Softer riding seats... Again

[firefighter_2000]

I posted a while back about the air ride seats. That link is here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ons/226837-air-ride-upgraded-fixed-seats.html



I STILL just cant bring myself to spend two grand on air ride seats for the truck.



I spent about 3 hours straight in the Mega last weekend (and three hours back home) and by the time I got to my destination each time my back was hurting pretty bad #@$%!. My butt doesnt hurt since I added the foam to the bottom of the seat.



Im wondering now if there's something I can do to make the ride or my back better. My back just cant take it. I did replace the lumbar support and it doesnt help either. I've SERIOUSLY thought of getting rid of the truck because the ride sucks SO BAD. Has anyone completely removed the bottom foam and replaced it with something different that would absorb the bouncing any better. Anyone have any ideas? Im willing to try just about anything.



All ideas are appreciated.

Thanks

Craig

 

[Bob4x4]

Sounds like maybe repairing the suspension to give you less of a pounding would be the way to go

 

[mwilson]

Firefighter,



Silly question, but gotta' ask.



Are you taking your wallet out of your pants pocket before you take off, assuming that you carry yours in a back pocket??



If I don't do that I suffer the same symptoms as you after a couple hours of driving.



Wallet out makes it a little more tolerable.



I have already added the extra padding but the wallet seems to knock my spine out of whack in that particular truck.



I can drive anything else in my little fleet with no issues.



Air ride seats are still in my near future, just had to postpone the purchase until this fall.



Mike.

 

[ColemanR]

Still loving the AIRRIDEOo. Oo. Oo. Yea its alot of money but it was well spent will do it on my next truck ASAP.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

I'm with Coleman on this one!! I installed the light duty ones (Coleman installed the HD's) and that's the only thing I wish I'd have done different - went HD's instead of LD's. I was worried about height, but I believe that it'd have been fine.



Or, you could try this.....



I was thinking about making a set of air ride springs this winter for the front end - I saw pictures of Keldermans kit and it looks pretty straight forward. Weekend in the shop with steel/welder and patience and I think they'd be pretty skookum.



Or, you could just buy the 1200 dollar kit. Little bit more than half the cost of seats, but it might make the truck ride better.

 

[seafish]

OK, since you asked...

I have used one of each of these for several years now on the drivers seat of my 2005. I had bought the gel seat pad first and liked it so much I decided that I would give the back support (which is NOT gel, but uses steel braces with a quality foam overlay) a try.

I have NEVER looked back (pun intended)... I literally can drive for HOURS without getting out (except of course to p).

When I get to my destination, my back, hips and legs are rested and comfortable, NOT sore and tight. I DO drive with the seat a little more reclined back then I used to because I like to lean back into the support. I don't always lean my head back into the neck pillow, but is REALLY nice to have it there for longer distances and is easily adjustable.

The covering on the gel seat pad is just now getting a little worn, but the back support and neck pillow look and work just like new.
I actaully don't even think they look funny in the drivers seat, but that's just my aesthetic opinion.

I should add that before I got them, I was experiencing back and sciaitca pain from years of carpentry that used to be exaberated by sitting and driving, and these supports, in conjunction with each other, totallly helped me out with the pain and discomfort, at least from driving.

Amazon.com: Obus Forme Gel Seat: Health & Personal Care

Amazon.com: Obus Ultra Forme Lumbar Support Backrest, Small: Health & Personal Care

Amazon.com: Fleece Car Neck Support Pillow With Headrest Strap: Automotive

Likely if you buy it from Amazon, you can return them if you don't like them.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Wallet out

I've had the suspension (springs & shocks) checked recently and everything is in good shape.



I did remove my wallet (as I usually do) when traveling very far.



Im wondering if I had the rear seat motor repaired if I could adjust the back of the seat higher(or lower) to change the angle of the bottom of the seat. It just really gets me that I spent the money on this truck and the ride is so bad. I'd love to add the air ride seats, but just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money right now.



Craig

 

[bigkavr]

Firefighter, I too didn't want to spend 2K on seats, so for 5 years I suffered with the stock "seats" (I use the word seat loosly). In January I bit the bullet and got the National air-ride Seats for my dodge. I should have done this 5 years ago!!! My back had been broke in three places from a vehicle accident years ago and more recently, I had to have three verts fused in my neck due to a fall on a roof during a chiminy fire. So to say I'm a poster boy for re-build backs is an understatement. Anyway, the air-ride seats are fantastic, no more pain and I can drive for 24 hours with no more than pee and fuel stops. The only downfall to these seats is that they are not "get in and say ahhh" comfortable. You don't sit down and get that feeling of "wow, I'm in my easy chair". It's funny,but in a way, these seats are just a little bit uncomfortable, but 100% supportive where they need to be. My last 2,400 mile trip before the air-rides, i had to stop every 2 to 3 hours because of the pain, no joke!! Now, I only stop to pee and get fuel (and as all of you have probably figured out, I generally travel alone... )

My only misgiving is that I didn't get the HD seats. They are about two inches wider (I think) and that would have been a little nicer for someone who's 6'3", 260 lbs.

From one fire brother to another...

 

[HHhuntitall]

For me, it's all about adjusting the seat while driving. I have to change positions regardless of what I'm sitting on. I'm up around 280lbs, only 10-20 overweight, so I'm a big guy, and I'd like to consider myself in decent shape, but even in my KW with the Bostrom air seats I have to either let it down, up, or get out and walk around to let my joints loosen up after 4-6 hours. In my Dodge, I adjust it forward, back, lean it forward, let it down, etc. to prolong my having to get out. It has more adjustment in more ways, so it seems better for me, plus I don't have to strain my back to reach the clutch on starts like I do in the KW(it's an old W900E, no studio cab, so seat's a bit close to the clutch for my long legs).



The gel seat seat pads above look interesting... ... the foam pads get too hot in the summer for me... .

 

[Silver Ratler]

Craig;



I feel your pain! Like bigkavr I have some back issues. We tow a 34ft fifthe wheel RV with our 01 3500 and it has gotten to the point that I can only go about one hour then have to stop and move around..... It is worse without the trailer. Checked into the air seats, but, the 01 has the seatbelts built into the seat which nixes that option.



We love to RV and I do not want to go to a motorhome so my only option seems to be a new truck! I have 4 fused cervical vertebrae and a year ago I had a 6 level lamonectomy performed so, I am seriously considering selling the CTD and picking up a used Freightliner Sport Chassis, which would give us air suspension and seats. This seemed like a very expensive alternative until last week end when we stopped and looked at the stickers on new CTD pick ups... ... Mega Cab, short bed $58k, and I still wouldn't be comfortable!



If I was in your situation... ... . I would go for the replacement seats in a heart beat..... much cheaper than my options

 

[bheiting]

I'll say it again. For about $40 you can get - at least the last time I checked - a memory foam seat cushion from footsmart.com. They're very comfortable. A little stiff when the temp. drops below freezing, but it doesn't take long for your rear to warm it up. They also keep the upholstery looking like it just came out of the show room.

 

[Andres]

I took SeaFishes lead and ordered the OBUS cushion, I have a 10 day 4K mile trip coming up - it is worth the try.



Ill report back.

 

[seafish]

I took SeaFishes lead and ordered the OBUS cushion, I have a 10 day 4K mile trip coming up - it is worth the try.



Ill report back.

Please do... I'll be curious to know what others think.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Suburban seating

Just wonder if these would be any more comfortable than what you have now SilverRattler. Im looking more for my mega cab, but if you're wanting to hang on to your truck, this might be something you want to check out.

Craig



Classic Intergrated 40-20-40 pick up truck seat

 

[LBARTLETT]

I wonder if you could place the Arbus devices under the seat covers or do they need to move around some

 

[seafish]

I wonder if you could place the Arbus devices under the seat covers or do they need to move around some

I have often thought that you could use the Obus Gel seat UNDER the seat upholstery (instead of the foam padding that people are adding), BUT you would have to place it and SCURE it carefully so that it does NOT move... they have a butt shape form to them that you want to sit on. Occasionally, every few weeks) mine slips UNDER the Obus lumbar support about 1/2" and I have to readjust it forward to be perfectly comfortable. NOT a big deal...

 

[LBARTLETT]

on your advice seafish I just ordered a set for my wife, she's only 4'11" so I ordered the small size



she gets along in her megacab laramie ok but hates my 06' without a power seat on her side, well see how the seat and lumbar support work for her



the fleece neck support was maybe a waste of money as the crook of her neck is where Mr. Pistol, our toy chihuahua rides so he can look out of the window

 

[seafish]

on your advice seafish I just ordered a set for my wife, she's only 4'11" so I ordered the small size

she gets along in her megacab laramie ok but hates my 06' without a power seat on her side, well see how the seat and lumbar support work for her

the fleece neck support was maybe a waste of money as the crook of her neck is where Mr. Pistol, our toy chihuahua rides so he can look out of the window

Again, please let us know what you/she think about them... for me they are extremely comfortable, and I think that they would help alot of people out. Some might only like the gel seat cushion, but I htink that anyone with a bad back would also likely enjoy the lumbar support and neck pillow (unless they have a small, soft furry dog like your wife. )

 

[ColemanR]

The gel seat pads are really good I've had one for a couple years it really helps but I have to tell you my HD seat is the SH-T airride/airmassage side lumbar my wife and I just made a run to LA Cal. and back to Oregon I was watching my wife in the pass seat she now wants one on her side LOL. The other thing I realized after reading this new post is. I have not been to a chiropractor since I installed my seat. I was going twice a month. If I'm ever in your area Firefighter I would be more than happy to let you drive my truck to check it out. I know I thought about this for 4 yrs to long. but we are all differant. I wish I could have driven somebodys truck I would have done this earlyer.

 

[firefighter_2000]

I'd love to

I'd love to give them a try sometime if you're ever in the Arkansas area. I may try one of the obus pads and one of the lumbar ones as well... I LOVE my truck with the exception of the two problems. The seats, and the a/c doors (got the heater treater doors in just been to freakin hot to work on it. I've thought of just biting the bullet and having the local dealer do the work. If I can get the seats more comfortable, I'll keep it.

Craig