VDQ : Tacoma seats?

Very Dumb Question -- my apologies in advance! Sorry to be so clueless.

I have an '03 Tacoma, full bed, one bench seat. Bad choice -- because my
wife had never driven any truck, and the dealer was on a busy main
highway; so I did the only test drive, and just didn't think.

Trouble is, first, that I'm a good foot taller than she is; second and
worse, most of my height is in my legs -- and hers is in her torso.

You guessed it. When we finally got around to her trying to learn (after
many long distractions), it turned out that with me in the truck, she
can't *get* the seat far enough forward to reach the pedals -- not even if
I'm sideways and in the OSHA Atomic Attack position (i.e., fetal position).

I'm advised, by people who don't want the job, that I can get good used
bucket seats from a junkyard, and swap them out myself -- all the easier
because neither of us cares what color, nor even whether they match.

Wrong -- on two counts : that advice assumes I'm able-bodied (not never no
more, alas!), and know straight up about motor vehicles. (I never have; I
can just about tell a pickup from a sedan from a semi, and that's the end
of my auto lore).

Junkyards don't install; guys that install don't even call junkyards,
at least around here. But I would have no faintest notion, buying two
bucket seats, whether either one would fit at all, nor on which side.

If I can get a pair of the right seats, I can take them to a shop, or
maybe find a handyman. But how do I know what to get?? Is there some magic
part number somewhere, or something?? Anything I need to watch out for?

I have no idea, btw, whether there is any way to tell the model year of a
Toyota truck (or the remains of one) in a junkyard, much less what range
of models might have interchangeable seats -- and this is the only place
I've found to ask.

Oh, and the obvious solution isn't much better : there's no telling
whether the local mega-dealer's phone system is worse than their web page,
or the other way around -- maybe both. Is there any better way than just
driving there (It's in another town.), asking around, and paying whatever
they demand?? <choke, gasp, ...>

--
Beartooth Staffwright, Wordcrafty Squirreler
Remember I have little idea what I am talking about.

"Beartooth" <beartooth@swva.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.10.12.19.35.28.845505@swva.net...[color=blue]
> Very Dumb Question -- my apologies in advance! Sorry to be so clueless.
>
> I have an '03 Tacoma, full bed, one bench seat. Bad choice -- because my
> wife had never driven any truck, and the dealer was on a busy main
> highway; so I did the only test drive, and just didn't think.
>
> Trouble is, first, that I'm a good foot taller than she is; second and
> worse, most of my height is in my legs -- and hers is in her torso.
>
> You guessed it. When we finally got around to her trying to learn (after
> many long distractions), it turned out that with me in the truck, she
> can't *get* the seat far enough forward to reach the pedals -- not even if
> I'm sideways and in the OSHA Atomic Attack position (i.e., fetal
> position).
>
> I'm advised, by people who don't want the job, that I can get good used
> bucket seats from a junkyard, and swap them out myself -- all the easier
> because neither of us cares what color, nor even whether they match.
>
> Wrong -- on two counts : that advice assumes I'm able-bodied (not never no
> more, alas!), and know straight up about motor vehicles. (I never have; I
> can just about tell a pickup from a sedan from a semi, and that's the end
> of my auto lore).
>
> Junkyards don't install; guys that install don't even call junkyards,
> at least around here. But I would have no faintest notion, buying two
> bucket seats, whether either one would fit at all, nor on which side.[/color]

Once you've matched up the right parts, how about you go buy them, and take
them to a mechanic or body shop to have them installed? Better yet, call a
few body shops and see if THEY are able to source the bucket seats for you.
After collisions, most people these days probably want new parts. The shops
will probably be intrigued by someone who says "Help me shop the junk
yards".

On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:35:29 -0400, Beartooth <beartooth@swva.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>I have an '03 Tacoma, full bed, one bench seat. Bad choice -- because my
>wife had never driven any truck, and the dealer was on a busy main
>highway; so I did the only test drive, and just didn't think.
>
>Trouble is, first, that I'm a good foot taller than she is; second and
>worse, most of my height is in my legs -- and hers is in her torso.
>
>You guessed it. When we finally got around to her trying to learn (after
>many long distractions), it turned out that with me in the truck, she
>can't *get* the seat far enough forward to reach the pedals -- not even if
>I'm sideways and in the OSHA Atomic Attack position (i.e., fetal position).
>
>I'm advised, by people who don't want the job, that I can get good used
>bucket seats from a junkyard, and swap them out myself -- all the easier
>because neither of us cares what color, nor even whether they match.[/color]

Matching the interior might be nice, but that can be solved (or
masked) with seatcovers.
[color=blue]
>Wrong -- on two counts : that advice assumes I'm able-bodied (not never no
>more, alas!), and know straight up about motor vehicles. (I never have; I
>can just about tell a pickup from a sedan from a semi, and that's the end
>of my auto lore).[/color]

Locate an available teenager or two to do the heavy lifting,
relatives are often available for the cost of a meal or two. And get
an inexpensive set of Metric socket wrenches, a roll of blue long-mask
masking tape (less chance of leaving residue everywhere) and a
retractable shop knife.
[color=blue]
>I have no idea, btw, whether there is any way to tell the model year of a
>Toyota truck (or the remains of one) in a junkyard, much less what range
>of models might have interchangeable seats -- and this is the only place
>I've found to ask.[/color]

Junkyards have cross reference books that tell which model years are
the same for various parts. And when they remove the seats, keep at
least some of the mounting bolts - this will be obvious later, as you
need 4 more bolts because you have two more mounting rails.

The trucks are built at the factory with mounting points for both
bucket and bench seats at the factory, so as they hit the "Interior"
section of the assembly line they just drop in what the build ticket
says for that vehicle.

It's simple - unbolt 4 bolts for the bench, pull it out. Test fit
one of the bucket seats, put some masking tape where you need to trim
the carpet or floor mat for the other two mounting pads and bolts.
Remove seat and trim floor mat/carpet without the seat in the way.
Install seat and bolt it down.
[color=blue]
>If I can get a pair of the right seats, I can take them to a shop, or
>maybe find a handyman. But how do I know what to get?? Is there some magic
>part number somewhere, or something?? Anything I need to watch out for?[/color]
[color=blue]
>Oh, and the obvious solution isn't much better : there's no telling
>whether the local mega-dealer's phone system is worse than their web page,
>or the other way around -- maybe both. Is there any better way than just
>driving there (It's in another town.), asking around, and paying whatever
>they demand?? <choke, gasp, ...>[/color]

Oh gawd, don't even joke about buying complete new seats, tracks and
mounts at a dealer. You'll get raped without so much as a kiss...

Bad enough if you just order a set of outer covers the right color.

--<< Bruce >>--

"Beartooth" <beartooth@swva.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.10.12.19.35.28.845505@swva.net...[color=blue]
> Very Dumb Question -- my apologies in advance! Sorry to be so clueless.
>
> I have an '03 Tacoma, full bed, one bench seat. Bad choice -- because my
> wife had never driven any truck, and the dealer was on a busy main
> highway; so I did the only test drive, and just didn't think.
>
> Trouble is, first, that I'm a good foot taller than she is; second and
> worse, most of my height is in my legs -- and hers is in her torso.
>
> You guessed it. When we finally got around to her trying to learn (after
> many long distractions), it turned out that with me in the truck, she
> can't *get* the seat far enough forward to reach the pedals -- not even if
> I'm sideways and in the OSHA Atomic Attack position (i.e., fetal
> position).
>
> I'm advised, by people who don't want the job, that I can get good used
> bucket seats from a junkyard, and swap them out myself -- all the easier
> because neither of us cares what color, nor even whether they match.
>
> Wrong -- on two counts : that advice assumes I'm able-bodied (not never no
> more, alas!), and know straight up about motor vehicles. (I never have; I
> can just about tell a pickup from a sedan from a semi, and that's the end
> of my auto lore).
>
> Junkyards don't install; guys that install don't even call junkyards,
> at least around here. But I would have no faintest notion, buying two
> bucket seats, whether either one would fit at all, nor on which side.
>
> If I can get a pair of the right seats, I can take them to a shop, or
> maybe find a handyman. But how do I know what to get?? Is there some magic
> part number somewhere, or something?? Anything I need to watch out for?
>
> I have no idea, btw, whether there is any way to tell the model year of a
> Toyota truck (or the remains of one) in a junkyard, much less what range
> of models might have interchangeable seats -- and this is the only place
> I've found to ask.
>
> Oh, and the obvious solution isn't much better : there's no telling
> whether the local mega-dealer's phone system is worse than their web page,
> or the other way around -- maybe both. Is there any better way than just
> driving there (It's in another town.), asking around, and paying whatever
> they demand?? <choke, gasp, ...>
>
> --
> Beartooth Staffwright, Wordcrafty Squirreler
> Remember I have little idea what I am talking about.[/color]


I'd try an Auto Body Shop not just a garage.[color=blue]
>[/color]

On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 20:48:55 +0000, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
[...][color=blue]
> Once you've matched up the right parts, how about you go buy them, and take
> them to a mechanic or body shop to have them installed? Better yet, call a
> few body shops and see if THEY are able to source the bucket seats for you.[/color]

If the original post hadn't been so long already, I'd've mentioned that
I've been trying that for some time. I guess I should have anyway. Sorry!
[color=blue]
> After collisions, most people these days probably want new parts. The shops
> will probably be intrigued by someone who says "Help me shop the junk
> yards".[/color]

Makes lots of sense, and I had hoped so; but it hasn't been working out
that way. :-(

--
Beartooth Staffwright, Neo-Redneck Linux Convert
What do they know of country, who only country know?