I wanted to do the same for years and even though I have the ability and needed Buddy network to do any fabrication it just became ridiculous, buckets or bench. Comes down to a safety issue for me. I'd recommend taking all or half your seat out and start measuring and photographing what your up against and then make a mock-up. Don't forget the seat belts still need to work too. I decided it wa easier to use a single plate with the new track bolted to it and then that plate bolted in the truck. No welding and stronger than modifying one or more leg of a track. Once everything bolted up including the seat and belts I had a machine shop water-jet the excess center material out and smooth out all the edges. Very strong as one unit and all bolted together with grade 8 hardware. That was adapting T100 buckets to it. Did one side, didn't like the seat so I'm back to my 60/40 and will have my local upholstery shop build it up to my needs instead of wandering junk yards wondering "what if" . Good Luck and keep us in the loop.
Bench Seat Swap - what works well
Hi everyone,
I have seen a lot of good threads on here about how to change out t100 bench seats, which I want to do. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on which seats require the least fabrication? Ideally, I would like something that I do not have to offset it left/ right and minimize the amount of time I have to ask my biddy to spend making brackets to get it to line up with the steering wheel. Of course, I'll get whatever I get from a salvage yard, so something common would be nice as well. I see a few BMW seat swaps seem to be popular.
With newer Tundras and Tacos, the seats have airbags. I'm not sure if I can install those and just not have the airbags wired up?
Ideally, it would have a large range of adjustment as well as my wife is 16 inches shorter than I am!
I have seen a lot of good threads on here about how to change out t100 bench seats, which I want to do. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on which seats require the least fabrication? Ideally, I would like something that I do not have to offset it left/ right and minimize the amount of time I have to ask my biddy to spend making brackets to get it to line up with the steering wheel. Of course, I'll get whatever I get from a salvage yard, so something common would be nice as well. I see a few BMW seat swaps seem to be popular.
With newer Tundras and Tacos, the seats have airbags. I'm not sure if I can install those and just not have the airbags wired up?
Ideally, it would have a large range of adjustment as well as my wife is 16 inches shorter than I am!
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
welp, I found a t100 with buckets. The same year, same SR5 trim, same color! got the buckets and they do not fit! I was hoping they'd be a bolt in swap but it looks like there is a plate welded on underneath that determines if the truck is bench or bucket compatible at the factory. It looks like I could drill pretty easily to make them fit. I was thinking of drilling holes and then using a locking nut and a steel piece between the nuts. Is there any reason not to do this and make a bracket instead?
Also, does anyone have any experience with the t100 bucket? part of me thinks that if I am going to spend all that time drilling I might as well get something super fancy from a brand new tacoma or something, provided they are in the scrapyard at a decent price. Are modern seats really any comfier though? It has been a long time since I had a modern truck! Also, I guess they would be powered, is that difficult to set up or just a quick connect to an ignition circuit ?
Also, does anyone have any experience with the t100 bucket? part of me thinks that if I am going to spend all that time drilling I might as well get something super fancy from a brand new tacoma or something, provided they are in the scrapyard at a decent price. Are modern seats really any comfier though? It has been a long time since I had a modern truck! Also, I guess they would be powered, is that difficult to set up or just a quick connect to an ignition circuit ?
Id say yes modern seats are usually better even before factoring in degradation due to age.
You don't happen to still have that plate do you? I'd be interested in buying it if you do!I wanted to do the same for years and even though I have the ability and needed Buddy network to do any fabrication it just became ridiculous, buckets or bench. Comes down to a safety issue for me. I'd recommend taking all or half your seat out and start measuring and photographing what your up against and then make a mock-up. Don't forget the seat belts still need to work too. I decided it wa easier to use a single plate with the new track bolted to it and then that plate bolted in the truck. No welding and stronger than modifying one or more leg of a track. Once everything bolted up including the seat and belts I had a machine shop water-jet the excess center material out and smooth out all the edges. Very strong as one unit and all bolted together with grade 8 hardware. That was adapting T100 buckets to it. Did one side, didn't like the seat so I'm back to my 60/40 and will have my local upholstery shop build it up to my needs instead of wandering junk yards wondering "what if" . Good Luck and keep us in the loop.
Sorry, passed it on to another local T owner several years ago already.
No worries, thanks for the advice!Sorry, passed it on to another local T owner several years ago already.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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