Convert a non 60/40 back seat to 60/40?

[davemn]

Am new to forum and just picked up a 2002 Corolla S without 60/40 fold down rear seats. Do any of you know if it is possible to convert? Perhaps pick up a used one?? Thanks for your thoughts and comments. Dave

[falnfenix]

i don't think anyone's tried it, honestly. if you were to do so, you'd lose the black bench seat...do you really want to do that?

i'm sure it's fairly easy to do, since the cars are set up the same. all you'd need is the rear bench and all hardware from a car that's already got it...just don't forget the seat release wires/knobs from the trunk area.

[cheesep]

I replaced my one-piece rear seat back with a 60/40 split last year - 98 Corolla.

It's very straightforward. Things you'll need from the wreckers are:

The 60/40 seat back
One of the door pillar light switches (a right angle one)
3 brackets that are spot welded in place in the donor car.
The two plastic moulded panels that go behind the 60/40 seat to cover the lower part of the door pillars.
The seat release hardware.
The little pop buttons that hold the rear deck and the moulded panels in place (some of mine broke during removal).

The trickiest part is the three brackets that the sides and the centre of the split seat back bolt on to. They likely don't exist on your car. You'll need a hammer and chisel at the wreckers to remove them from the donor car. I drilled and bolted them in place but welding is recommended so you don't pierce the body with the bolts. I coated the bolts with rtf sealant when I put them through.

You have to change one of the door light switches (can't remember which side) because the stock straight one interferes with the new moulding. The donor car will have a right angle one that doesn't produde as far into the car.

Total cost at my local wreckers - $40 CDN. You should really try to get everything at the wreckers. When I did mine one of the plastic panels was missing. I checked with the Toyota Dealer and it was $180 to order one. I waited a couple months and one showed up at the wreckers for $2!

Good luck, it's been a good improvement for my Rolla.