bench seat recline (yes there is a way)

This.

Great find OP.

 

Did this. Awesome! Thanks OP for sharin'.

 

Had time to do this this weekend. It works GREAT! I was planning on trading in my truck for a Subaru mainly to have a car I could sleep in, but this mod changed everything! I just used by dremel cutting wheel and opened the slot so that now it has about 90 deg of movement. Very satisfied with the results. Thanks for sharing OP!

 

Wow I haven't been on here forever unfortunately I don't have my truck anymore but I'm so glad to see this mod came handy to so many people

 

Old thread bump. Im about to do this but im nervous that it seems my seat only has one locking position. Did you all only have the stock one and for some reason after this mod gained more?? Thanks

 

From my observations, the ratcheting mechanism inside the bench seat is similar to any regular automotive seat that can recline. The only thing different is that its movement is limited by the stops. The amount of set positions depends on how far forward your seat is and how much material you cut.

Below is a pic of how much metal i took off. I'd say it's less than 1/8'' of material that was cut off with a dremel.

 

I'm new to automotive threads but when I searched "tacoma bench seat reclining" today I stumbled across this thread. And I'm so happy I did. With a screw driver, dremel, and metal cutting disk I added an additional reclining position to my '08 Tacoma in a matter of minutes. Seriously... No more than 10 minutes max and that includes setting up. The mod worked perfectly and the skill level required to complete is basically zero. Here are some pics of my mod I'd like to share. Above is the factory locking position with the slot I cut out and below is the moded picking position.

It doesn't look like much but it reclined the headrest back a couple of inches which is perfect for me. Great suggestion and so glad I decided to give it a try.

 

Very Cool

 

I know the original post is years old, but this literally saved me hundreds of dollars. Like others have said, it took less than ten minutes and I now have two locking positions. Now I can drive more than ten miles without feeling like some hunchback. So much more comfortable...

 

What an incredible difference, just did this at 1:30 am in 20 mins with some metal snips lol

 

Will be doing this ASAP!! Thanks for being this post.

 

I missed this one. Got 3 2006 trucks gonna go out and modify today. My guys are gonna love this. TY

 

I love stumbling across old threads like this! I’m losing my 2015 and may be looking at my first love- 2004 reg cab.

The question is whether anyone has done this on a 1st gen bench seat?

 

I know this is an old thread but I just recently came across it. Eh2win (op) kudos. Great, easy fix. It took me a little longer to complete the job but still under an hour. I am a little peticular so I ground 1/4 checked it, then took of another 1/4, filed it clean etc. I was hunting for bucket seats for about a year and they have now moved way down on my list! I only have the original position and a second more reclined position on my 2008.

 

So do you use the release lever to push the seat back to the new positions?

 

Yes

 

Just modded my 2010 bench seat. Thank you, thank you!

 

I did this mod yesterday in less than 10 minutes, and added 4 bolt washers under each of the two front seat bracket legs. The difference is enormous and wonderful. I should have done this 281,000 miles ago.

I do have to scoot the seat up a bit to allow enough room between the back wall and the seat-back for it to recline, but even at 6’1” it’s not horrible and I can get used to it.

But now more than ever I want a center console to rest my arm upon. I’m thinking a small Yeti cooler and let my girlfriend make a cushion to put on top of it.

Even though the OP may never see this, thank you, Sir.

 

I did this mod yesterday. It makes a huge difference. One only needs a philips head screw driver and a drill with a small drill bit to do this. Super easy and less than 30 minutes start to finish. HUGE Difference!! Thank you to the OP.

 

Does this need to be done to both driver and passenger side or just the driver?