Swapping Regular Cab Bench Seat (2005-2009+)

Hello everyone!

I've lurked on these threads for quite a while now, but nobody has asked this very obscure question.

I've got a 2005 Regular Cab with a 5-speed, and it's a great little truck to haul my gear in.

Driving older vehicles, I know that safety is compromised. I would feel better if this vehicle had side airbags. In 2009, they became standard on the bench seat.

My question: How terrible would it be to swap my 2005 bench (it's a little worn anyway) for a 2009+ seat with airbags? Other models from 2005 had side airbags, so I'm hoping that it would be a plug-and-play solution for the computer. I suspect it won't be this easy though.

Thanks for any guidance on this admittingly odd question.

 

Almost certain they wouldn't be plug and play, I'm sure you would need the interior harnesses, airbag module, side impact sensors, curtain, and seat airbags from the donor vehicle at a minimum.

Side airbags became standard on 2009+ Tacoma's, they were optional on 05-08 models although I don't think too many had them.

 

Wiring diagram for reference.

 

Thanks for clarifying how tricky this project would be.

I figured it was a long shot, but the bench and interior hardly appear to have changed between the years. The safety tech seems to have evolved considerably though.

I was also under the impression that side airbags were standard on all models except the Regular cab in 2005-2008. Since they weren't, the hardware would be a real pain to rig up. I also completely forgot about the impact sensors.

It looks like I will have to choose between a vehicle with side airbags that's tiny (my 07 Miata) or the Taco that's much taller but lacks them.

 

Yea not alot changed during the 10 year run of 2nd gens, some minor updates happened in 09 and 2012.

The SRS system was upgraded in 09 and also stability & traction control was added as well as an optional backup camera.

In 2012 it was mostly cosmetic changes (front grille & headlights were changed) and some minor interior updates like the addition of Bluetooth to the radio and minor cosmetic changes (touchscreen radio with optional nav was added around 13).

You can poke around through the brochures here to see what was available on each year model.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-ebrochures-2001-to-2017.486957/