DC Fold Down Rear Seats

I used a regular household hammer in the 1st picture. Yes, they easily bend down, I just hit each one 3x to the correct bend.
I loosenly bolted the smaller back seat (right side) to make sure that I have the right bend and made adjustments. Once I got the right bend, I used those hoops as a reference to bend down the hoops of the larger seat.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other question.

 

Awesome, thanx for the tips...I plan on attempting this weekend or next...I will post how it goes

 

Had I even thought about the hammer trick that’s the way I probably would’ve gone. I ended up cutting mine and it works fine too.

 

does cutting the brackets introduce any safety concerns or does it still have enough to catch/hold when in the upright position if you were to get into an accident or anything?

 

I was concerned about that a little but the seat belts are not attached to the seat rather the back panel so I can't see why it would. I ended up just hammering the hooks down a little bit instead of cutting, I cannot get the seat to move forward one bit and I gave it a pretty good couple pulls.

 

ok i will probably do this mod then i was just concerned as my 7 yr old daughter and 1 yr old son will be back there.

 

If you just cut off about an inch (all that's needed), it doesn't budge when it's engaged in the hook, and you still have to lift up the seat bottom in order for the back seat to rise about two or three inches or so to disconnect from the hooks.
So, yes, there's plenty to still catch & hold onto the hook.

 

No. The part that you cut off has essentially zero stress when the bracket is loaded. If you're very concerned, I would avoid bending the clips. They have exceeded yield strength and are therefore comprised for further loading. Probably not significantly, but still, since you asked.

 

Why did you end up trimming your factory ones? Also is there a way to contact the guy selling these?

 

The factory ones are rubber tipped so I figured it might help with rattling. Nothing wrong with the other ones.

 

I did this but just used a hammer to bend the hooks. Worked like a charm.

Also, I was surprised as to how much room was back there. I may decide to move the seat forward a few instead of raising it and out subs behind the seat.

 

Thanks to all for the inspiration and tips.

Thought it would be cumbersome but to my surprise to was straightforward with the hammer approach

 

I don’t know why anyone does it differently. It’s so much easier.

 

Yes. Very convenient

 

for those who used the hammer approach, how much approximately did you bend it down? an inch?

 

I think I did about that. Just do a little and trial and error. If you do it too much I’d assume you wouldn’t be able to lock it over the hooks.

I can post a pic when I get off work in a few hours to give you an idea.

 

Just pound on it until it's almost 45 degrees down I would say

 

people are talking about having extra brackets but Toyota doesn't sell then individually that i can find. so dose anyone know where you can get a set of them?

 

You can get some off a wrecked DC. Check Craigslist or a junk yard.

 

@Rubberdown You’re a genius. Did this on the new truck yesterday. Bending the loops was waaay easier than when I cut the hooks on the first truck. Thanks bud. And btw, your ADS shocks are in Texas now.

 

Oooooooooo man. I’m all tingly waiting on them.

Also thanks for recognizing my genius. I tell everyone I’m a genius but no one believes me. Probably has something to do with them watching me.

 

All just wanted to share my experience. I did have to pop off the seats with the socket set, of course i used my impact gun for it. There are 6 screws. Once out, i lifted up, pulled forward and the back rest folded down. I then put the screws that held dow the seat back in. I measured 1” and cut off the latch on a angle. I used a sawzall for this so i didn’t have to remove the metal latch (I’m lazy). Then while here i can just test it also in case i need to shave it down some. It’s rough but it works. I might take a metal file to it to kill the rough surface. Boom done in about 20mins.

 

Ha! After bending the hooks, I realized it tilted the seats too much and the headrest was hitting the back window and interfering with the sliding window. So I bent the loops back up and cut off the hooks on the passenger side.

 

ohhhh... I am ghetto. Never had the sliding window.

 

Same kinda, just used the Vibrasaw with hooks in place, went through like butter.

 

Oh, I know what's cookin there... Exactly what I was thinking to store back there, flat tools. One 12 gauge and one 30/30.
Where did you find those hooks, I'd like to get some.

 

Great mod. Has anyone covered the seatbacks like the tacoma?

 

So we just need now some type of hard plastic to cover the back seat to make a storage area like I had on my F250, to set stuff on without messing up the rear seat cushions.

 

Yea a little late to the PARTY but finally did this mod on my 18’ SR DC today

Harder to get the seat up and off of brackets then I thought and pain in the ass to get screws out hooks on seat back (did not want to cut in place and having shavings everywhere)- impact gun with swivel is key !
Used air-die- grinder to cut & shape hooks

Reinstalled everything and HAPPY to say all works as described!!
But now that I have done it and I see what little room is back there I have no idea what the hell I'm going to put back there
From some of the photos I’ve seen looks like 2ndgen might have more room the 3rd

On a positive note -might now be able to do sound proofing without removing whole seat now?

THX @JMB for write up !!

 

Attaching the swivel to an extension then to a drill made it easier.