Reg. Cab Bench to Bucket conversion

So 09-10 reg cab tacomas only come with the bench seats no buckets available. Im 6'4 and 250lbs so the cab is cramped but its giving me lower back issues because i drive all the time and the seat doesnt recline. It felt fine on the test drive but after an hour of driving im ready to upgrade to a DCSB.

So i started looking into conversions but quickly ran into a road block. The weight sensor is no big deal but the side airbags which are in the seat are the issue. Im having difficulty finding a way to remove the airbag and not have the light on. I need something to plug in to delete the airbag so the light doesnt come on. Or i figured i could see how much access cab buckets with the side airbag would cost. Toyota, get this (you may want to sit down for this) want $8,000 dollars for the new seats with airbags. WTF are they thinking?

 

I know their is a way to trick a car into thinking an airbag is their when it isnt like when removing the steering wheels airbag and installing a non airbag steering wheel. Is their a way to do this for the seats?

 

I may try to disconnect the airbag and measure the resistance of the airbag unit and put in a resistor of the same value and see if the light does or doesnt come on...

 

anyone have any ideas?

 

First of all, do not meter across the air bag. You run the risk of blowing it. Multi-meters send a small electrical charge across the leads when doing the measuring of ohms, especially if you are on a "diode" setting.

Secondly, you are in virgin territory that has been discussed before of dealing with 09 and up bench seat Tacoma's wanting to convert to buckets. Others have dropped the idea for the same issues you are running into.

While there is commercial "airbag simulators" on the market, we do not know what the ohm value of the side airbags are.

What I would suggest is find like a 0-20 ohm adjustable potentiometer (do not get one with to high of a range as the adjustments become less precise to measure) and attach two test leads that can be hooked into the removed airbag connector. Slowly adjust the potentiometer until the airbag light goes out, disconnect test leads and then ohm the potentiometer and record reading. Then buy a respective 1/4 watt resistor in that value to make up your own airbag simulator for that position. I think most airbags are under 10 ohms of reistance.

If you get this figured out, share the knowledge and let us know.

Hootbro

 

good idea. I wouldnt think that (in the ohm setting) the tiny amount of current would trigger the airbag but why chance it. the potentiometer trick is a good idea but im sceptical the light would just "go out". Ill probably try it hopefully i dont mess anything up.

 

The "potentiometer trick" was gleamed from a Mazda board I visited some time ago and seemed to work for them. Most if not all air bag systems run a diagnostic on startup that sends test signals to all the various sensors and bags that then extinguish the air bag light if all is well. That is why the air bag light blinks "X" amount of times before going out.

If anything, you can play with the potentiometer at various setting and turn off and on the ignition and let the air bag diagnostic run it's course and find the "sweet spot".

 

the reason i say im scemtical is on my civic i unplugged the passenger airbag to install a new dash component and when i plugged it back in when i was done the the light came on and stayed on even when i disconnected the battery overnight! I then took the car to the dealer and they told me the light was on because the airbag was unplugged and the key was turned on. Even though i plugged it back in it didnt matter. As their safety, the airbag diagnostic system had to be reset by the dealer which made the light go out.

 

Well if your fears are founded, then I guess you have no business even messing with this.

Here is a link to the 2006 service manual. You maybe able to able to get the "warm fuzzy" answers you are looking for. Best of luck to you.

 

Thank you but no warm fuzzy feelings. looking at the airbag system there arent any on the bench seats of an 06 so i fear the system is different. i may just try the potentiometer trick or be like everyone else and give up

 

Well if you make any headway on this, be sure to share the knowledge with the board. I am 6'4" also but weigh 295lbs. I have no issues with the seat on long drives but can admit "better" is needed.

 

i have a pinched sciatic nerve so i need good lumbar support or my back kills me. the lack of reclining causes me to slouch which is no good. Buckets are always more comfy to me anyway.

 

Yoytoda,

I am looking at getting buckets for my '08 Reg. Cab (no seat airbags). What seats did you go with and how did you deal with the weight sensor?

 

Didnt get seats yet. I was told you may be able to just take the weight sensor out of the stock seat and put it in the new seats. I was planning on getting buckets out of another tacoma with the sensors already installed. I just couldnt find 09-10 bucket seat with sensors and airbags out of a AC or DC

 

If any of you decide to swap to buckets I would be interested in trading for your bench seat. I want a bench seat in mine... just seems more like a truck with bench seats to me. So if anybody is around the East Tennessee area decides to swap let me know!!!

 

I bought an obus forme back support, it makes a big difference. The bench seat in this truck is the most uncomfortable seat I've EVER sat in. Absolutely terrible.

 

I'm from Washington state but id be interested if you are still willing to swap

 

I had an 09 RC and tried the swap. Not only would the electronics not swap out, the seat belt receivers on the buckets would not accept the RC buckles - they were wider.

I decided it wasn't worth the trouble, and traded for an AC.