Desert Does It Seat Jackers For 5th Gen 4Runner – Take your Seat Comfort to another level

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

This was an interesting one for me… most of my mods consist of body, performance and suspension changes.

Rarely do I focus on comfort when it comes to dumping even more money into my 10-year old 4Runner! However, I have lower back pain equivalent to an 85-year old plumber who still hasn’t retired.

It’s a nightmare at times and for someone who thoroughly enjoys long rides in the 4Runner, I occasionally need to step out and do some squats and stretches.

Upgrading Seat Height Adjuster For My 4Runner

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

The 5th Gen 4Runners have a variety of seat adjustments and lumbar support settings, but I still experience a bit of pain on long rides.

I spoke to an orthopedist to see what I could do outside of my daily stretch routines on long drives. We evaluated the seating I had in my office and at home and he actually had me do measurements of the leg “drop-off” (i.e., how much your legs drop down off of a seat vs. pushing into a straight out reclined position).

If you’re like me, I have degenerative disc disease in the tailbone and my first vertebrae, so I don’t want to be in the reclined position for long periods of time.

So, we looked at the seat in the truck and my doctor said, “Yep, that’s your problem; your legs are stretched out for long periods of time and you need to raise your seat up a bit. That should help.” While you can raise the seat higher in the 4Runner, it hits its max quickly so I needed to look into modding my seat somehow.

I considered adding washers between the seat’s four mounting points and use longer bolts to lift it up higher, but that just didn’t seem safe. The rear mounting points probably could work with spacers, but the front brackets are on an angle and have a little pin/rod that, one would assume, helps keep the seat from sliding. Again, it just didn’t seem like a smart move.

Then, I hit the Google machine and much to my surprise, there’s a company out there that not only sells seat risers, but they’re non-universal; they’re specific to the Tacoma, 4Runner, and FJ Cruiser.

Here is a full overview on their 3rd Gen Tacoma Seat Jackers for reference.

What are the freaking chances?

Introducing Seat Jackers From Desert Does It

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

In 2019, Desert Does It hit the scene with their Toyota “seat jackers”.

In just the past few months, they added molle panels to their catalog. If you haven’t heard of them, read below for a bit more information.

You’ll see throughout their site that their product is really marketed for people like me. From their website:

If you are struggling to find that comfortable seating position during your commute or road trip, you might be suffering from a lack of leg support… In many cases, this has alleviated lower back stress felt during longer drives.

Price & Product

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

Like we said earlier, Desert Does It offers seat jackers and molle panels for FJ’s, Tacoma’s, but this site focuses on the best of them all, the 4Runner! I guess it’s also important to note that tons of FJ parts also fit the 4Runner’s, and DDI notes that on their site.

Front Seat Jackers

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

First, they offer front seat jackers (patent pending). The front seat jackers are made of 7075 aluminum, so they’re lightweight but incredibly strong. They’re also powder coated in a black gloss finish.

The fronts took us about 8 minutes to install, it lifts the seat 1 ¼”, fits both the drivers and passenger side seats (I installed on the driver side because I don’t care about my passengers’ comfort), and while you reuse the two factory bolts, the kit comes with M10 grade 10.9 black hardware to bolt down the new spacers.

Rear Seat Jackers

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

Another thing to note is that Desert Does It also sells rear seat jackers.

Initially, I thought I would only need the front seat jackers but I didn’t want to run the risk of putting myself in a more crouched position with just the front raised.

You know your body better than anyone else, so purchase what you think makes the most sense for your desired comfort. I personally like the seating in the 4Runner as is, but I just wanted to raise everything up all around. So, we went with the front and rear seat jackers.

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

Similar thing here with this kit; it raises the rear of the seat from 1/4″ to 1-1/2″ (depending on how many of the included washers you choose to go with), fits both driver and passenger seats, the hardware is made with billet 6061 aluminum, black gloss powder coat and factory-grade 10.9 hardware are included.

Accessorize with a Multi-Mount Molle Panel

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

If you decide to dress things up a bit, you can add their brand new molle panels to both the front and the back with the added space. The front molle panel bolts directly into the front seat jacker.

The front MMP can be used with the Front Seat Jackers or available brackets.  The brackets do not require the seat height to be adjusted in anyway.

The molle also comes in a gloss black powder coat finish, made from 6061 aluminum and includes longer factory-grade hardware (class 10.9).

You can mount a variety of things from:

Option To Add a Rear Mole Panel

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

You also have the option to add a rear mole panel.

So as to avoid the repetitiveness here, the kit includes all the necessary hardware, it’s finished in a gloss black powder coat and you have all the same mounting options.

The rear MMP does not require the Rear Seat Jackers but they can be used together.

Find It Online: 

Final Review

Desert Does It Seat Jackers & Multi-Mount Panel Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

Our 4Runner has a set of Weathertech liners in both the front and back. The seat jackets do not interfere with the floor liners, but the rear molle prevented our rear liner from sitting underneath the seat without buckling up.

So, we have a buddy on TrailTacoma.com who will be installing the panel and extra washers in his Tacoma (the rear kits fit the Tacoma’s as well as the FJ and 4Runner). However, the front molle panel does not interfere with the floor liner.

These kits use all existing mounting points, there’s no drilling required and installation for all of their products is a breeze. While the kits come with detailed installation instructions, you could probably mount everything up with your eyes closed.

All-in-all, we were really happy with our Desert Does It products. They’re quality made in the U.S.A. and serve not just an aesthetic purpose, but for me personally, they provide comfort and health benefits. We’re overlanding the Oregon Trail in a few weeks at roughly 3,100 miles, so we’ll report back!

Be on the lookout in the coming months as DDI has plans to launch an in-cab/under the seat air compressor mount. They’ve released some sneak-peek previews on their Instagram page and trust us, it looks sweet!

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Andre
Andre
1 year ago

Just came across this, looking for something for my 2019 4runner, I’m a bit confused, you start talking and show a pic of the DDI seat jackers but then in the article you show pics of washers (spacers) installed. So which did you actually use?? I’ve looked at both and a lot of people say the spacers don’t work because of the angle of the bolt. But, once again looking at the pic of the installed seat jacker, I’m guessing that unless you raise the rear of the seat also the angle isn’t correct for that either.

Mark C.
Mark C.
2 years ago

Any issues with legs hitting steering wheel when getting in or out?

Jim Aenchbacher
Jim Aenchbacher
3 years ago

Your, not you’re. (Doctors’ words) Great article though.

Joseph Ryan Castro
Joseph Ryan Castro
4 years ago

I looked them up on IG today. I sent the owner a dm to ask if he’s in St. George bc I drive back and forth from Vegas to Salt Lake City every weekend. He replied and said he’s in Vegas. I told him I was in Vegas too. So I ordered and we set a meet up spot within the hour and the dude even installed them for me in less than 5 min. Awesome dude and product. Love the new ride position.

Max
Max
4 years ago

These are absolutely fantastic! I bought a set of front lifts based on this review and its like I’m driving a wholly different 4runner (2020 TRDpro).

6’3″ 34″ inseam and a body shape generally described as “missing link”

Until I installed this I was really dreading an upcoming 3k mile road trip. Not anymore!
Great write-up!

Ryan - @gibburnz
Ryan - @gibburnz
4 years ago
Reply to  Max

Ha. That’s excellent to hear. Thanks Max! We just finished a cross-country trip and didn’t feel an ounce of pain.

Bill
Bill
4 years ago

This is great thanks for sharing!!

Matt
Matt
4 years ago

I’m 5′ 11″ 32″ inseam and this was a simple install (2019 TRD ORP) that really made a difference in my legs and lower back, no problem with headroom and the MMP is an added bonus, after 3K miles I’m ready for another trip. Steve @ DDI was great to work with, service and shipping was prompt and delivered as promised. Always nice to support smaller companies that make products that work. Thanks for the great write-up Ryan @gibburnz

Steve Carter
4 years ago

I just installed front & back lifts on my 2019 TRD Off-Road Premium passenger seat because my wife is very petite and would like a better view out of the truck, and unfortunately the passenger seat offers no vertical adjustments (something I’ll never understand). The install was very easy. I installed all three shims on the back for maximum height. My wife thinks it will be a real improvement. Her feet can still touch the floor, and the extra height offers much better visibility. I tried the raised seat (I’m 6’4″) and found that I still have adequate head clearance, so tall passengers should still be OK with the raised seat. Now if only there were replacement plastic bracket covers that filled the new gap caused by the lifts! It’s not a big deal, but it would be nice to have the same finished look that the original setup provided.

Max
Max
4 years ago

I just installed the front only an took a spin around the block man what a difference. I too suffer from lower back issues and long drives have been agonizing I can’t wait to see how these will work on a longer ride. I am 6’3” and a 34” inseam with the way my seat is adjusted I have about 3” head clearance. Thank you for this article.

Albert
Albert
4 years ago

I’m very tall, and need to lower the front mounts instead. Any help for that?

Mike
Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Albert

Yes, me too. My head rubs the ridge on the inside of the sunroof unless I sit in a certain position with the seat all the way down. Perhaps the only way to increase the height of the cockpit would be to increase the space between the floor pan and the headliner.

Albert
Albert
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Yep. The rear of the seat cushion goes down pretty far, but not the front. You’re left with a pretty steep angle. I cut a piece if 1/4” foam that fits in the “bucket” part of the seat, and that helps to locate my lumbar properly, but if I could get the front of the seat to go down another inch, that would be awesome.

Mike
Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Albert

Agree, deflating the lumbar helps, especially when I wear a weapon.

Ian M
Ian M
4 years ago

I went for a 12 hour ride last week and my lower back is still sore today… not sure if thats just a function of the super long ride or if these would help. Can you share what your height and inseam is? I’m 5’11” with a 32 inch inseam,

Mike
Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Ian M

I have a tall torso with regular length legs, but have to bow my head and elevate onto the ball of my foot to get in to a TRD OffRoad at stock height. I am 6’3 with a 32″/33″ inseam. As I said above, my seat is all the way down, and the crown of my head is into the sunroof well. I am unable to wear certain kinds of hats whilst driving.

Ryan Gibbons
Ryan Gibbons
4 years ago
Reply to  Ian M

Ironically I’m 5’11” and 32”.

Ian M
Ian M
4 years ago
Reply to  Ryan Gibbons

Well hot damn lol

JawkDNA
JawkDNA
4 years ago
Reply to  Ian M

I am seeing a trend here… I also am 5’11” and 32″. These arrive on Monday (Tomorrow) and can’t wait to get them in!

JawkDNA
JawkDNA
4 years ago

NIce… let me know if these work out as I also degenerative disc disease and after a couple of hours in the 4Runner my back starts killing me. Curious if this helps the problem!
Thanks!

Ryan Gibbons
Ryan Gibbons
4 years ago
Reply to  JawkDNA

My man… we just finished that Oregon Trail trip and not once did I have any back issues. I was stoked for this article to post because I hope people (like us) read it and give this company a shot. I looked forward to climbing out of my tent and hopping bacon into the 4R every day. Couldn’t be happier.

JawkDNA
JawkDNA
4 years ago
Reply to  Ryan Gibbons

Just ordered! Thanks again for posting this!

Njeric
Njeric
4 years ago
Reply to  JawkDNA

I’m 6’ 32”inseam. Thank you so much for the info on this! Ordering today!

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