Rear Bench Seat Reduction Mod

Toyota was generous in predicting how much extra passenger capacity our Tundras needed. However, the back seat is one unit and undetachable for non-huge-family guys wanting extra space for gear without getting rid of all three seats entirely.

Here's how to cleanly keep one rear passenger seat and eliminate the other two back there to make room for cargo and tools---requires some redneck cutting and a little easy upholstery. (You could do this mod to get rid of either one or two seats depending on your needs. The tutorial shows deleting two.)

First, get the seating unit out, cut away the leather on the connected part, and use an angle grinder to cut the metal supports between the larger 2-seat part and smaller single seat part.


These supports only run through the top part; there are none in the bottom since the seats move up and down independently. And don't worry! It doesn't collapse on itself once these are sliced as there is plenty of internal support.


Next, use paper or cardboard to create a template that covers the icky hole you created, and transfer that to a material like plywood (or MDF as shown), cutting it out with a jigsaw. Or you can just leave it, promising yourself, "I'll finish it," despite knowing you won't.


You're going to cover this little piece with some foam and leather, using spray adhesive and staples, to make everything look stock again. I simply stripped those materials from the unused removed portion of the seating unit since no one buys hacked up parts, but you could likely use carpet or other leather if you're a hoarder and feel you must keep half a truck seat laying in your backyard next to the used tires and car on jack stands behind the shed with the smiling sun decor. Maybe I should shut up and let the pictures speak.








The new piece is secured with a single L bracket screwed on to an internal rail, I recommend additional adhesive as well.

Aaaand the final result:

 

That's a bold move, I like it.

 

It IS a bold move and I appreciate you sharing it, David! Thank you!!

I’m pretty sure I’d do a less-neat job of it though AND I want to replace the larger portion, keep only one seat with belt.

Does anyone know of seat(s) from any other vehicle make/model that will fit, if I take out the entire OEM rear bench seat and replace it with a single?

I don’t want to derail this thread but, as it’s the only one I’ve seen on this forum re: modifying the back seat in a 1st gen, I’m hoping it will draw interest from like-minded people, maybe with more than one option. (Please PM me if you have such an answer, so we don’t jack blurry1’s thread.)

 

What's going on there with your back window?

 

That is obviously the emergency escape POD.

 

That is my escape hatch! It's a cab passthrough I made myself for ease of access between the camper and cab. Sometimes you've gotta make a quick escape!

It's a sheet of plywood---primed, painted, and sound-deadened---attached by bolts to a track for removability. The little door is a marine hatch I fit through.

 

That’s sweeet.
Hello from the HR.

 

I like this mod. I've been noodling how to add some inside storage in my AC and this is a nice compromise in adding storage and keeping one seat for the odd time we need an extra seat. OP, do you have a photo of the storage system from the passenger side?

 

Stalking your photos I found these. Nice work!

 

I HAVE to figure out out to put the single seat on the passenger side. I practically have my seat all the way into that seat any way so I never use it any way and I definitely need more gear space.

 

That's what I'd like: single seat on the passenger side, storage on the driver's side.

 

Nice work...interesting concept, execution and forum thread. But gotta ask...if the point is room for more gear, what ya gonna do with all the emtpy covered space in the bed under the camper top, and on top of that sweet overhead rack? And what are you up to that an escape pod/hatch is necessary...if the aliens want you, there's no escape from the tractor/transporter beam. And most angry humans are faster than you can squeeze through that hatch...just sayin.

 

I was literally thinking about this last night but for the other side since I don't really use the space behind me.
Nice to see a thread on it, thanks for the write-up!

 

For me, the in-cab storage would be for things that I want to have easily accessible, always in the truck and secure: a tool bag, binoculars, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, bear spray, lunch and other knick-knacks and doo-dads.

I have nothing to say about the aliens or angry humans.