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Rear Bench Seat Reduction Mod

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by theblurry1, Jun 6, 2020.

  1. Jun 6, 2020 at 11:51 AM
    #1
    theblurry1

    theblurry1 [OP] ~

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    David
    Castle Rock, CO
    Vehicle:
    2001 Thunder Grey Tundra AC Limited 4x4 V8
    (Camper conversion underway.) Rebuilt engine w/265K miles, A.R.E. camper shell (w/cab pass-through, rooftop fan, and side windows delete), bedlinered steel ladder rack (w/wooden rooftop deck and hammock mount), all LED lights (red dash, 4" side floods, 32" rear bar), Android head unit, 1.5" lift from Bilstein 5100 struts, 32" DuraTrac tires on factory rims, 1.5" wheel spacers, Moog suspension parts, SuperSprings leaf kit, diff drop, Reese trailer brake control, GoRhino Hitch Step, debadged, F-150 rear bumper, Sequoia center console unit upgrade, partial rear bench seat delete, dashcam, aftermarket speakers, 50% sound deadening coverage, custom tools unit.
    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:


     
  2. Jun 6, 2020 at 1:02 PM
    #2
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    All over SoCal
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    The darkest
    It's really dark
    That's a bold move, I like it.
     
  3. Jun 6, 2020 at 3:30 PM
    #3
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    Sunny
    San Diego, CA
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    2017 Inferno Tundra DC TRD & Longtravel 1st Gen, Banner/ HulkSmash build
    It IS a bold move and I appreciate you sharing it, David! :thumbsup: Thank you!!

    I’m pretty sure I’d do a less-neat job of it though :oops: 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.)
     
  4. Jun 7, 2020 at 4:11 AM
    #4
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

    Joined:
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    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra AC SR5 4WD, 4.7 Automatic
    What's going on there with your back window?
     
  5. Jun 7, 2020 at 4:23 AM
    #5
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

    Joined:
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    East TN
    Vehicle:
    2002 AC
    That is obviously the emergency escape POD.
     
    Darkness, CodyP, bmf4069 and 3 others like this.
  6. Jun 7, 2020 at 8:42 AM
    #6
    theblurry1

    theblurry1 [OP] ~

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2020
    Member:
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    Messages:
    288
    First Name:
    David
    Castle Rock, CO
    Vehicle:
    2001 Thunder Grey Tundra AC Limited 4x4 V8
    (Camper conversion underway.) Rebuilt engine w/265K miles, A.R.E. camper shell (w/cab pass-through, rooftop fan, and side windows delete), bedlinered steel ladder rack (w/wooden rooftop deck and hammock mount), all LED lights (red dash, 4" side floods, 32" rear bar), Android head unit, 1.5" lift from Bilstein 5100 struts, 32" DuraTrac tires on factory rims, 1.5" wheel spacers, Moog suspension parts, SuperSprings leaf kit, diff drop, Reese trailer brake control, GoRhino Hitch Step, debadged, F-150 rear bumper, Sequoia center console unit upgrade, partial rear bench seat delete, dashcam, aftermarket speakers, 50% sound deadening coverage, custom tools unit.


    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.
     
  7. Jun 7, 2020 at 8:35 PM
    #7
    jcrob33

    jcrob33 New Member

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    First Name:
    JR
    Vehicle:
    2004 Toyota Tundra DC // 295k+
    That’s sweeet.
    Hello from the HR.
     
    theblurry1[OP] and Tundra2 like this.
  8. Feb 14, 2021 at 12:18 PM
    #8
    jimf909

    jimf909 Battery almost dead...

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    Vehicle:
    '03 Tundra SR5 AC 4.7 TRD w/LSD
    Dead stock with oem 16" starfish wheels. We'll see how long that lasts. :) Topper of unknown origin.
    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?

    upload_2021-2-14_12-17-55.jpg
     
  9. Feb 14, 2021 at 12:26 PM
    #9
    jimf909

    jimf909 Battery almost dead...

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    Dead stock with oem 16" starfish wheels. We'll see how long that lasts. :) Topper of unknown origin.
    Stalking your photos I found these. Nice work!

    upload_2021-2-14_12-24-34.jpg

    upload_2021-2-14_12-25-13.jpg

    upload_2021-2-14_12-25-33.jpg
     
    Darkness and Sunnier like this.
  10. Feb 18, 2021 at 10:32 PM
    #10
    wandering_boy

    wandering_boy Junior Tech Wizard

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    Don't let a kid out smart you.
    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.
     
  11. Feb 19, 2021 at 9:30 AM
    #11
    jimf909

    jimf909 Battery almost dead...

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    Dead stock with oem 16" starfish wheels. We'll see how long that lasts. :) Topper of unknown origin.
    That's what I'd like: single seat on the passenger side, storage on the driver's side.
     
  12. Feb 19, 2021 at 5:12 PM
    #12
    tmac58star

    tmac58star New Member

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    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.
     
  13. Feb 19, 2021 at 5:16 PM
    #13
    evilrb

    evilrb New Member

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    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!
     
  14. Feb 19, 2021 at 7:10 PM
    #14
    jimf909

    jimf909 Battery almost dead...

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    Jim
    Washington or Idaho
    Vehicle:
    '03 Tundra SR5 AC 4.7 TRD w/LSD
    Dead stock with oem 16" starfish wheels. We'll see how long that lasts. :) Topper of unknown origin.
    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.:rofl:
     

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