Swapping Seats

Right now I think I have the 60/40 seats in my truck.

I'd really like to have the bucket seats, so the center console is the hard console with storage - like in my camry. Instead of the cloth arm rest that gets dirty easily.

I have the manual transmission. Has anyone done this before? Swapping the driver seat, then installing plastic center console part, easily do-able without custom fabbing?

 

iam in the middle of this swap now, i got me some T4R buckets, and i also got the T4R center console and handbrake, but i think i will be making my own center console.,

 

if u know how 2 work with a grinder, and have common sense, very easy swap.

 

I just realized that when you say T4R you mean toyota-4-runner... I kept searching thinking it was a brand.

Now I got that figured out, which year 4runners are compatible with the 1st gen tacomas? Are you changing the ebrake then too?

I just want standard bucket with center console, same brake setup on the tacoma, is that an easy swap and will any of the 1st gen (1998 to... 2002?) work for that?

 

96-2002 4runner seats are the closest to fitting into a Tacoma.

If you don't want to cut/weld 3/4 holes line up and you can drill a new one for the 4th

 

so 1996-2002 4runner or 1996-2002 tacoma, the seats and center pillar should work?

I have a manual but I just found a couple center pillar/console from an automatic, are the auto and manual compatible?

Swapping the 60 seat, to a bucket seat is straight forward just the 4 bolts, same spot? Is the center console ready to mount - are there holes/tabs in the body for it to mount easily?

Thanks for the help, would be so awesome to actually do this, been bugging for a while

 

Looks like manual and auto are not compatible, the box is different around shifter.

I guess more difficult thing would be mounting the center console/arm rest, what's involved there?

 

Remove the driver's seat and bolt in the center console. 98-00 are different from the 01-04 center consoles. They do use the same mounting holes, which are pre existing in your truck.
My 98 had the 60/40 and I swapped it for the 01-04 buckets with center console. Unbolt, bolt in ordeal

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-01-04-60-40-to-bucket-seat-console-swap.617791/

 

Thanks guys. Either way looks like I need to get a bracket to mount it, was also wondering about that.

I see what you mean about the center console - the 01-04 have better designed cup holders looks like, great tip. It also looks like using the 01-04 center console, I can use the same box console around the stick shift (manual trans)? Where as it looks like the 98-00 console, I have to get that different box...?

As far as a seat, I can use either a 4runner or tacoma, 1996-2002, SR5, prerunner, etc? (and only need to change driver's seat?)

 

Is the bottom cushion of the 4runner seats the same as the tacomas? and if so do they also have the problem of wearing thin on the edge near the door? I just thought about if they 4runner had a different design but would still bolt up to the frame of the tacoma it would be an easy swap.

 

I did a write up on this for Planted Seat Brackets a while back. The little green Std cab is mine.

https://www.plantedtechnology.com/planted-seat-bracket-toyota-tacoma-1995-5-2004-driver-left.html

 

the more we talk a out it the more complex it seems lol, just get 2000 T4R seats and try to fit them, and ul see how simple and minor adjustments need to be made.

 

96 and 97 SR5 taco seats are 'different' but most likely would fit right in to your '98 i would think so no mod needed

 

Slickyd: I was also wondering about that. I even reupholstered my current seat because it had been previously torn. I still have some fabric so may have to do the next seat I get.

Billpop and Saiko: Is a mounting bracket necessary for the seat? I was asking about mounting hardware for the center console. I'm trying to avoid 'simple adjustments and trying to fit them' i.e. drilling/grinding etc, I'd rather just have something that I can bolt right into the existing holes, after taking out the old seat.

I'd rather put in a seat that requires no "adjustment" but also trying to put in a newer seat for comfort/aesthetics, etc - does anyone know which years besides 98 bolt directly into same spot, or are there? Is there a reason several people are mentioning the 4runner seats to put in, more comfortable or something?

Tacofire98: I guess that answer's a lot - you went with the 01-04 center console, then also a 01-04 Tacoma driver's seat/bucket? So the seat bolts directly same holes, and you just had to get that rear oem bracket to mount the center console?

 

Got the console at least today from junkyard. They said it was from 2004, Now I just have to find a seat. Love all that new storage

 

I had a very badly worn and torn bench seat in the truck when I first purchased it. The 2001 Tacoma seats were $100 for the pair on craigslist so for me it was a no brainer, at that time I did not realize 4Runner seats fit in the Tacoma's. Only 2 of the 4 holes on the 2001 seats lines up and I did not want to fabcreate a seat bracket that may/may not hold up in an accident. Once the buckets were done with the planted brackets I thought I would pick up a center console as well but I actually enjoy the open space between the seats and its perfect for 2-3 ammo cans or my small coleman cooler that fits perfectly in there. The storage console you picked up looks good!

 

You shouldn’t have any drama installing the console, if the original brackets from your square cup holder console are there- just 1 in the back, you should be golden. That is a pretty clean console, good score.

 

So which seat did you use with that bracket, the 2001 tacoma seats then installed into your 96? Think somebody else said something about that, so the 96/97 seats are slightly different but the 98-04 tacoma/4runner should all be straightforward swap?

I almost bought a bucket seat at the junkyard yesterday, but when the kid was removing it from the truck, turns out it was bolted and welded to the body - looks like it was out of a car or something. It did seem like a comfortable bucket style seat though. Can many different seats be bolted to this bracket? I almost want to go get that seat still but also not sure if the wet okele seat covers will fit exactly over this seat and my passenger toyota seat. Going to get those once I get a seat, that way if any variation in cloth/color won't be noticed.

Thanks BTW! Yea washed it up good and only some minor scratches on there. May order the oem top latch part because it's little worn. Also got all the hardware, and there is a bracket for the the most rearward bolts I was able to score off the donor truck.

Artictaco: Thanks, only 40 bucks too! Is it basically the same install as Blue92's write up then?

Now I just gotta find a seat...

 

2001 Taco seats in the 96. The brackets on the 2001 did not match the 96's so I had to remove (Cut Out) the original brackets from the 2001 and bolt them on the planted brackets. Don't know anything about 4runner seats so totally unsure if its a direct swap.