New 1st Gen owner, exp issues w CS locks & driver recliner

Hey thanks for having me onboard!

I just bought a 02 pre-runner v6 3.4L double cab, this is my first time owning a Toyota! I rolled my Frontier of 11 years in June, and the Tacoma is my replacement.

While structurally & mechanically intact, I am having some random issues with the child-safety locks in both back doors, as well as with the reclining mechanism on the driver’s seat (not good or safe!).

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know! TIA

> the child safety locks are not staying “locked”; there’s the little toggle switch inside the back door, and regardless of whether it’s up or down, sometimes, after opening the back door and then going to shut it closed, the lock engages in locked position, so that the door awkwardly bangs on its latch, and I therefore have to manually push the lock back up into its hole. Then the door will shut properly. Both back doors do this; it’s annoying AF. One time I couldn’t get the door lock to go back up into its hole, and I had to bunjee-cord the door shut until I got home, doused it in WD-40, then it was able to shut. Any ideas?

> the previous owner was a large heavyset man, and the drivers seat, while it will recline when the lever is pulled, the seat back will not properly latch into the desired position. It will fall back & latch into the gangster-lean position the previous owner must’ve used. I don’t want to have to buy and entire new seat; I live on Maui & there are no junk yards on island, shipping costs are exhorbant at best -IF you can find someone to ship you what you need. From what I can tell, the little wheel with the teeth needs replaced as well as the long spring. I’ve been searching online to located these parts but having no luck.
Ideas and suggestions welcomed!

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Did you ever fix the seat? I’m having the same issue