pics just say so. Yes I know the HD is not recomended for our trucks as its 1 1/2 inches taller but I think the seat is better suited for me.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Looking forward

Will all be looking forward to seeing pics.

Craig

 

[ColemanR]

All I can say is WOW I should have done this 200k ago the seat alone is awsome the airride WOW I have a set of railroad tracks (ruff)at the end of my drive. What Tracks? so down the road I went found a old ruff gravel drive smooth as glass all I can say is bring on the ruff roads. Install was about 4 hours not to bad no instructions but not to difficult heres a few pics 1 of the seat,1 air gauges/heater botton,mounts for console(I built),few install pics if any ? fire a way Cheers

 

[ColemanR]

Here are a few more pics. For those wondering about the gauges 1 is for tank pressure,1 for my airbags,the switches are 1 master for my power distribution box,1 compressor,round one seat heater,1 aux hope this helps. One other thing the lower seat base is 3in shorter than the factory bottom which help the pressure on your legs.

 

[firefighter_2000]

How well do the sportster hds work in your truck? I know they don't recommend them but what is your opinion? Do you happen to have a wider angle shot of the entire seat so we can see the ride height?
Thanks
Craig

 

[ColemanR]

So far Im very happy. Ride height is ajusted by air pressure I can get it rite where I want it. It takes a little getting use to as the seat moves around a little also the bottom of the seat is shorter like I said above which feels a little strange. I have a 8k trip planned leaving here 1/17 that will be the tell tale. I aired the seat all the way up and I still have 1 1/2in clearence for my head Im 6ft. There is alot of ajustment not quite as easy as power seats but so far Im happy

 

[ENafziger]

Looks great!!!

--Eric

 

[ColemanR]

Well I spent a few hours in the truck today. So far very pleased. I let all the air out of the air ride still very comfortable would still be a great improvment over stock will have to look and see if this seat is mountable on the stock base. Im really liking the air base. My wife made a good analige(sp)a glass of water on the console vs glass in hand driving down the road. Just an FYI my wife doesnt really care for the seat but she likes the stock one LOL

 

[ColemanR]

Well the verdict is in I should have done this long ago. I used the seat with no air still comfortible but the airride is a big plus. Before when I got out of my truck my left leg was a sleep a in a lot of pain,I pulled a 5hr nonstop and was able to get out of my truck and actually walk. The seat is not cheap but if you drive alot of miles I think its worth it now we will see how it holds up. Randy

 

[MelvinPierce]

Thanks for the update. Keep us posted.

 

[sogo]

HI, Well it seems none of you have spent time driving a Semi truck for 12 to 16 hrs while hauling grain to an elevator, try it and there will be no question about air ride.

I have 1ton 4x4 HD--Pair of Bostrom seats, high back,with seat ossilation-fwd-back, takes the road chop-bucking off your back, PS. sit up,on your butt& legs-you can drive long days

 

[ColemanR]

Update

If you drive very many miles the air seat is the only way to go next truck this will be my first mod I love it 30k miles holding up great my only complaint is the seatbelt mount the seat moves and the seatbelt rubs on my shoulder course it was not comfortable before I just need to mod it. Hope this helps.

 

[Rockranch]

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[retirednak]

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