Retrofit 3rd row seat into a 2003 4Runner?

[ffUser]

Anyone retrofit factory 3rd row seat into a 2003/4 4Runner? Or know if it's even possible?

[Brian R.]

Why don't you just call a dealer and see if they will do it. That would tell you if it's possible. If it's impossible, they will be forced to tell you.

Although, if you're willing to spend the money, nothing is really impossible for a custom shop.

[C-DUBYA]

that could get real expensive getting the seatbelts put in and having the work done putting in the mounts in for the seat, but as stated above, anything is possible for the money.

[Brian R.]

Actually, you could make a 40-ft long 4Runner with 10 rows of seats. All it takes is a checkbook.

[ffUser]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Why don't you just call a dealer and see if they will do it. That would tell you if it's possible. If it's impossible, they will be forced to tell you.

Although, if you're willing to spend the money, nothing is really impossible for a custom shop.

I talked to my dealer, and they didn't know. Told me to call the Toyota 1-800 number and ask.

I called the Toyota 1-800 number, and they didn't know. They told me to ask my dealer.

I detect a continuous, useless, clueless loop developing here.

I hadn't thought about the seat belt issue. I suppose that the vehicle wouldn't even be legal without having the belts installed.

Thanks all
-D

[Brian R.]

You are probably the first one with this request that the dealer has had. You can do alot of the legwork by investigating the differences and seeing if your truck is able to accomodate the seat rails, belts, changes in flooring (if any) and interior side panels, headliner, etc. Get detailed part breakdown of the truck with the seat showing and see if there are parts in your truck that go where the seat and other parts go. See if there is a difference in the shape of the headliner. See if your truck has the bolt holes necessary to mount the new stuff. If you don't find any huge problems, the new seat is probably meant to bolt in if you buy the parts necessary to get it to fit.

My best guess is that the seat will fit if you are willing to install the hardware that makes the two trucks different. The trucks are probably identical with the exception of some interior plastic and stuff. This doesn't make it cheap or easy, but do-able.

BTW, the last time I had an inquiry of this complexity, I called the manufacturer and kept asking for new people until they finally connected me with an engineer who knew the answer. Someone knows.

[ffUser]

I'm sure it's totally do-able, if a person had the time and money. I was looking at a 4Runner with the 3rd row of seats, and it's actually 2 seats that bolt down into the frame at 4 locations/brackets. There might even be an extra longitudinal member (or 2 cross-members) underneath to accept the bolt from the inner set of seat brackets. Chances are, that would be a difficult retrofit if this was the case.

I'm quite certain that the bolt holes would all be there for the seat belts. I'd either have to buy new trim and/or headliner, or modify the existing pieces to mount the units. On the surface, it seemed like a feasable idea. But the more you think about it, I'm not sure it would be cost-effective. I may have to count my losses, and just trade it in for something with 3 rows of seats.

Thanks Brian. I appreciate the help.
-D

[Brian R.]

You're welcome