Gen 1 Tundra Bench VS Bucket Front Seat

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a 2004 Tundra DC that came with cloth bucket seats and center console. I'd like to swap this out with a front bench seat, so I'm looking for someone in the PNW (preferably close to Seattle but I can travel for the right one) who is looking to swap seats the other way.

That being said, I see most people swapping their bench seats out and replacing them with bucket seat + center console. What are the pros and cons of each setup? In my mind the bench seat is better because it adds movement space across the width of the truck's front seat. Are the cons just the loss of center console? Are the bucket seats wider than the individual driver/passenger seats from the bench setup?

 

I think the bench seats are a bit wider if anything (with the arm rest down). The bu kits taper inward as they move toward the backrest but the bench seats don't do that.

The con might be that with the bench setup you can't really put anything on the trans hump. Stuff slides off too easily so it makes real estate of your cup holders valuable. I do like having the bench but at some point I want to swap to aftermarket seats and likely find an oem console. I'm too far away and wrong color to trade you though.

 

Setting aside pros/cons which definitely count, I would look at it along the angle of what’s best for you and perhaps family. For me personally, I’m an ole retired fart and it suits me perfect since it’s just me riding in it and we use wifes Highlander for traveling. When we do use it, the wife loves it....very comfortable !

 

If you were in chicago id trade you i have the right color and everything

 

I might be interested. Located in Bellingham. Does everything switch right over?

 

Hi, not to have my very first post be a hyjacked thread but I am in New York and actually interested in swapping my bucket seating for bench as well. Can send pics shortly, it’s black center console

 

I like the bench cause you can just shove your pistol under the arm rest. Easy access.

 

Same here. And it's completely out of sight. Also, the arm rest on the buckets looks hard, and not as comfy as the soft one that come with the bucket. I still have 4 cupholders too which is plenty.

 

I'd like to swap out my buckets for a bench in my '04 AC SR5 as well. I always found benches to be more comfortable going back to my first vehicle, '67 Malibu. Anyway, I'm thinking of a solid bench like in a regular cab, not sure if it is possible especially w/ a manual trans. Does anyone know if I could pull this off?

 

Man I want to swap my bench for buckets as well. Has anyone that has done this have any tips in terms of where you might find it, junk yards?
Sorry to hijack and if you were closer I would drive right over

 

I think they switch over mostly fine, but I might need another piece to make it work. Yours should be fine to just bolt in a bucket seat. From what I've read on this forum, the Tundras that come with bench seats have longer seat rails on the floor which can accommodate bucket seats. But factory bucket seat Tundras have slightly shorter seat floor rails that will need a DIY extender to make bench seats swap in.

If possible can you post a pic of the bench seat arm rests?

Also, after I created this thread I discovered that the bucket seat center console cup holders can actually fit my wide NALGENE water bottle. Which is a total mindfuck since no other car I've found has been able to fit one. That alone gives me pause on swapping.
Any chance you or someone else knows if the bench seat cup holders can fit Nalgene water bottles?

 

I have an 02 SR5 with bench seats. Interior is gray. I’d be interested if you don’t mind gray. I’m located in Portland.

 

the pic he posted is the armrest.
Its a center seat when up, and a center armrest for two when down, the padding lifts for storage, Mine does not fit a traditional 1L nalgene.

 

There's the answer I needed and ultimately a deal breaker. It's a shame since a bench seat would be great, but I need muh truck to fit muh nalgene...

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/944835...nalgene+holder&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&bes=1&col=1

I wouldn't like the height of that, but a dremel on the OEM plastic and cutting this adapter to fit clean and flush wouldn't be hard.

 

Wonder if you found an 05 or 06 bench if that would work. The cup holder on the right side is bigger than the left of the armrest on mine, which is different from the 00-04s. Happen to know the exact diameter of your Nalgene bottle?

 

https://www.prpseats.com/product/suspension-bench-seat/

 

Anyone done this swap in a DC? How do the cupholders compare?

 

Sex is easier using bench seats over buckets.

 

Nalgene bottle diameter is 3.5"!

 

Damn son.

 

Totally would fit!

 

Aw snap!!! Look at that, beautiful. Never been so happy about 3.5 inches before.

Now in the time I've gotten the truck, the wife has become used to having the center console. I think I need to reopen the conversation.

 

Good luck!

Reminder -- this is for a 2005 AC bench seat. They are different than the prior years, but I think the 2006 are the same.

 

I like my bench seat! It's old school and I can store a lot of stuff in the armrest.

 

Nice. Pictures like this are just proof to help me convince the wife.

I like the multi tool. Nice Spyderco! Also, is that a stun gun?

 

No it's actually a tire pressure gauge but now that you mention it I can see how it would like like a stun gun.

 

I'll never own a truck without bucket seats and a full center console again. They're way more comfortable to me and the console is way more functional.

 

Hey is that a spyderco tenacious?
I work at lynch northwest and we make custom clips for those