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Rear seat latch on my 1986 4Runner broke. Main pivot of the latch/hook broke, stressed the plastic part and eventually broke it.
A part from a junk yard would probably break soon, too, so I'm shopping. however, the rear seats on this generation seems to be the work of Dr Frankenstein, and there are so many variations so I'm not sure what replacement to get.
The latch on mine looks like below. If your truck has similar and you've had experience buying new one, please share where you bought it.
Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jun 29, 2018 at 01:44 PM.
I certainly know that I would not want the seats to become unlatched while the 4Runner is in motion.
Yes, spring loaded. Upon closer look at the design, the plastic part holds the load - the force of someone's back resting against the backrest.
The spring loaded latch / hook does not hold the force of passenger leaning back. It only holds the seat in upright position.
Man, I hate plastic load-bearing parts! The plastic broke, leaving the 10-mm screw that is the pivot of the latch with the load and it eventually broke.
Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jun 29, 2018 at 01:46 PM.
Here's a video of how the latch works.
Do you guys know of a newer gen truck that may use similar part?
Taken of the right side seat that's also about to fall apart because load-bearing part is plastic (bakelite?).
Works just like a common gate latch. IF I can't find suitable replacement, I'll just fabricate one myself out of polycarbonate and some nylon and/or steel bushings.
Seat construction, latches, hinges do not have evidence of Japanese quality and attention to detail in them. Probably a Frankenstein job in the U.S. after the trucks arrived here.
Door strike with lock washers that are 5/16-inch, not proper 8-mm...
This is where the latch mounts on the side of the seat:
Hinge between left and right backrests...
Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jul 2, 2018 at 02:55 PM.
ray, looks like toyota made changes as they progressed. both my runners have all metal latches, and they are inside the fabric, not exposed. my center hinges are different, too. more robust.
ray, looks like toyota made changes as they progressed. both my runners have all metal latches, and they are inside the fabric, not exposed. my center hinges are different, too. more robust.
All those are definitely better, Wally.
Cool! Tnx, Wally.
Do your "seat strike" look same as this^^? Metal is about 1/4-inch diameter.
If it does, I can try digging out the all-metal ones from 87 or later first-gens.
Yes, could be new and improved version, or SR5 versions (I have a dlx), or my truck may have come with a seat delete and seats were added here. I see evidence of improvisation; seats and hinges are crudely made. Set bottoms weighed 15 pounds a piece! I already removed and sold them. I use foam pieces for seat bottoms, that become additional cushioning for sleeping when backrests are folded
Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jun 29, 2018 at 10:32 PM.
the seat-strike looks the same to me. it fits the same mounting position and holes.
my '87 was a rear seat delete; the seats came from a local. was '87-89, but i don't know exactly which, nor do i know if the donor was an sr5. the '88 rear seats are "as-delivered" new, and an sr5.
Ray looks like a trip to the boneyard for a later 87-89 set of latches/mounts are in your future.
I would think as long as you inspect & test them a used yet would be fine. Not like a lot of them were folded up and down a lot.
there is a pull-knob that protrudes from the top of the seatback. it sits fairly flush when locked.
Cool.
If it matches the "strike" I think that would work. Time to visit the junkyard for metal-body ones. BTW, strong evidence that seats were made and installed stateside:
10-24 AND 1/4-20 BOLTS AND CRUDE HARDWARE
Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jul 2, 2018 at 02:58 PM.
I would say Toyota Japan would disapprove of those "port-installed" latches. LOL!
What is with the piece wood behind the strike? That is definitely not factory!
LOL!
AHA! (From Wikipedia):
"During 1984 to 1986 many 4Runners were imported to the US without rear seats. With only two seats the vehicle could be classified as a truck (rather than a sport vehicle) and could skirt the higher customs duties placed upon sport and pleasure vehicles. Most had aftermarket seats and seat belts added by North American dealers after they were imported."
The Trucks have a similar story where most of the trucks were made in Japan and shipped to the U.S. without beds as "Cab and Chassis" models. Cab and Chassis models did not have the same high import duties as a fully built truck.
Most U.S. model Trucks have the American style beds which were made in the U.S. and installed on the truck after it arrived at the port. You can see evidence of this when you see trucks with beds that have very faded paint and much more rust compared to the cab. The beds lacked rust preventative coatings and the paint formulations used for the U.S. beds were nowhere near the quality of the paint used in Japan.
Here is an extreme example, but illustrates the point very well :
It was hidden behind the plastic of the rear quarter panel. The quarter panel (that I sold) and rhe garnish right above it both have bumps that indicate something had to build up underneath. Where the steel strike mounts also look stock.
Jun 24, 2018 | 02:12 PM
LOL!
