USA FG/FE Alternative OEM Seat Options?
- Thread starter MSGGrunt
- Start date
BigSkyBrad
Active member
I used similar low profile, mechanical bases for my build - Grammar DS85/MGS85 tractor/forklift ones, and mounted generic sport seats on them. So much more comfortable, we would have died of kidney failure without them.
Our (UK) RHD Fuso had a suspension seat for the driver and the standard bench seat for the passengers. I could have tried to locate a secondhand LHD drivers seat from somewhere in Europe for the passenger, but it was easier and cheaper to buy the two bases and seats, and add brackets to pick up the existing cab mounts.
Our (UK) RHD Fuso had a suspension seat for the driver and the standard bench seat for the passengers. I could have tried to locate a secondhand LHD drivers seat from somewhere in Europe for the passenger, but it was easier and cheaper to buy the two bases and seats, and add brackets to pick up the existing cab mounts.
The Grammer unit looks well built, but with shipping and tariffs the price starts to climb. I wonder how much height the Alibaba SP160 would add?
BigSkyBrad, how much height did the Grammer add? You don't find the added height an issue when driving? Of course, using a low-profile seat helps.
BigSkyBrad, how much height did the Grammer add? You don't find the added height an issue when driving? Of course, using a low-profile seat helps.
BigSkyBrad
Active member
My setup is no more than an inch higher than the OEM drivers seat and suspension base made by ISRI. The bases have three height adjustments, I've got them set at the lowest and I'm 5'9-10". My missus is 5'1" - she couldn't touch the floor with the bench seat anyway, so I made her a removable foot rest. There is a noticeable increase in weight having two bases and seats though, one can definitely feel it when tilting the cab.
BigSkyBrad
Active member
I raised my steering wheel too, or rather ditched the OEM one for a sports one with a deep boss, and a 1" spacer between the wheel and the boss. The truck didn't have an airbag fitted, so the swap was relatively easy. The steering column spline just happened to be the same as the old-school Toyota boss I had on the shelf, only mod required was mounting the brass (copper?) horn ring from the original wheel into the boss. The indicator/wiper-exhaust brake stalks are still within comfortable reach.
I was just about to ask the question about installing an aftermarket steering wheel with a spacer to raise it if leg clearance was an issue after installing the suspension base. These spacers can be had in any number of inches. What was the Toyota that worked? Just wondering what the spline size/count is. From there the steering wheel should be pretty easy.
BigSkyBrad
Active member
Unsure of the spline count, but the boss is from the 70s-80s rwd Toyota (Celica, Crown, Cressida etc) family. If you choose a wheel with a deep dish, the spacer is not required - I only used the spacer as I already had the wheel, which has been on six previous cars I've owned. OMP, Momo etc have a couple of reasonably priced deep dish wheels in the 370-390mm dia range, the 350mm size is too small for a truck even with power steering. You definitely need a sturdy name-brand wheel, as it tends to be used as a grab handle when climbing up into the cab.
I have been looking at the various low profile suspension bases, and I am wondering if the cheaper ones just have springs that cushion the ride, but no shocks/dampers to control the bounce. Some of the more expensive bases list having both, so it makes me skeptical that the less expensive ones, like the one gator70 posted, only have springs and no dampers.
A good seat first and foremost. I am looking for something a bit more comfortable than OEM and a seat I sit more in than on. Good bolsters, but not so high they make it hard getting in and out of the truck. Ride comfort will be a combination of tires, shocks and springs as discussed previously.
I kind of like the look of these seats out of a Ford Focus, made by Recaro and the grey and charcoal will go with the color scheme I have planned for the truck. The ST logo needs an FG140 or FUSO patch sewn over it. Lol...
I have gravitated away from a lot of the aftermarket seats as a lot of them have accommodations for a racing harness and I don't need that nor do I like the look. I had a conversation with MasterCraft and wasn't sold when they described their cloth option as soft and ribbed. I wanted to hear durable and Cordura or something similar. I have a set or Corbeau seats and the cloth on those is very thin, presumable because they are designed as a race seat and weight is a factor. I have not been impressed with vinyl, unless it is Mercedes vinyl, MB Tex, from the 1970's, 80's and early 90's. Seems OEM may be a good option.
I kind of like the look of these seats out of a Ford Focus, made by Recaro and the grey and charcoal will go with the color scheme I have planned for the truck. The ST logo needs an FG140 or FUSO patch sewn over it. Lol...
I have gravitated away from a lot of the aftermarket seats as a lot of them have accommodations for a racing harness and I don't need that nor do I like the look. I had a conversation with MasterCraft and wasn't sold when they described their cloth option as soft and ribbed. I wanted to hear durable and Cordura or something similar. I have a set or Corbeau seats and the cloth on those is very thin, presumable because they are designed as a race seat and weight is a factor. I have not been impressed with vinyl, unless it is Mercedes vinyl, MB Tex, from the 1970's, 80's and early 90's. Seems OEM may be a good option.
mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
)Hmm, a truck higher off the ground that requires a driver to climb up into, should not have "high bolster" sports car seats. What a pain to climb into and get out off.
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While I don't disagree, a little bit of a bolster will go a long way towards keeping me "IN" the seat rather than just "ON" the seat. I may still go with the Ford Focus ST seats, but I also just grabbed a pair of seats out of a 1986 Toyota MR2. I heard a few people have used these seats with good success and for $100.00 I couldn't pass them up.
SkiFreak
Crazy Person
I totally agree.
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