My '03's driver's seat is pretty worn out. I feel like a grandma looking over the steering wheel. Is it possible to replace just the foam cushion in the seat or do I need to replace the seat?

Check xtremewlr's 4runner build thread over on tacoma world, hes doing the seats in his 4runner with new leather covers and also replaced the front cushions, PN is in there. Looks like its 71501-35080
My daily driver 2003 4Runner Limited 4wd V8 | Page 9 | Tacoma World

Seat Cushion Pad - Toyota (71501-35080) | Toyota Parts

Here ya go. HOW TO: Replace Drivers seat bottom Foam- PIC HEAVY

I did it myself. Tedious but 100% worth it. Back nolonger feels funky after long drives.

Make sure you have a good pair of snips for the metal clips/rings.

Yep, I did it to mine since I was going to reupholster anyway, but once I got it apart I realized the my original cushion was actually in great condition, it was just the leather that was all jacked up. Since I spent the money, and had it all apart, I decided to replace it anyway, but kept the other one since it was still better than most I’ve seen. If anyone is interested, I still have it and will sell it reasonably. While it was apart, I also decided to get new seat heaters since the ones that I had originally weren’t working well.

That part number is for the driver side only.

The passenger side will be different since it has the air bag weight/pressure sensor in it and is not transferable to the new foam. It's actually molded into the seat foam.

This is the passenger side foam with the sensor coming out the back, the three flat cables.



The seat heaters are attached to the factory seat covers, or at least the factory leather ones. Those can be transferred over if replacing the seat covers.

Interesting, I didn't know the weight switch was in the actual seat foam itself, but I learn something new everyday! All of your pictures are great, definitely a great resource for anyone looking to swap the seat cushions and covers.

Thanks for the links. I'll check those threads out.

Im wondering if anyone has found a non OEM option. Seems like theres plenty of memory foam, pillows etc out there. I could get a mattress for about the cost of the seat foam.

I saw where a guy used a 1st gen Tundra seat foam because he could get it for less than $70. I know it fit the seat frame but not sure how the seat cover turned out going back in it.


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thanks. the 3rd gen 4r cushions look thinner. I wonder if the tundra is thinner seats too

This video (@6:55) suggests if you steam the foam it will come back to shape closer to original. I can't confirm since i replaced my foam when i did it. However, i don't see why you couldn't try this and/or add a layer or two of memory foam to the existing pad.

In any case this video was super helpful for me.

GX470 Leather Seat Cover Replacement and Issues - YouTube

I've been looking at this option. You can get an ebay Tundra foam with a tan fake leather cover for about 80 bux. I've never sat in a Tundra, but it almost seems worth trying it, considering the only t4r option is the factory foam now going for about $250.

Perhaps a better compromise: the GX470 cushion looks similar to the 4runner, and the lower seat frame, controls, and plastic surround look the same when comparing recover videos. There are foams for that seat going for about $120, and covers around 30.

Can anybody share the differences between sitting in the Tundra seat, or the GX? If it's equally comfortable, I might just experiment with this option. I'm sure I'm not the only person interested.

Is there anyone who's tried this?

Well, I think I'll be the one to experiment here. After deeply studying some excellent Youtube videos, I strongly suspect the 4Runner and GX470 lower seat frame is identical. The GX seat is taller, but that appears to be the lower rails, which look to have taller feet. I could be wrong, but we're about to find out! Here are the videos, if you'd like to compare:

GX videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=ufsPW70zta_hVW7-&v=lPUhnkwc4hY&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=I9dsxQ79LoaHB9gM&v=LNqppLMU9Mo&feature=youtu.be

4Runner video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=KmVRxzrFuceTklXo&v=8eGyi5b2Zik&feature=youtu.be

I love that Youtube allows frame-by-frame viewing from pause (comma and period keys). That allowed me to really study the seat frame details.

I'm going to try the GX470 padding from US Auto Seat Cover:
For 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Lexus GX470 FOAM - Driver Bottom ONLY | usautoseatcover

And the real leather cover from Texan Auto Seat Cover:
2003-2009 Lexus GX470 Driver Side Bottom Leather Seat Cover Ivory Tan – Texan Auto Seat Cover

The foam is about $125 and the leather is about $170. So, it's about the same cost as getting the factory 4Runner foam (~$250) and the fake leather cover (~$45). For a real leather cover plus a foam that people say is more comfortable than Toyota's, I'm willing to give it a try. After all, I can return them if a test fit fails. Plus these products are actually USA made! Also, if you're ok with fake leather, that cuts about $120 off the final cost.

Wish me luck (and all of us with these dying seats). I'll post my progress, whether it works or not.