So in order to thoroughly clean the smoke smell out of the new 4Runner, I had decided to remove the driver and passenger seats to access the carpet underneath. I have a 2005 SR5 with manually-adjusted, leather, heated seats.

I say had because the more I searched the more complicated it got. I've removed seats before, but never the driver's. The very last thing I want to do is set off an airbag or a sensor. Heck I just thought it would be unscrew, unplug, and pull out. Unfortunately my 4Runner didn't even come with a regular owner's manual, so I'm getting all my information from the internet.

I did come across the 2003 Service Manual PDF for powered seats. I'm decent around tools but I've never installed hog rings before and don't particularly want to learn, but if it's necessary and cheap I will. Is the process similar for my 2005 SR5?

So I'm looking for someone who has done this before to give me a few tips. What I really need is a thread where someone did this before. I'm thinking it may not be worth the headache for a cleaning. What do you guys think? Is it just a big pain?

go to page 3 and scroll all the way down. Hopefully this helps.

2005 4Runner

you mention removing seats to clean under them. then you mention seats to remove hog rings and that refers to remove and disassembling the seat cushions.

for me both real easy tasks, for you with no knowledge on either task. it will be much harder.

RULE OF THUMB:

when yopu disconnect anything with a YELLOW harness or connector, that will be associated with the srs system. you can unplug it. DO NOT turn on the vehicle while it is unplugged. You may get a srs warning indicator that might need to be reset.

this rule applies to all cars, makes and model

just pop off the 4 covers for the seat bolts
unplug it all
remove the seat
rinse and repeat for other side.

so here is my link to repair the rocking chair problem we have in the 4 runners. you get the idea how the seat comes out
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/140714-diy-rocking-chair-seat-heated-seat-$0-00-repair-priceless.html

It's a pretty simple task. I've had mine in and out a few times for various reasons. You should be able to have them unbolted and out in minutes.

It's really simple. If you really want to get that smell out, I would recommend removing the carpet completly.... deep cleaning it, let it dry out then cover it with baking soda and let it sit for a few days. Lastly, replace the carpet pad underneath. Carpet pad can be purchased very cheaply from home depot / lowes, a can of 3m adhesive is $15, and then a weekend or so of you life. Use the old pad as a template for cutting the new pad. Some of the smell will still remain in the seats/headline though, but the lionshare will be coming from the carpet/pad.

You sir, just made me facepalm.

Ok, I must have misunderstood the service manual I was reading. I was wondering why there were "install" sections and why certain pieces had to be removed just to get it out of the truck. I read the hog rings as necessary to just removing and re-installing the whole seat. (I've never used a service manual before)

Ok so I know what to do now. Unplug batt, wait 90 seconds, pull off the 4 covers, unscrew what is beneath them, unplug wires, and pull the entire thing out. Basically exactly like the other vehicles I've done but unplug the battery.

On a side note, how do I safely remove those covers without breaking them? (The ones covering the bolts) When I search I get how to remove the other plastic, where the seat controls are. Someone at the dealership was wonderful enough to do it improperly while doing the pre-sale cleaning, so one on the passenger side pops off constantly.

And will I affect anything else by unplugging the battery? Anything at all? I know at 40 minutes it should reset the driver settings computer, which I guess I need to do anyway.

There are only four 14mm bolts holding each seat down. Once you get the bolts loose tilt the seat towards the rear slowly so you don't yank wires loose and you should only have to undo two wire clips and you're done. One of the wires you have to un-clip on each side is white and the other one might be blue or gray.

Just pull those plastic covers off with some force and use two hands if you can. They won't break. OR tape the end of a flat head screw driver with some electrical tape and easily pry up all the corners. Just yank them off.

I don't unplug my battery when disconnecting the connections under the seat. Probably smarter to do so, however.

Hi,
I have a 2007 4runner sport with power seats, The driver side recline stopped/stuck in recline position. after I unbolted it to investigate the issue I noticed that some of the wiring is cut, spliced, taped, and somewhat tangled together. When I tried to dismantle and dissect the wiring I became lost. The bare wires I have reset them in every possible combination so I have a feeling they went to a connector. any help would be awesome.

Photo's

https://notpunting.imgur.com/all/