1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Changing the Angle of the Bench Seat

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by n8dogg675, Aug 7, 2011.

  1. Aug 7, 2011 at 4:23 PM
    #1
    n8dogg675

    n8dogg675 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Member:
    #31913
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 Double Cab 4x4
    So after about 17,000 miles I had gotten sick of the vertical angle of the regular cab bench seat. I tried stacking washers under the front mounts as some have tried here, but I didn't like the look. I also felt like I was sitting in a giant V with my legs propped up. A bucket seat conversion would be ideal, but there is cost, parts availability, and the whole airbag mess.

    Well after reading bjmoose's thread on disassembling and modifying the bench seat I was inspired to take a look at my seat. Here is the link to the thread, a great read BTW http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...sks-why-damn-bench-seat-so-uncomfortable.html

    Tools/Items Needed:

    14mm Socket and Ratchet
    #2 Phillips Screw Driver
    Small Round File (Not Shown)
    Torque Wrench (Not Shown)
    Shop Vac (Not Shown)
    4 3/8 Star Washers
    Dremel Tool
    Tungsten Carbide Cutting Bit http://www.lowes.com/pd_73390-353-9...tURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=carbide+&page=2&facetInfo=

    [​IMG]

    Close up of the bit
    [​IMG]

    The first step is to remove the hinge covers on each side of the seat. They are held on by two phillips screws.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    As you can see the upper portion of the seat is held on by two 14mm bolts. The basic idea is to oval out the front hole and use the rear bolt as a pivot. In this picture you can see the two bolts and the near vertical angle of the seat.

    [​IMG]

    Here is the seat with the front bolt removed and pivoted back. A poor illustration of the change in angle.

    [​IMG]

    Mark the area you want to remove.

    [​IMG]

    Unbolt the upper portion of the seat and lean it forward. I had to pull up the backing of the seat unhook the black plastic protectors for the airbag wires. Also be extremely careful not to pull, stretch, or damage the airbag wires. Lastly I used some rags to protect the area from metal shavings.

    [​IMG]

    Grinding almost done. The carbide cutter works very fast, so be careful and take your time. I also reassembled the seat a couple of times during the grinding to ensure I hadn't removed too much metal. NOTE: It only takes a small change to make a big difference on the angle of the seat. When all was said and done I only removed about 3/16 inch of material. lastly, I cleaned up the hole with a small round file.

    [​IMG]

    Repeat the same steps for the other side. I used an extermely specialized tool to clean up the shavings from the seat track :rolleyes:

    [​IMG]

    I also added a star washer to the bolts to help lock the seat in place. I don't think it would go anywhere without them, but it can't hurt.

    [​IMG]

    Finally push the upper portion of the seat towards the rear and reinstall the bolts and washers. Torque the bolts to 31ft-lbs and reinstall the covers. You are done.

    [​IMG]

    Enjoy your gangster leaning beach seat :cool:

    [​IMG]

    A few final notes:
    If you already drive with the seat fully to the rear this modification will not work. There will not be any space for the seat to recline.
    I take no responsibility for any damage to your truck or yourself if you perform this modification.
     
  2. Aug 7, 2011 at 5:02 PM
    #2
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2010
    Member:
    #35468
    Messages:
    15,681
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 RC 2.7 4x4
    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    Well done! I might just remove the seat altogether and put bean bag chairs in it.images_6b58862557cd625647df23f37d37a91651daac63.jpg[​IMG]
     
  3. Aug 7, 2011 at 6:54 PM
    #3
    113tac

    113tac Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2009
    Member:
    #18439
    Messages:
    8,486
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Stephen
    Northern Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Magnetic Gray Tacoma
    Mostly Stock for now, 265 75 16 Falken AT3W, Tinted fronts...
    good write up man
     
  4. Aug 8, 2011 at 2:34 AM
    #4
    daggertats

    daggertats Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2010
    Member:
    #39720
    Messages:
    543
    Gender:
    Male
    arden nc
    Vehicle:
    2010 tacoma 4x4 reg cab
    undercover tonneau ,bug deflector, removal of all tacoma emblems added a set of component speakers behind the rear seat egr in channel window visors
    great idea.... i shall be trying this in my spare time. thanks for the write up
     
  5. Aug 8, 2011 at 5:24 AM
    #5
    AndrewFalk

    AndrewFalk Science!

    Joined:
    May 8, 2010
    Member:
    #36740
    Messages:
    2,046
    Gender:
    Male
    The North East
    Vehicle:
    2010 5 speed 5 lug
    :)
    Well done.
     
  6. Aug 8, 2011 at 6:12 AM
    #6
    puckstopper55

    puckstopper55 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2011
    Member:
    #56857
    Messages:
    620
    Gender:
    Male
    Long Island
    Vehicle:
    '11 Double Cab TRD Sport, Mag Grey
    tailgate anti-theft Map Light LED's Dome Light LED LP LED Halogen Bed Light Extra D-Rings in bed Anytime Fog Lights Tri-Fold tonnau cover Wet Ok's
    the reg cabs seat isnt adjustable?
     
  7. Aug 8, 2011 at 7:09 AM
    #7
    2TRunner

    2TRunner Snoop Dad

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2010
    Member:
    #40980
    Messages:
    4,226
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    My House Usually
    Nicely done
     
  8. Aug 8, 2011 at 7:21 AM
    #8
    n8dogg675

    n8dogg675 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Member:
    #31913
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 Double Cab 4x4
    No, the bench is a torture device designed in the late 1600's.
     
  9. Aug 14, 2011 at 12:18 PM
    #9
    weazleburger

    weazleburger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2010
    Member:
    #47924
    Messages:
    190
    Gender:
    Male
    Baton Rouge, LA
    Vehicle:
    07 base reg cab 5-speed
    nice! i will have to try this until i can locate some bucket seats
     
  10. Aug 16, 2011 at 7:24 AM
    #10
    Blueitrgsr

    Blueitrgsr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Member:
    #60495
    Messages:
    1,485
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brad
    Gainesville, Fl
    Vehicle:
    2006 Reg Cab 4wd
    Some bilsteins, OME 885's, and an AAL.
    how much does the seat angle back now? pretty drastic?
     
  11. Aug 16, 2011 at 10:07 AM
    #11
    n8dogg675

    n8dogg675 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Member:
    #31913
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 Double Cab 4x4
    I only ground away enough for it angle back a few degrees, but it makes a world of difference in comfort. The only limit to how far back it will goes is how far foward you sit.
     
  12. Aug 16, 2011 at 11:01 AM
    #12
    motoretro

    motoretro Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2008
    Member:
    #11773
    Messages:
    237
    Gender:
    Male
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    09 Reg, Cab, 2.7 Four Cyl. manual trans
    Since this is a irreversible mod, is there any liability involved? Will this affect air bag deployment, etc

    Motoretro
     
  13. Aug 16, 2011 at 12:54 PM
    #13
    n8dogg675

    n8dogg675 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Member:
    #31913
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 Double Cab 4x4
    I can't imagine it affecting the airbags. The bucket seats have side bolster airbags and they are able to recline. AFAIK the buckets also dont have any angle sensors on the seat backs to relate seat angle to deployment. However, as always YMMV
     
  14. Aug 16, 2011 at 1:11 PM
    #14
    motoretro

    motoretro Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2008
    Member:
    #11773
    Messages:
    237
    Gender:
    Male
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    09 Reg, Cab, 2.7 Four Cyl. manual trans

    I was just thinking about possibilities of movement in an accident since you've elongated the bolt hole and the only thing keeping the seat back from moving forward quickly is the clamping pressure of the star washer and bolt. It does look like a neat mod, I just wish it was reversible when selling or trading in.

    What would be interesting is if you could drill the hole out oversize and use a insert with offset hole you could spin around to get desired seat inclination. Then when you sold the truck you could replace the offset hole insert w/ one drilled dead center to gain original seat inclination.


    Motoretro


     
  15. Aug 16, 2011 at 10:54 PM
    #15
    Kelson

    Kelson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2008
    Member:
    #6597
    Messages:
    4,433
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kelson
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    08 5-Lug Reg. Cab SR5
    SR5 Exterior/Interior (Color matched Front Bumper, Chrome Grille Surround and Chrome Rear Bumper/Silver Scoshe Dash Kit, A/C Bezel, A/C Vent Surround) LED license plate and white interior lights, Wet Okole Seat Covers, iPad in-Dash, JL CL-RLC, JL 13TW5 sub, JL 500/1 Slash V1 amp, JL XR 6.5 Components, Rockford Fosgate 6X9s in Boxes Front XRunner Coils, DJM Control Arms and Rear 4X4 Leafs, Custom 2" Angled Streetacos.com Blocks Front XR Bilstien Struts and Rear XR Bilstien Shocks, CravenSpeen Antennae, RX-8 Rims w/ Fronts:235/40-R18 Sumitomo HTR Rears:245/40-R18 Goodyear Eagle GT, 35% Tint front windows, OEM Sliding Privacy Glass w/ 5% Ceramic Tint, Flowmaster Super 44 dumped before the axle, URD Short Throw Shifter, Door Sill Protectors, Door Edge Guards, OEM Sport Pedals,The Retrofit Source Morimoto Mini D2S Stage III 35W 5K HID Headlights, OEM Fog Lights w/ piss yellow bulbs, OEM Cruise Control, Porsche 944 Bucket Seats, BeefedTaco Skid Plate, Whale
    hmm...looks good. gotta do this to my new couch.
     
  16. Sep 18, 2011 at 10:21 PM
    #16
    BP348

    BP348 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2010
    Member:
    #46390
    Messages:
    75
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 DC 4x4
    you had a great idea, i pulled mine apart and decided to mod the rear bolt holes instead of the front. i used a 3/8 reamer and i just reamed downward about 1/4 inch, so stoked on the new angle, thanks for the idea
     
  17. Oct 10, 2011 at 6:12 PM
    #17
    TypeR6

    TypeR6 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2011
    Member:
    #63772
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    OC, Cali
    I just did this today, also raised the front cushion with some washers. Thanks!
     
  18. Oct 16, 2011 at 7:31 AM
    #18
    Hook & Ladder

    Hook & Ladder Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2011
    Member:
    #169393
    Messages:
    460
    Gender:
    Male
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    16' TRD Tacoma
    The project @c4_fabrication-Sliders, HC bumper w/ swing out @kb_voodoo_fabrications-Bed rack @tepuitents-RTT @cali_raised_led-Fogs, ditch lights, bed stiffeners @prinsudesign-Roof rack @kingshocks-2.5 with adjuster @totalchaosfabrication-UCA @rcioffroad-diff skid plate Follow at @wicked_overland #nacrew
    great info and a great mod to do, i hate my bench seat !
     
  19. Oct 29, 2011 at 4:59 PM
    #19
    xopher65

    xopher65 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    Member:
    #12811
    Messages:
    29
    Gender:
    Male
    Whidbey Island, WA
    Vehicle:
    2009 2.7l 5-speed 5-lug reg cab 2WD

    Here's another possibility. I just did this today. I removed the seat backto have better access, but it's not necessary. I ground out more metal on thestop that limits how far the seat can recline. Save the comments on my choice of grinding tools. My bit broke and this is all I had onhand. There’s apparently a splinedinternal mechanism that locks in addition to the tab limiting thereclining. As I ground a groove in themetal, I eventually reached a point where the mechanism locked again with theseat further reclined. It wasn’t quiteenough, so I kept grinding. I eventuallyreached a second point where the mechanism locks. So now I have the stock position, one positionmore, then a second even further. Bothsides must be ground.

    Of course there is a caveat. I disconnectthe cables that connect the release levers to each other. The mechanism on the opposite side I wasoperating still locked at the stock position, then the first position when I contortedmyself to operate both simultaneously. Otherwiseit is a two-person operation. I rarelyuse the space behind the seat. So I’mleaving it as is for now. It is so muchbetter than the stock torture position. AndI believe this will retain full strength in the event of a crash.

    As soon as I figure out how to uploads images, I'll include a photo.

     
  20. Oct 29, 2011 at 5:08 PM
    #20
    xopher65

    xopher65 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    Member:
    #12811
    Messages:
    29
    Gender:
    Male
    Whidbey Island, WA
    Vehicle:
    2009 2.7l 5-speed 5-lug reg cab 2WD
    a couple photos of the mod.

    DSCN6695.jpg
    DSCN6696.jpg
     

Products Discussed in

To Top