Hey everyone,
Hope this is OK to post this here. Not much of a project really but this seemed like the most appropriate place to post.
I have been researching this subject for a while now and found bits and pieces of info scattered about. A lot of the threads tended to be vague or just ended with things like "my buddy has that setup, let me ask him and get back to you" only nothing was ever posted.
Sooo, here I go. Hoping this helps others who are thinking about this swap.
First thing is yes, the rear seat physically fits in the space. However, it is not an exact fit and it does require some fabrication work. Unless someone posts up how to do it without.
The best thread I found was posted on pirate and actually showed a solution for the upper seat back latch. Not sure of the correct term. Here is the link:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-truck-4runner/1100262-first-gen-4runner-rear-seat-differences.htmlI chose a different approach as far as material, but the idea is the same.
First up was removing the old rear seat. Mine was the worst one available it seems. "Gate latch" mechanism, poor bench seat that was not going to cut it for my kids back there (ages 3 and 5) since the rear of the bench seat could be moved by hand back and forth quite a bit. So out it came
1st issue is the bottom brackets for the 2nd gen seat don't align with the threaded holes for the 1st gen, no problem, drill new holes and run bolts through. done.
Next issue was that the bottom brackets on each side of the seat did not align with the threaded holes on the body. Can't exactly drill new holes here so I oblonged (is that a word?) the bracket holes. Done.
Then it was time for the upper seat back latch. First step was to remove the rear panels. I removed them all for easier access. I located the two threaded holes shown in the thread above and started mocking up a bracket using some scrap steel. I am no fabricator and this process took me a while and a lot of in and out of the truck. I found removing the front passenger seat was time well spent. All 3 minutes of it
I finally got a design that would work and cut out 3/16" flat stock I got from the local hardware store. Cut out four pieces and welded them up. I had to put the smaller piece on to achieve the proper spacing, otherwise the upper seat back latch would not engage properly or even at all. This is what I came up with. Again I am just learning how to weld (115V/125A mig with flux wire) so go easy on me
Once I had my brackets made I drilled a hole for the upper bolt and put it in the truck. Then put the seat back latch into the receiver on the seat back and put it into the position I wanted and traced it out on the bracket. Drilled the second hole and test fit again with the latch tacked onto the bracket.
It was perfect so I took it back out, burned it in and painted it just for the sake of it.
Last step was to cut the side panels to accept the latch and it was complete. I then took the seats off of the brackets and took them out back for a good scrubbing and let them dry in the sun for two days. Put them back in and done.
Next up will be seatbelts and I already have a plan there too. I can't wait to take the kids out, they've been excited to go for months now but getting time to wrench is a challenge!
Cheers
CB