Seats & General Comfort

[rmd]

Hi guys,
Took my wife for a rather long highway ride in the 2004 defender 110....
I consider the ‘ol Brit quite comfy, she does not!!!
Does anyone know if the seats from a newer model will fit the 2004?
I’m planning on resomatting the interior and rebuilding suspension etc.
what else should I do?!
Cheers - Rhys.

[trout1105]

Hi guys,
Took my wife for a rather long highway ride in the 2004 defender 110....
I consider the ‘ol Brit quite comfy, she does not!!!
Does anyone know if the seats from a newer model will fit the 2004?
I’m planning on resomatting the interior and rebuilding suspension etc.
what else should I do?!
Cheers - Rhys.

Buy a Disco [bigwhistle]

[manic]

Seats in the disco are not as good - too soft! [emoji16]

Puma seats fit older defenders. Difference is the headrest, and some are heated.

Yours might be uncomfortable because of foam collapse. You can get replacement foam/trim kits.

Alternative is a plush set of Recaros for Defender, check ebay, they look comfy but Ive never sat in one.

[DiscoMick]

Pumas do fit, I believe, but they are quite firm.
We trotted off to Autobarn and bought padded seat covers. We also have sheepskin covers.
Springs and tyre pressures also make a difference.

[travelrover]

Seats in the disco are not as good - too soft! [emoji16]

Puma seats fit older defenders. Difference is the headrest, and some are heated.

Yours might be uncomfortable because of foam collapse. You can get replacement foam/trim kits.

Alternative is a plush set of Recaros for Defender, check ebay, they look comfy but Ive never sat in one.

I’m not so sure seats will make a huge difference, the ride is all part of the Defender ‘experience’ in my opinion. 110 much better than 90 too.

Many years ago I had Recaro seats in a two door Range Rover, and while being very comfortable and supportive they were a magnet for thieves and I had two sets stolen. Insurance company not impressed, nor was I! They were ridiculously expensive back then (in the 80’s) not sure what the go is now.

[ezyrama]

Hi guys,
Took my wife for a rather long highway ride in the 2004 defender 110....
I consider the ‘ol Brit quite comfy, she does not!!!
Does anyone know if the seats from a newer model will fit the 2004?
I’m planning on resomatting the interior and rebuilding suspension etc.
what else should I do?!
Cheers - Rhys.

Puma seats and a set of mulgo seat rails for more leg room. works a treat.

[Mick_Marsh]

Replace the coils with air bags.

Didn't Steve do this on his 130?

[DiscoMick]

Puma seats and a set of mulgo seat rails for more leg room. works a treat.
Definitely agree about the seat rails - I couldn't fit in our Defender without them.

[Zeros]

Puma seat backs are higher and more supportive than earlier Defender seats. The seat base is the same - the squab is a bit short, I reckon it's ok. Some don't like the upright position, but it's the best for long kms imo. Recaros would be great but they are also firm. Disco or Rangie seats would be more lounge-like if that's what she's after. Anyone put a Disco seat in a Deefer? Or too big?

[Homestar]

I put old defender seats in my 101 for the comfort of SWMBO compared to what was in there, so it’s all relative. 😉

[Wicks89]

What's her issue with them? Too soft? Too upright? Too hard? Too hot?
For heat I went with beaded seat covers, best thing since sliced bread as they actually work and promote airflow.

Don't forget passenger seat is probably in better Nick than driver's seat because of the same issue (whinging passengers). Might be worth getting some longer seat bases from exmoor trim if you aren't a millionaire. A set of scheelmann seats is like 1700 each. Any custom seat is comparable.

Or you could go full custom and put disco seats or something in there.

[timax]

I have Puma seats in mine also. Find that raised 25mm helps big time. Im 6'2" and dont find i need the seats back for a comfortable and correct driving position. Wheel falls into my lap nicely.

[barney]

How does she normally travel? seat semi-reclined, feet on the dash board? Aint going to happen in a defender.
I find the defender seats very comfortable to drive in.
You could put it this way, the driver's welfare is paramount. If the driver is comfortable and not fatigued, there's a better chance of arriving alive. Get her a cushion.

[only1]

[QUOTE=rmd;2745449]Hi guys,
Took my wife for a rather long highway ride in the 2004 defender 110....
I consider the ‘ol Brit quite comfy, she does not!!!
Does anyone know if the seats from a newer model will fit the 2004?
I’m planning on resomatting the interior and rebuilding suspension etc.
what else should I do?!
Cheers - Rhys.[/QUOTE

I went recaro's as the puma seats are too short in the seat area. We then did a 4000 km trip and really enjoyed ourselves. They are not cheap but the wife says they are definitely worth it.

[dromader driver]

[QUOTE=rmd;2745449]Hi guys,
Took my wife for a rather long highway ride in the 2004 defender 110....
I consider the ‘ol Brit quite comfy, she does not!!!
Does anyone know if the seats from a newer model will fit the 2004?
I’m planning on resomatting the interior and rebuilding suspension etc.
what else should I do?!
Cheers - Rhys.[/QUOTE

I went recaro's as the puma seats are too short in the seat area. We then did a 4000 km trip and really enjoyed ourselves. They are not cheap but the wife says they are definitely worth it.

Wondering what model Recarro you went with? In same situation needing to replace collapsing seats

[DCX15Y]

Buy a Disco [bigwhistle]

Has anyone tried putting Defender seats in a Discovery?

[Meerkat]

Many defender owners have been down this path all defender seats are interchangeable, I put Saab seats in the front then pulled them out as they were too high. I then reupholstered the original seats and put lumbar support and am very happy. I also put Renault scenic seats in the rear they are fantastic

[adnic]

The disco 1 seats will go into the defender but require the extended rails and a set of high tensile riser nuts to lift it enough to still access under the seat for ecu. Very comfy but needed certification to pass rwc.

[sako243]

Well I've gone to one extreme and fitted a set of seats out of an L332 into my 110 (including the rears). Just need to wire in the TVs and heated seats...

[Classic88]

How does she normally travel? seat semi-reclined, feet on the dash board? Aint going to happen in a defender.
I find the defender seats very comfortable to drive in.
You could put it this way, the driver's welfare is paramount. If the driver is comfortable and not fatigued, there's a better chance of arriving alive. Get her a cushion.

I find it terrifying when I see front seat passengers with their feet on the dashboard. The injuries resulting from an airbag deployment in that scenario are horrendous.

[tacr2man]

I find it terrifying when I see front seat passengers with their feet on the dashboard. The injuries resulting from an airbag deployment in that scenario are horrendous.

You are right had to attend accident on GNH where woman passenger was traveling with feet up
both femurs were pushed thru hip cracking pelvis socket , and left lower leg fractured in two places.
It was nearly two years untill she could walk unaided, she was lucky to even survive,the damage.

[tacr2man]

Hi guys,
Took my wife for a rather long highway ride in the 2004 defender 110....
I consider the ‘ol Brit quite comfy, she does not!!!
Does anyone know if the seats from a newer model will fit the 2004?
I’m planning on resomatting the interior and rebuilding suspension etc.
what else should I do?!
Cheers - Rhys.

You don't say whether its just the general ride or/and the actual seat that is problem ,
If both then fitting new seat foam makes huge difference , if you go local for foam get them to build before you cover and get wife to test sit on it so they can "tune" foam density etc to suit .
New good quality gas shocks, also make big difference to oe or old .
Tyre pressure should be adjusted to suit load at the time , if you are a bit lazy and just leave at full load pressures the ride is a lot harsher . This makes more difference than springs , but also if you have hd springs fitted and run light there is not much you can do. one way to overcome this is have light springs fitted and fit inter-spring airsprings which are air adjustable to handle the occasions when you need to load up.

[rmd]

Hi Guys,

Wow lots of useful information, I think her issue is the width of the seats, and hardness.

Have decided to:
- Purchase new foam and covers for her seat.
- New shockies & bush kits all around
- Resomat sound proofing - all around & under bonnet.

See how that works!!

PS, I don't let anyone put their feet on the dash, being a Paramedic I have seen the outcome post MVA more than once...

[manic]

PS, I don't let anyone put their feet on the dash, being a Paramedic I have seen the outcome post MVA more than once...

I thought it was airbags that caused the horror damage with feet on dash?

[PAT303]

Hi Guys,

Wow lots of useful information, I think her issue is the width of the seats, and hardness.

Have decided to:
- Purchase new foam and covers for her seat.
- New shockies & bush kits all around
- Resomat sound proofing - all around & under bonnet.

See how that works!!

PS, I don't let anyone put their feet on the dash, being a Paramedic I have seen the outcome post MVA more than once...

Before you buy go through the British sites,there is a multitude of seat options. Pat

[DiscoMick]

No airbags in a Defender.

[weeds]

Before you buy go through the British sites,there is a multitude of seat options. Pat

Pat, you got some links to other option.....my bride is wanting better lumber support.

[weeds]

Well I've gone to one extreme and fitted a set of seats out of an L332 into my 110 (including the rears). Just need to wire in the TVs and heated seats...

Sounds interesting....do you still have the start battery under the passenger seat??

I’m thinking about relocating the start battery to give more seating options.

[rmd]

I thought it was airbags that caused the horror damage with feet on dash?

Dependent on the level / type of impact & dash disintegration, there can be a number of pelvic, KOF, or femural bone injuries. Think of worst case, if the legs are straight and knees locked the force will travel down the legs, and has to come out somewhere....
Airbags are super awesome if 'used' properley, ie. seat belt on, person sitting corectly... etc.

[PAT303]

Pat, you got some links to other option.....my bride is wanting better lumber support.

I like these ones. Pat Extended Defender Seat Base | Exmoor Trim (https://www.exmoortrim.co.uk/extended-defender-seat-base.html)

[Vin Rouge]

I bought good quality sheepskin covers and put a 50mm piece of foam between the existing seat and the cover. Both the driver (me) and passenger (my wife) were comfortable using it every day during our five month trip around Australia. Recommended and easy to do.