Air Ride Seats

[ENafziger]

My wife said the seat would press on a nerve right behind her knee which would make it uncomfortable and she would have to "fidjit" constantly to keep her legs from falling asleep.

That's the exact thing that happens to me... and the "butt" padding completely goes flat after extended sitting. After 10,300 miles in 25 days to Alaska, my factory seat had zero cush to it at all.

--Eric

 

[AlaskanCummins]

It's been a few days, couple hundred of miles and I'm just happy as one could be! Oo.



Speed humps are nothing, going across intersections with stud ruts in them is something I look at now as fun and I'm looking forward to some good frost heaves in the near future.



I actually can't wait to drive the truck, unlike 3 months ago when I was about ready to dump it for what I could have gotten for it.



Cheers and Happy Holidays! Oo.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Buttons & Switches

I think I can see the front switch is the bun warmer switch (round switch) but what do the rest of the switches do?





I've taken a few trips in the last few months and by the time I get back my back is killing me and since I've kept my 99 for almost ten years, Im thinking I may do these seats. Got a lot of miles to go before I get rid of this truck. Might as well have a nice ride over the next couple of hundred thousand miles. Looks to be well worth the effort & investment.



Craig

 

[mwilson]

Red Control = Seat Ride Height

From left to right

1st White Control = Seat Cushion Side Bolsters

2nd White Control = Seat Back Side Bolsters

3rd White Control = Lower Lumbar

4th White Control = Middle Lumbar

5th White Control = Upper Lumbar



All done with air bladders, very comfortable with infinite adjustments.



The Class 8 that I just drove back from New Mexico had similar settings and was very nice.

If I was to drive my pick-up 2500 miles in 3 1/2 days with the current stock seats I would be in traction right now. :{



Mike.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Thanks MWilson for adding what the controls do.



It's been a wonderful week in the truck.



I had to get used to the feel of the seat along with a few losses; one of those being the lower/bun part of the seat doesn't adjust front/back up/down as the stock seats do with the electric control.



The seat does though shift out/in a couple of inches to adjust for the length of peoples thighs, which is good.



I don't know if I mentioned that you loose your jack stowage from under the passenger seat; so I'll need to find a new home for him.



I also lost the total recline option of the stock seats.



Unfortunately this is the only style seat that National has for our trucks. I originally wanted the Sportster HD that had this doctor invented back massager and could recline all the way, but they said that it has a 2" higher ride heigth that would put you too high; out of a crash zone.



I think it has something to do with the airbag.



So far, I believe that the gains outweigh the losses and I'd definately recommend these seats if you spend alot of time in your truck.

 

[CRodi]

I realize this is an old thread, but it came up when I was searching for an alternative to the stock seats.

Unfortunately these kits are only available for 2003-2006 applications. This was confirmed in an email I received from Suburban Seating. Has any one adapted this kit to a second gen? Or even a 4th gen? I wonder if there's another application that has the air suspension base that more closely fits the second gen floor, such as the 1980-1998 Ford application? Or maybe a universal base plate? Right now my only option is to use this kit,and be prepared to fabricate,cut,weld,drill. All work on my truck gets done outside, even though we have a warm spell right now, this will probably happen after the winter.

Now for the guys that installed this kit, where did the air compressor get mounted? How are these seats holding up after a few years? Any issues with air leaks, seat controls, etc? From what I can see these are probably the best seats out there, especially for long trips, and I'm determined to install a set, one way or another.

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for listening.

 

[mwilson]

Check these guys out...

http://www.knoedler.com/index.php?o...oduct_id=29&virtuemart_category_id=1&Itemid=2

Have an integrated compressor available and will talk regarding special fitment.



Low profile air seat

http://www.knoedler.com/images/stor...xtremeLowRider-Brochure_F-B_WebRes_7.6.13.pdf

 

[CRodi]

Check these guys out...

http://www.knoedler.com/index.php?o...oduct_id=29&virtuemart_category_id=1&Itemid=2

Have an integrated compressor available and will talk regarding special fitment.



Low profile air seat

http://www.knoedler.com/images/stor...xtremeLowRider-Brochure_F-B_WebRes_7.6.13.pdf

Thanks Mike

I just sent them an email. I'll follow up with a call. I've never heard of this company. Are they anywhere near as good as National Seat? On the plus side there are a few dealers nearby. I'd be surprised to find a direct bolt in, but you never know. That would make life too easy.

 

[mwilson]

I remembered them from a old post in the 2nd Gen section. I have seen the product in heavy equipment over the years.

I'm hoping that they have figured out a way to adapt to a 2nd Gen and if not they may be a little more daring than National Seating who is now owned by an overseas concern.

Keep us posted, I bet that they can handle your request.

Mike.

 

[CRodi]

Got through to Knoedler headquarters (Montreal, Quebec) this morning. I was told I was out of luck, as far as fitment goes for a direct bolt in. No big deal. She suggested a custom shop, but I don't think that's really necessary. The suspension plate is flat with 4 mounting holes. Even though, the outboard side of the floor is 2" lower than the inboard side, it shouldn't be too hard to fabricate and bolt in a mounting surface. Once you have the seats, you'll have a pretty good idea of what's required.

She did recommend the "Air Chief-Extreme Low Rider" or "Ultra Compact" for pickup application. I think the Low Rider looks a lot nicer. By the way the passenger seat would be identical to the driver's side, in other words the passenger seat controls would be on the inboard side. I couldn't nail her down for a ball park price. Her reasoningealers are free to set what ever price they like. They're available through any Kenworth or Peterbilt dealer.

In the mean time, I'll keep an eye out for a decent price. I'll be in the Orlando, Florida area in January and I'll see if I can find something there. I'm sure US prices are a lot better than Canadian prices.

 

[SearsK]

I modified my seats on a 5500 I had a few years ago. Posted the mod with pic, don't know if they are still here or not

Kerry

 

[CRodi]

I modified my seats on a 5500 I had a few years ago. Posted the mod with pic, don't know if they are still here or not

Kerry

Thanks

I'm going to end up making the mounting plates, once I get the seats. I figure some 1/4" plate, a bit of cutting and drilling with some time and patience is all that's required.

 

[SearsK]

I found this http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/07-5-09-3rd-gen-6-7l-non-powertrain/200221-air-ride-seats-4.html

Couldn't find it here, may still have some other pics somewhere

Kerry

 

[SearsK]

Basically, I modified the seat brackets to get them as close to the floor as possible, mounted the air sys, re mounted the stock seats on top. Still had the elec seats on the air ride

Kerry

 

[JenDRoss]

Just wanted to pass a long some information here. Knoedler is now allowing the controls to be switched to the right side in the Extreme Lowrider. No more cramming your hand down between the console to access the controls. Lots of nice things about this seat including the option for an integrated compressor, heat, massage, cooling, memory foam.

In terms of the National Suspension, there are two options for the upper. The National MD seat (premium or standard) and the Excalibur upper, which is very comfortable. The Excalibur upper can also go on top of your existing manual or power pedestal as well if you don't want to go for an air ride. You can add a lot of options here too. http://www.seat-specialists.com/products/excalibur.html

My experience is that the Excalibur gives a huge upgrade to your seat without investing in an air system. But if you want to go for air, The Knoedler Extreme Lowrider is the way to go even though you will need to have some custom install work done to let it bolt down to a flat surface. It is also a great seat.
http://www.seat-specialists.com/products/knoedler-extreme-lowrider.html

For the person in Canada - Knoedler is in Canada. The way we operate is we ship the seat direct from them to you. You do have to pay normal taxes but the pricing is the same as in the US.

Hope this helps a bit! Feel free to message me with more questions.

 

[JenDRoss]

I meant to specify that the right side is only for the passenger of course....we have been asking for this for a long time, Knoedler finally agreed and created the option for putting controls on the other side!

 

[JenDRoss]

One other thing I should share - as of 2006, air bag sensors and seat belt sensors could be integrated into your OEM seat. So if you are looking at an aftermarket seat, consider that might need to be relocated or seat with to ensure your continued safety. Aftermarket seat manufacturers don't really address this issue (although we are asking them to) other than to say it is the installers responsibility.

 

[CRodi]

JenDRoss:

Welcome to the TDR.

Thanks for the updated information. It's good to see that some seat manufacturers are listening to their customers and making changes and improvements, instead of remaining stagnant with their offerings. It seems that they're starting to pay attention to the smaller (pickup and medium duty) market. I'm glad to see that Knoedler's Canadian prices are the same as the US prices and that they ship from Canada. It gives us guys on this side of the border a break.

It looks like we have a few options, once we've had enough of the stock factory seats.

 

[mwilson]

Welcome JenDRoss!!!

Now if someone would manufacture 2nd and 3rd Gen Bracket Kits for the Knoedler seats.......(Hint, Hint, Hint).........


Mike.

 

[MoparBob]

Welcome JenDRoss!!!

Now if someone would manufacture 2nd and 3rd Gen Bracket Kits for the Knoedler seats.......(Hint, Hint, Hint).........


Mike.

Don't forget the 4th Gens!