Terrain Tamer Suspension Seats tested on a Simpson Desert crossing

Tackling the Simpson Desert isn’t something you take lightly, and having the right gear makes all the difference.

One of the standout upgrades in our 70 Series LandCruiser was the Terrain Tamer Suspension Seat. I’m always on the hunt for kit that actually improves the drive, so I was keen to see how this would hold up out in the rough stuff.

First impressions – the seat felt a bit firm and took a while to get used to. Early on, especially across those endless corrugations, it wasn’t quite as comfortable as I’d hoped. But once I played around with the weight adjustment, it came into its own. The lumbar support and the seat’s suspension really started to make a difference – smoothing out the ride and making long stints behind the wheel a lot easier.

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If you’ve got a wider frame, you might find it a bit tight. It hugs you in pretty firmly. But once you get the recline angle sorted and settle into it, it becomes a real asset, especially over longer distances.

On the run down the Stuart Highway, with the seat paired up with our GVM upgrade and parabolics, the ride was noticeably better. I did the crossing with my mate Max, and we both felt like we were floating along – a massive improvement over the stock setup. The seat offered real support and comfort, particularly once we hit the rougher patches.

The only real drawback was a slight squeak that popped up when the suspension in the seat was working hard. Not a major issue – more of an odd noise that gave the Cruiser a bit more “character.” Could be user error, could just need a tweak. Either way, not enough to put us off.

Maybe just a sign it’s time to upgrade the stereo.