Over the course of the 5 months and 17,000 miles I have put on my pickup, I have grown to hate these infernal seats more and more each time I sit in them. My plain jane 98 Chevy Cheyenne with split bench, coarse cloth, and no console seems like a La-Z-Boy compared to this! I have read of some foam being added and the like, but what are some good options to make the seat:

A) more plush and cushioney
B) get rid of the irritating hump that is the lumbar support.

Is there anything I can do as far as approaching the dealer on this matter? The seats clearly have gotten more and more uncomfortable as time goes on. If not I need ways to make it more comfy. I know a lot of us are in the same boat here and maybe there is something we can come up with if we put our heads together?

 

I finally had some foam added. They put some high density stuff under the seat to build it up. I just did the driver side to try it, cost about $70.

Before it did this, I would go right thru what little pad there was and sit directly on the metal frame. ouch. I could hardly drive after about 1 hour. I recently took a 4+ hour trip, and it was much improved. I can still feel the frame, esp toward the back, but I only had some minor discomfort after maybe 3 hours. After that time, I would usually stop and take a break anyway, so it is much better.

Still, it's less than desireable. I was thinking of trading in on an 05, but it won't happen unless I can verify that the seats are better, otherwise I'll wait longer and see what happens in 06. It's really a shame, I love the truck, but the seats are really unusable.

It sound like there may be different levels of consistancy or foam in different tucks as some people have expressed they really like the seats. Although, it is probably dependant on the weight= padding of the driver. I'm 180. Good luck.

PS: My lumbar support in the Laramie is adjustable, therefore not a problem. However adding the foam does raise the seat up a bit higher, so it may screw up your lumbar more if yours is not adjustable, or at least lower the point where it bothers you.

 

Beavermike:

I thought that the Laramie had leather seats? The posts that I have read about the seat problem always involved the cloth seats. I feel for the guys with this problem. I'm very sensitive to seat problems - especially with sciatic problems. My truck is an SLT but I got the leather seats. Seats are nice and firm. I weigh 193 - no problems. I've had more comfortable trucks, but I'm satisfied with the leather in this one.

Ron

 

I agree. The cloth seats are the worst. I have driven across Canada twice in my truck and after 8 hours they are impossible. It is posibble to buy Recaro seats as they are probably the most comfortable, but very pricey, and Recaro does not make an adapter for the truck only for Grand Cherokees. However on their website they list models for which Recaro's are OEM and Saturn is one of them.

www.recaro.com/englisch/index_frames.html

I used to have them in my VW and they are very comfortable, but the cheapest way to get them is wrecking yards and eBay also the adapter rail would have to be custom made.

 

i have to say the dodge seats are very uncomfortable.

atliest mine, i got the leather in mine.

the head rest = disgustingly hard

im serious ill lay my head against it and it feels almost like its against a block of wood!!!!

BUT it seems like my seats had a bit more packing into them... they are very hard to push in etc.

but as they are getting worn in finally after 6,000 miles on the driver side, the driver side is finally... feeling like its forming more

the passenger side is still ... rugged heh, ive never sat in more tough seats than these bad boys.

ive actually been considering ripping out the stock padding and putting in some extra heavy seat foam which i use in restoring my muscle cars i work on from time it time, now that stuff is super comfortable.

 

man the 04 1500 i had, had the cloth but it wasnt prem cloth. The 04.5 i have now has the premium cloth and when i sat in it i just about rushed for the chiropractor. i thought the lumbar was on full hardness, then i try to twist the thing and it was on the softest it gets

ive been getting used to it though. its still pretty tough but im adjusting to it.

 

I know what you mean on the lumbar...I always think it is way cranked up but its all the way down and still sticks out too far. I think the leather seats I had in my F350 Lariat are about the only things I miss about that truck, well that and the exhaust smelled like a diesel truck instead of a propane forklift.

I have to do something, I have resorted to hauling pillows around on long trips to put under my butt and behind my back, and that's ridiculous considering the cost of this truck.


Did anyone have any input on approaching the dealer regarding this?

 

how about some feedback on the 2005 s are the seats any better? Im thinking of getting one but maybe i better hold off if the seats are that bad

 

how about some feedback on the 2005 s are the seats any better? Im thinking of getting one but maybe i better hold off if the seats are that bad

 

if you get an 05, avoid the premium cloth and you will be fine. the regular cloth is perfect, but the prem cloth (power drivers seat) is terrible

 

I have the premium cloth in mine. I love my driver's seat (I believe the lumbar support is all the way out)... but I feel sorry for the passenger...

 

i drove a few 05's the other day they were all leather and all seemed skinier than my 04.5 but i have prem cloth, BTW i weigh 195/ 6.1 & the 05 felt tight the butt

 

I have to agree with you guys, the drivers seat lumbar all the way in feels like I'm sitting with my back arched.

I like the passenger seat without the power and lumbar foolishness better than the drivers seat. I've thought about going to the wrecking yards and trying to find another passenger seat.

I liked the seats in my '00 Silverado. I may look into getting some Chevy/GMC seats out of the wrecking yard.

 

I'm surprised all you people hate these seats. Despite the fact that my back is completely screwed up (almost no cars are comfortable for me), this is the most comfortable vehicle I have to drive by a long shot. I do 1000+ miles in a day with these seats no problem, and I love them. I have an SLT with the "Premium Seats." I wouldn't want to change them. My mom (same back problems as me) loves them, too.

I wouldn't change these seats at all. They're great.

 

I couldn't take the lumbar either and ripped the seat out of the truck after 200 miles. The lumbar adjust consists of a plastic strap which shortens and lengthens when the **** is rotated. I just cut the strap and lengthened it by 1.5" so the lumbar retracted further back into the seat. It took me about 2 hrs from seat out to seat back in. It worked great and no problems since.

If anyone is interested I can email photos of the seat innards and my fix.