So i was thinking the other day that once the summer comes I want to run a bikini top on the 4runner, but I am concerned about my stuff in the truck. So then i thought what if I modified or in stalled a single seat on the passenger rear of the truck and got rid of the full rear seat. Then I could install a meduim sized rectangle truck box behind the driver seat, and not lose any space in the back. Has anyone done this before?

So far i have not seen anything like this, but im sure someone has done something similar.

 

ok so i went looking at others 4runners, and i see that some of the 1st gens have a split rear seat? now is that stock or is that a modification? i have a solid rear bench that just has pads velcro'd to a large metal seat back.

 

Factory option. my '88 has 50/50 split rear bench.

 

do you have the capability to remove one side, or is it a full frame across the bottom?

 

well the bottom part of the either side of the seat is attached with two hinges at the front, so I can pull it up and fold the back part down. I can have either side down while the other side is up. Im not sure how the back part of the seat attaches, but im assuming its just two hinges as well...

 

do you have the ability to take out the driver side or the passenger side out independant of each other? not just fold them down, or is it one full frame that bolts both into the truck. or is the front hinge bolted straight to the body of the truck?

my 91 pickup had a bench front 60/40 split and i could remove them independant of each other. is this the same with the rear of the 1st gen runner.

 

there is no frame tying them together. If I wanted to, I could unbolt like 2 or 4 bolts and take the hinges off the body to take the bottom of the seat off, then Im sure its another 2 or 4 bolts holding the rear part on.

I assumed every 1st gen had 50/50 split rear folding bench (except ones without rear seats of course)

 

how about mounting 2 bucket seats in the back ( low backs of course) and put a locking center counsle between them. now you have 2 seats in the back AND a locking place to put everything
like this but maybe not so tricked out

just a thought

 

The rear seat area is narrower then the front on these trucks so it's doubtful that would be a viable option. Good idea though.

 

i was planning on doing a lockable center console in the front but i need something bigger for larger items, i was thinking of doing a single bucket seat back there but i think it may sit too high, if it would work i would get a bucket seat out of a civic or celica and mount it there, i would also like to swap my fronts out for celica seats so i may just mount my passenger seat in the rear for the time being as for the most part no one will be back there. i rarely use the rear seat as it is, but i dont want to lose both, just one would be better. and then i can mount a decent sized diamond plate truck box in behind the drivers seat without it taking away from my bed space.

im also trying to think a way of mounting a thinner box maybe about a foot tall to the back of my current seat and then when it folds flat the box will be flat, but then i can fold it up and it will just be folded up, downside to that is everything will go everywhere and i lose bed space.

 

are you talking about only using one side of the 50/50 or using two buckets and a center locking console.

 

I just went out and checked and on the split seats you can take half out and leave the other half.

 

I have a tool box from lowes that is high density plastic and it locked and had holes for pad locks.
I had two chains cut and locked them to my roll bar and to the box then later I bought a smaller box that I would lock to the other box.

the smaller one is now bolted to the trucks flat bed and the big one is in the garage and the 4runner no longer hauls tools, people or mechanical

 

i had one of those when i had my truck, so i may just reuse it, but i just thought black diamond plate would look better, and in really trying not to lose any cargo space, not that i think i will need it other then for skim boards, but i want to keep that there so i can get a wire net that i can strap down and lock so the boards cant get stolen

also thinking about making a wooden riser that would be about 6 inches high that i could then use to cover the whole cargo area and then bolt it down. then the only access to it would be if you opened the tailgate, downside is then i would have to find a way to lock that another way otherwise you can just flip its lock and open it.

 

You could try the 'buckets' out of a Cessna 150 they are only about 2" thick... basically you'd be sitting on the floor... probably not DOT approved for auto use...

 

I have 2 sets of rear seats that will fit 1st and 2nd generation runners.

boxed and ready to ship if your interested, PM me! for sale cheap!

 

I was planning on getting a large street sign blank from the sign company here in town they quoted me around 150$ for a cut blank that would fit on the back part of the 4runner.
i was going to cut a door and install a lock on it so I could use the whole back space as a lockable space that would also be some what weather proof.
but the two tool boxes where cheaper at the time.