jameser84

I picked up a couple of SR5 "vertigo" stitched bucket seats out of a 1985 SR5 4Runner and was going to put them in my 1986 SR5 extended cab pickup. My truck, when I bought it, had an 84-88 split bench seat in it although I know it came originally with SR5 buckets. I pulled the bench seat out and put in the driver's side bucket first. All the holes lined up like they should.

When I went to put the passenger seat in, I ran into issues with the brackets mounting to the existing holes. The front two holes lines up fine, however, the rear two holes were about 2.5 inches off. The brackets on the 4Runner bucket seat are 12.25 inches from hole to hole. The truck's original holes are around 15.5 inches from hole to hole. I realize now, to my frustration, from reading through the different threads on this issue on here that the passenger seat in a 4Runner doesn't line up with the extended cab truck naturally. I thought I would check to see if anyone could help me solve this issue.

I don't want to have to drill any new holes since I am trying to restore my truck to make it as "factory" as possible. So naturally, I don't want the brackets to be off and look different than what normal buckets might. However, I am already invested about $340 in these seats and the vertigo SR5 stitching is incredibly rare... and these are in mint condition.

Ideally I would like to swap out the brackets on the bottom of my 4Runner passenger bucket with the brackets of an 86 pickup passenger bucket but I can't really figure out how. Is that even possible? What are my options? Please keep in mind that I want to use the seats I bought and make them appear completely "factory".

Thanks my Broyotas.

donomite49

should be able to install pu bucket seat brackets on and bolt in.
i changed the bench seat on my 79 to z28 seats this way.

myyota

The passenger side seat bracket on the 4Runner is longer because when its in a 4Runner its made to slide forward so the rear passengers can get out. So when swapping it into a truck it won`t line up with the rear mounting holes.

You would need to either cut and modify the seat brackets, or find another set of seat mounting brackets.

85TurboRunner

You could always drill new holes then weld factory nuts on the underside of the truck to make it appear factory. Nobody would know but you. Thats probably the easiest route.

jameser84

Thanks for the help Broyotas. I'lll let you know what I end up doing.

jameser84

Here is a pic of my seats put in (well, sort of as explained earlier):



Here is a pic of my split bench in the back of my truck after I finished the install:



Here is a pic of the brackets not lining up between the 85 4Runner passenger seat and my 86 SR5 Extracab truck:



Close up:

4Nmissile

Those will look amazing once you get them set up.

jameser84

Thanks bud! I just picked up some "Turbo" buckets out of an 86 xtracab truck and going to do the bracket swap this week. So pumped!

Resto-noob

iTrader: (3)

Could you take the brackets off of your bench seat and swap those over? You'd have to shorten the cable, but it may work.

4Nmissile

I don't think you could take the brackets off the bench. My bench only has outer rails, no inner rails where individual seats would sit. It has the holes for inner rails under the carpet though. I wonder if a good machine shop could modify the rails for individual seats to make them work in place of a bench?

Resto-noob

iTrader: (3)

Just throwing something out there with my morning coffee.

Go Bucks.

4Nmissile

You might know better than me Resto. Hey James. That picture you have with the bench in the bed looks kinda like the truck from Back To the Future (minus the bench in the back of course). And just like a Yota on the trail, where we're going, we don't need roads!

rokblok

iTrader: (1)

It is the BTF truck... A very well done resto.

Philbert

iTrader: (2)

If you can find the rails (I think you said you got some turbo seats?), you shold be able to swap them onto the new seats. When I did my seat swap, it was just a few bolts holding the cushions onto the rail/frame of the seat - see photos in my DIY in my sig.

Good luck - your truck looks great from the little we CAN see of it here

jameser84

Thank you for the help! I was able to pick up a couple grey "Turbo" bucket seats (had Turbo stitched in them) out of an 86 extracab automtic truck a guy parting one out locally. Going to try to do the bracket swap tomorrow. I'll take pics and post!