DC3
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Carl
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2020
- Threads
- 42
- Messages
- 319
- Reaction score
- 850
- Location
- Willmar, MN
- Website
- dilabs.cc
- Vehicle(s)
- '21 JT GDE Ecodiesel, 22 Polestar 2
- Occupation
- engineer
- Thread starter
- #1
From Day 1, I never loved the factory Gladiator seats, I have gone back and forth regarding airbags and ultimately decided to get aftermarket seats with side airbags. I finally got some time to install my Recaro Ergomed ES SAB seats. Airbags + Electric + comfort = Heaven. I am approaching the end of my build for my OEM+ Gladiator.
Like every other install, these are a bit more involved than I had expected. The seats are simple to install, but integrating them into the Gladiator electronic architecture is taking some TLC.
Background: Recaro does not sell airbag seats in the US due to liability/regulatory issues. I sourced these seats from Germany and had them covered in black diamond-stitched leather to match the rest of the interior. It took some time for the seats to arrive and I had to perform some repairs due to shipping damage but beyond that, I can't complain. I bought brackets from Wedge and had them lower the rear by about 1.5" (since I already had modified my factory seat height) The seats have thigh extensions, airbags, Heat, cool, power lumbar, power-adjustable bolsters, height adjustment (tilt), and power recline. The fore-aft adjustment is manual.
I removed the seat wiring harnesses and installed them into the Recaro seats along with the occupancy module/sensor, seatbelt sensor, and airbag connector. I have not integrated the seat heating controls yet.
With the modified Wedge brackets, the seats are at the perfect height and can be fine-tuned for the seating angle, something I have always missed about the Gladiator.
So far I love the seats, I am driving to Daytona in a few weeks and will get a chance to test them out on the long haul. I am sure they will satisfy. Interestingly enough, they are a very similar design to a previous Audi S8 I had, but these have way more adjustability.
Like every other install, these are a bit more involved than I had expected. The seats are simple to install, but integrating them into the Gladiator electronic architecture is taking some TLC.
Background: Recaro does not sell airbag seats in the US due to liability/regulatory issues. I sourced these seats from Germany and had them covered in black diamond-stitched leather to match the rest of the interior. It took some time for the seats to arrive and I had to perform some repairs due to shipping damage but beyond that, I can't complain. I bought brackets from Wedge and had them lower the rear by about 1.5" (since I already had modified my factory seat height) The seats have thigh extensions, airbags, Heat, cool, power lumbar, power-adjustable bolsters, height adjustment (tilt), and power recline. The fore-aft adjustment is manual.
I removed the seat wiring harnesses and installed them into the Recaro seats along with the occupancy module/sensor, seatbelt sensor, and airbag connector. I have not integrated the seat heating controls yet.
With the modified Wedge brackets, the seats are at the perfect height and can be fine-tuned for the seating angle, something I have always missed about the Gladiator.
So far I love the seats, I am driving to Daytona in a few weeks and will get a chance to test them out on the long haul. I am sure they will satisfy. Interestingly enough, they are a very similar design to a previous Audi S8 I had, but these have way more adjustability.
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