How to you find the seat height? Visibility + Comfort?

Hi - I currently drive the 2004 Tacoma and would like to upgrade to the new 2016. I went to test drive one yesterday and I really liked it, but, I immediately noticed that the seat felt low to the ground and I had trouble seeing over the hood.

I'm not tall but not short either(+ 5' 8"). My height usually serves me quite well fitting into clothes, boats, motorcycles, beds, etc. I'm curious how other people (of varying heights) find the 2016 seat and am wondering if there is any way to modify it to raise the seat.

Maybe it's just me. I've always put my seat (other cars) as high as possible. I like being tall and upright and close to the pedals kind of like an athletic position rather than lounging back.

I understand the 1st Gen is a much leaner truck and that I'm used to it - so maybe it's not the seat height but the size of the hood that bothers me. But when I got back in my 2004 I immediately felt like I was up higher and could see what was in front of me better. It does seem a bit absurd that you can charge your phone on a pad but can't crank the seat up a few inches.

How have you guys felt about the seat height visibility/comfort?

On another note - the 2016 felt pretty sluggish. I drive a 2.7L Manual and it felt more peppy than the 2016 TRD Sport Manual. I've also driven a 2004 v6 and that's noticeably faster than mine. I guess the 2016 a much heavier truck than the 1st gen without much more power? Or there's some delay when you get on the gas?

 

here's a mod someone posted for raising the seat height -https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/get-out-of-that-hole-diy-seat-risers.417680/

Still wondering how you guys feel about the stock seats after driving the 2016 for a while

 

I'm 5-11" and found the view fine in a '16 OR AC. Seat was comfortable for the exception of the front seat edge cutting off the circulation in my legs driving around town. It may get better as the seat cushion edge softens up. Raising the seat rear mount points may also be an option.
Whether you get the hood scoop or not may enter into your decision of what model you get.

 

Step 1 : undo seat retaining bolts
Step 2 : lift seat up and place either a stack of washers or a custom mad spacer in between seat to desired height.
Step 3 : replace seat retains bolts with new longer bolts

And there you have it problem solved

 

Having driven an 04 Tacoma in college for a year, I can tell you it is the hood that is making you feel like you are sitting lower. You can see over the 1st gen hood a whole lot easier, otherwise as I am sure you understand, the 04 seated position is not very much different than that of a 2nd gen or 3rd gen. In fact since there is more meat to the 2nd and 3rd gen seat you might be slightly higher. I never did measurements comparing the two but it feels that way.

 

I have the opposite problem. I'm 6'4'' and wish I could lower the seat! I feel like I'm sitting way up high and have to really slouch to see out of the windshield.

 

Yeah that makes sense and figured that might be the case.

 

I had a 2003 tacoma...much better front end visibility. The hood has been extended but nothing interior design wise has been done to accommodate a wider variety (size) of drivers.

 

i am 5'10 and wish i could lower the seat. i feel like it is to high. i also fell like the seat bottom is not long enough. but in the end i will get use to it and not really think about it.

 

I just traded in our 2006 4Runner for a new 2016 SR5. I am 5'6" and have no issues with the driver seat. We had Roadwire leather installed, but stock other than that... Seems comfortable and I have no issues seeing over the hood -- visibility is very good all 360 for me.

 

I just wish there was more room between the seat edge and the steering wheel... getting in can be tight!

 

From what I understand the seating position on the 2016 was raised. Any possibility of using the seat mounting bracket from a 2015 to lower the seat height?

 

At 6'0 I find the forward visibility poor. For me the roof line and rear view mirror are too low and the hood is long and tall.

 

Doesn't anyone here "test" drive their trucks BEFORE purchasing? GeeeeeeeZZZZZZZ

 

Yes. I didn't buy it.

 

I couldn't get as comfortable with the seating position in my 2016 as I am in my 2012 4Runner or 2001 Tacoma so I added 1" rear bracket spacer for $16. I'm not really short (5'9" with 31 inseam) but the change fixed seating position and improved visibility over the higher hood.

 

When I test drove a 2016 (extended test drive) I did not notice a difference in seat height between it and my 2010.

If they did raise it for the 2016 then it might be 1-2 millimeters just to say they raised it.

 

The rear view mirror has a double pivot so it can be raised up by adjusting it.

 

What good would that do?
There isn't any other options on the Tacoma. You want us to choose another inferior product from a different manufacturer?

 

Just for fun I measured the height of the front edge of the seat to the floor in my Dad's Frontier vs my 16' Tacoma.

The Frontier sits 2" higher!

I did the raise the back mod about 7/8" with a stack of washers and longer bolts and it helps, but I am making plans to raise the front and the jack the rear even higher.

I'm 6' even....

I think the basic problem is the total cab height is too small, so to accommodate as many bigger people as possible, they made the seats pretty damn low.

As a slightly taller person, I find the distance between the floor and front edge of the seat puts my knees at an awkward and uncomfortable angle.

I'm going to go for 1.5 -2.0 inches up front and 2.5 to 3.0 in the back and see how bad it looks.