Recently drove 1600 miles across country in the FG. I was a little concerned about the trip because I've had back problems. I thought the rough ride might cause me problems. Surprisingly, my back felt really good. Once I completed the 1600 miles I went for a 2 hr drive in my dad's new Cadillac. My back was not happy in the Cadillac. I think the difference is the ergonomics of the seats. The seating position in the FG is far kinder to my back with its relatively upright position and legs dropping to the floor rather than stretched out in front.
FG comfort
- Thread starter kerry
- Start date
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
Or it could be the reverse!
You know how when people get really used to sleeping on the floor or ground for a long time, say, years, and then when they get home they can not sleep in a real bed, too uncomfortable.
Maybe that is what happened... wink.
SO where are the photos of this excursion?!?!
You know how when people get really used to sleeping on the floor or ground for a long time, say, years, and then when they get home they can not sleep in a real bed, too uncomfortable.
Maybe that is what happened... wink.
SO where are the photos of this excursion?!?!
DontPanic42
Adventurer
They are a bit slow replying to emails. I sent one off a while ago asking if they were selling seats for FUSOs here in the states. They replied that they were not. However, they are starting to sell Stratos seats for N series ISUZOs and Chevy/GMC series W tilt cabs starting in California. I have since asked if they thought that the seats for the N series as well as for the Chevy/GMC tilt cab could be adaptable. Haven't a reply on that. The dimensions for the seat shown on the website seem to make it look doable. If they could work, shipping from CA would be cheaper than from Oz.
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westyss
Explorer
just for the topic, national truck seats have air seats too, I just purchased 2 and they are around $650 and up. Like the Hackney ones, a little tricky to fit but are here in NA. I ordered them before I got much weight on the deck and now I am not 100% sure that I needed them. The ride has improved with weight, but may also be the new tires.
May have to revise my opinion on FG comfort after today. Drove the road from Port aux Chauix to St. Anthony today in Newfoundland. Had to have been the most uncomfortable 150 miles I have ever driven. Asphalt road with a good surface but there were frequent dips in the road, probably about 3 or 4 inches deep about 3-6ft wide. Everytime we hit one of them the front suspension bottomed out in the hole and then again as it came down on the other other side. Must have been about 5000+ of them in that 150 miles. Hell on man, women and machine. Don't have any idea what was causing such a bad road since the rest of the roads in Newfoundland have been pretty good. But if it had been the first 150 miles I had driven in the province I would have turned around and gone home. Top speed most of the time was around 40mph on a highway rated for 65mph. Most of the dips were visible because there were dually tire marks on the downstream side of almost every one. I'm not sure what causes the tire marks but I assume it's tractor trailer rear tires getting bounced up in the air by the dip and hitting the road, leaving rubber behind.
The irony of the day was that just before St. Anthony, there was a yellow 'Bump' sign beside the road. That bump was milder than the previous 4999 we had just driven over. I guess some highway maintenance guy has a sick sense of humour.
The irony of the day was that just before St. Anthony, there was a yellow 'Bump' sign beside the road. That bump was milder than the previous 4999 we had just driven over. I guess some highway maintenance guy has a sick sense of humour.
westyss
Explorer
aeons
Kerry, I think that you are now our prime candidate to evaluate these aeons for ride comfort. I see that the space between the bump stop and axle are so small that if more wheel travel with the aeons should work? I look forward to getting some feedback once you get them installed if you find the ride better or not, I am definately tempted to get them. On a side note, I find with more weight farther back behind the rear axle sure smooths the bounce out. I really noticed a big difference with different tires, so far tires made the best ride difference for my truck.
Yves
Kerry, I think that you are now our prime candidate to evaluate these aeons for ride comfort. I see that the space between the bump stop and axle are so small that if more wheel travel with the aeons should work? I look forward to getting some feedback once you get them installed if you find the ride better or not, I am definately tempted to get them. On a side note, I find with more weight farther back behind the rear axle sure smooths the bounce out. I really noticed a big difference with different tires, so far tires made the best ride difference for my truck.
Yves
DontPanic42
Adventurer
I have found that with the Aeons, the rear improves the most. So far it doesn't bottom out as easily as it did before and feels much more stable. The addition would probably eliminate the problem of the tire hitting the fender that Carl Hunter reported several years ago. The ride in the front is less harsh but not as big a change as noted with the rear axle.
whatcharterboat
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Hi Bruce, How's things ?
Seats and suspension bases are the same for the FG and N series. They just use a different mounting bracket kit. Kerry made his own IIRC and the ones we use would be different anyway cause of you guys having wronghand drive. You can get them with arm rests and inflatable lumbar support too.
Nope. There isn't one that's legal here for them. ISRI are great but the squab to ceiling of an FG is too close to meet our ADR. Stratos endup being even less than the stock seat so no problem.
"ADR" > Australian Design Rules.
Who in Calif sells Stratos seats?
I just picked up my Deaver front springs from the freight co. yesterday. Nine leaves rather than five, and are graduated in thickness. They should give me at least 2" more travel. I'll get rear springs made after the camper is finished and I find the weight on the rear axle.
Earl
I just picked up my Deaver front springs from the freight co. yesterday. Nine leaves rather than five, and are graduated in thickness. They should give me at least 2" more travel. I'll get rear springs made after the camper is finished and I find the weight on the rear axle.
Earl
DontPanic42
Adventurer
John,
Thanks for the info on the stratos seats. I have a couple of Isuzu Commercial Vehicles dealers up the road a piece from here so I'll contact them to see if they can get the seats from a dealer in California. According to the website (http://ltss-seating.com/dealers.html) the seats are only there at the present. Do you know if the seats for the Chev/GMC are compatible with the FG? I am guessing that thay are the same except for mounting kit. The dealer I bought my FG from also sells GMC's. They are good people to work with so if there is a way to get them sent here, they will do it.
Once I find a seat, I'll do my usual mock up in wood for the seat mount then have a friend turn it into metal at his shop. I am big with making wood and cardboard full size models. Fewer screw ups that way.
Typical Texas weather for the season here. Around 100 F plus or minus most of the month. Hotter other places so no sense complaining. My next door neighbor's daughter is down your way going to Vet School. I imagine she is enjoying your winter weather.
Earl: If you checkout the LTSS website , they have a dealer locator. Good luck.
Thanks again for the new info.
Bruce
Thanks for the info on the stratos seats. I have a couple of Isuzu Commercial Vehicles dealers up the road a piece from here so I'll contact them to see if they can get the seats from a dealer in California. According to the website (http://ltss-seating.com/dealers.html) the seats are only there at the present. Do you know if the seats for the Chev/GMC are compatible with the FG? I am guessing that thay are the same except for mounting kit. The dealer I bought my FG from also sells GMC's. They are good people to work with so if there is a way to get them sent here, they will do it.
Once I find a seat, I'll do my usual mock up in wood for the seat mount then have a friend turn it into metal at his shop. I am big with making wood and cardboard full size models. Fewer screw ups that way.
Typical Texas weather for the season here. Around 100 F plus or minus most of the month. Hotter other places so no sense complaining. My next door neighbor's daughter is down your way going to Vet School. I imagine she is enjoying your winter weather.
Earl: If you checkout the LTSS website , they have a dealer locator. Good luck.
Thanks again for the new info.
Bruce