Well, I went to drive the new F150. I REALLY REALLY LIKE IT! They fixed most all the annoyances with my current truck. I love the power rear supercab windows.

However, I have a serious problem I need help with.

The seats. This was a situation in my current truck, but one I could live with. The seats could be more comfortable.

But in the 2004, I can't live with it. On my 25 minute test drive I couldn't get comfortable. By the end of the drive my back hurt badly and my leg was almost numb. It had a power seat. I needed to sit lower, but still have leg support. If I raised the front of the seat, I sat too high and my arms wouldn't rest on the arm rests. If it put the seat all the way down, my arms were more comfortable, but it really strained my legs. Either way it strained my back.

Again, I feel like i am not sitting down in the seat. And the seat bottom feels too short, no leg support. It appears there are quite a few restraint system items built into the seat so aftermarket seats probably wouldn't be an option. I thought maybe an upholstery shop could help but wouldn't know for sure unless I bought and tried. Its the only thing keeping me from buying one, I can't have a truck that puts my leg to sleep.

Chris

 

Generally, I agree with what you are saying about the seats. I am amazed by the low quality (or poor design) seats put in a lot of new cars and trucks, most are way sub-standard. I am almost to the point of making by buying decission on the comfort of the seats alone. I currently own an Avalon XLS, and it has some of the most comfortable seats around. I have looked at the Tundra Double Cab, which has some of the crummiest seats ever put in a truck.

Here are the major things missing in the 04 Ford F150 4x4 Lariat SuperCrew. Full power seats both sides, WITH POWER RECLINERS, not the current 5" ratchet manual adjustment provided. That "ratchet" adjustment makes it very difficult to get a comfortable back angle; and hense, it hurts the back. This is big oversite on Ford. And like you said the seat cushion is not deep enough. I think those two changes could make a big difference for Ford.

Chev does have the seats made correctly in the Silverado LT, big deep wide cushions, that are 10-way power on BOTH sides, in a choice of 3 leather covers all standard!

I have not yet seen or tested the new Titan in person, but form the photographs, it looks like it has full power seats, with lumbar, for both sides. They also look much bigger then the Ford Seat.

And like I said, simply forget the Tundra when it comes to the seats, even though I am a big Toyota fan.

 

i thought i was crazy but i agree, you seem to sit on the seat instead of in it. i've only had my 4x2 s-cab lariat with leather and bench seat config. for a few weeks and i'm starting to wonder if these seats will ever "break-in". my '02 gmc sierra cloth seats seem to feel better all the time!, bummer

 

My seats are awesome. Leather, Comfortable and make me feel like I'm in the truck securely. Don't know what you guys are talking about. Oh well... to each his own.

 

I am very pleased with the seats in my truck.

 

Yeah I'm sure there are millions of guys who do fit in the seats. But I don't think they had any tall or big "dummies" for their design team because the sales man who showed me the one fit really well but he was 5'8". Its such a big truck to be made for a small person. They need a big boy option!

 

Yes I agree, the seats are ideal if you are 5'8"

If you are the average guy, at 6' and 200lbs, then the seats are to short, and again the lack of the dual power recliners on a $40,000 truck is a big Ford oversight!

If you are the normal Texan at 6'4" and above 240 lbs, then you might as well sit on "Toad Stools".

I will say the fit and finish to the seats appears excellent, and overall they are still a lot better then what comes in the Tundra Double Cab, Limited.

The Chev LT still has Ford beat in a big way here, full size seats, with 10 way power both sides as standard!

The fast fix for Ford would be to make them 1" deeper, and thicker at the front edge, and add the much needed power reclinners. !!!!!!!

 

6'1" and seats are comfortable (leather captain chairs)

 

okay, it was bugging me so much, i had to get the tape measure out. my gmc sierra "sle" has the cloth seats that are 2" deeper and almost 3" wider! i don't care what anyone says, that makes a considerable difference in comfort to anyone. also has anyone noticed on the power seat option how far forward the seat will go! i can't imagine anyone that short especially with the power adjustable pedals driving this, or any truck!ford should have used some of that wasted adjustment to the back! ford needs to address this seating issue.

 

2004 F150 SEATS,

I've had my new '04 almost 2 months with aproximately 3800 mile on it.

The seats are extremely uncomfortable. It was not that noticable on the test drive, just noted the firmness of the seats.

My first and longest round trip was about 700 miles and I could hardly walk straight when I got home. The seats are way to firm. There are no springs in the bottom of the seats. Only a steel plate with about 3 or 4 inches of pretty firm foam on the top.

I love this truck but man I've got to get something done with the seats. I've got a restored 1965 F100 that is more comfortable.

Are there any of you out there that has an XLT Lariat or maybe Expedition that has the same problem?

 

If the GM seat are 2" by 3" bigger, that's pretty lame of Ford.

I'm starting to think the best option is to go with an XLT and plan on replacing the front seat with real captain chairs with armrests.

What dimensions are you coming up with for the two?

 

I love the seats and they are very comfortable for me. But, only after I adjusted the lumbar support to maximum! I am 6'1", 200 lb. I have the leather captain chairs.

Have you tried adjusting the lumbar support?

 

It sure seems to me that it is nearly impossible for any company to satisfy every customer when it comes to anything. But in saying that I've read mostly real good comments on the ford and toyota leather interiors. So it must truly be in the eye of the beholder?, right!?

FORD won the (interior section) of the shoot out in the Jan.04' Four Wheeler for there class leading interiors so no part could possibly be that bad.

 

I agree. My '04 Supercrew has power captain seats. They were so uncomfortable the dealer sent it to an upolhsterer to add cushioning. I felt I was sitting on the seat motor. Helped some but not much. Ford has a problem they are not ready to acknowledge.

 

I've had a Lariat SCab for a couple days now. With the front
leather 40/20/40. Looked long and hard for one without the
captains chairs and console.
Anyway, I find the seats to be extreemly comfortable so far.
But I carry my own bottom padding wherever I go.
Just another data-point for your consideration.

Detour