1st Gen Rear Seats. What's the true story?
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the_dingman
New member
I've just purchased a rusted out '88 for parts (mainly needing the transmission), the interior was gray, and I'm not sure weather the headrests were there or not...
I'm not storing it near me, but I'll be going down to remove some interior parts in the next week or so, if they are there, I'll let you know.
I'm not storing it near me, but I'll be going down to remove some interior parts in the next week or so, if they are there, I'll let you know.
sixonthefloor
New member
Would you be interested in selling the rear glass if it has defroster strips on it and an interior dome light if it's in good shape
the_dingman
New member
Probably. I'm most interested in the transmission, and the tracks off the rear glass. I only had a chance to look at it for a few minutes, and I'll be going down to pilfer parts and know more about what I need in a few days.
From what I've read of the history, a lot of the first generation 4runners came with cheap bolt in seats only to lower the cost of importing them; the two-door, two-seat version was classed as a truck and had a 25% import tax, while a two-door, four-seat version was classed as a vehicle with something like a 2.5% import tax.
Some of the 4runners came with what's been called a "seat delete" panel, which is basically a thin piece of steel that would go where the backseats are and makes it look more like a truck bed. Most of the dealerships would take these out and scrap them to install the back seats. I've read a couple of threads about it between yotatech and pirate4x4, so if you go to either of those sites and search for "seat delete panel" you can probably find more information.
I've been messing with the back seats in my '87 a little bit lately. I've got the headrests, the problem is they don't come out at all, which means they get in the way when I pull the bottom out and try to lay the back down. I got some backseats to a '90 4runner, and they almost bolt right in. The problem with them is that the locks on the back are in a different spot than on the first generation. The advantage is that the headrests actually come out so I could lay them flat if I wanted to. I think in the end I'm going to have to take my original seats apart and find some way to take the headrests out without destroying them.
Some of the 4runners came with what's been called a "seat delete" panel, which is basically a thin piece of steel that would go where the backseats are and makes it look more like a truck bed. Most of the dealerships would take these out and scrap them to install the back seats. I've read a couple of threads about it between yotatech and pirate4x4, so if you go to either of those sites and search for "seat delete panel" you can probably find more information.
I've been messing with the back seats in my '87 a little bit lately. I've got the headrests, the problem is they don't come out at all, which means they get in the way when I pull the bottom out and try to lay the back down. I got some backseats to a '90 4runner, and they almost bolt right in. The problem with them is that the locks on the back are in a different spot than on the first generation. The advantage is that the headrests actually come out so I could lay them flat if I wanted to. I think in the end I'm going to have to take my original seats apart and find some way to take the headrests out without destroying them.
Alabama4Runner
New member
I own a 1985 Deluxe with the vinyl back seat and I used to own a 1986 SR5 with the split rear, nice seats. I bought the '85 with a few thousand miles on it in '86 and shortly thereafter bought the '86 brand new.
At the time I was told that many of the 4Runners were imported with no back seat because they were considered "trucks" and didn't count against the car quotas that the Japanese manufacturers had to stay below. The SR5 ones came in with the seat installed and the deluxe ones without. I think the quota restrictions were lifted in 1986 or '87 so they didn't have to ship them in without back seats after that (although I suppose you could still buy them w/o the rear seat).
Not professing as to the accuracy of this information but it is what I was told by both dealers at the time.
At the time I was told that many of the 4Runners were imported with no back seat because they were considered "trucks" and didn't count against the car quotas that the Japanese manufacturers had to stay below. The SR5 ones came in with the seat installed and the deluxe ones without. I think the quota restrictions were lifted in 1986 or '87 so they didn't have to ship them in without back seats after that (although I suppose you could still buy them w/o the rear seat).
Not professing as to the accuracy of this information but it is what I was told by both dealers at the time.
sixonthefloor
New member
Hey Husker
Have you tried to go to a junk yard to get some head rests. All the runners I've seen here in Jax have head rests on them.
Have you tried to go to a junk yard to get some head rests. All the runners I've seen here in Jax have head rests on them.
sixonthefloor
New member
Husker
I've seen them on Ebay from time to time. If you want I can go to a junk yard and pull those parts for you. I really don't mind. What color are you looking for?
I've seen them on Ebay from time to time. If you want I can go to a junk yard and pull those parts for you. I really don't mind. What color are you looking for?
the_dingman
New member
Great news! I stripped my '88 today, and it did have the rear headrests. They're gray, and in great condition... I'll post some pics for you tomorrow. Email me at [email protected] and let me know what they're worth to you, and anything else you need.
sixonthefloor
New member
Would you be interested in selling bump stops. I know of all things those, lol but I need them for my front axel. Also the interior door panels if grey and in good shape.
the_dingman
New member
I didn't take any mechanical parts, as I didn't have the tools, but I've got a great set of interior door panels in gray. They are from an SR5 (so power windows/locks) and from the newer version with the window/lock controls on the armrest. I'll try to get you pics as soon as possible.
I will get a fill list of parts and pics up in the next few days, I want to give people here a chance at parts they need for cheaper before putting it all up on ebay.
I will get a fill list of parts and pics up in the next few days, I want to give people here a chance at parts they need for cheaper before putting it all up on ebay.
sixonthefloor
New member
Cool just let us know what ever you do
okanagan_gord
New member
parts
Hey all,
I just thought I'd ask - the_dingman, does that truck have the power mirrors? I need the drivers side one (as the mirror attachment is busted in mine). I also need the switch for the back window... currently if the ignition is on (A) the switch doesn't work, and (B) the key won't move the window (so long as power is off, no problems :S).
I know it might be a pain, but would you ship across the border as well?
Let me know!!
Hey all,
I just thought I'd ask - the_dingman, does that truck have the power mirrors? I need the drivers side one (as the mirror attachment is busted in mine). I also need the switch for the back window... currently if the ignition is on (A) the switch doesn't work, and (B) the key won't move the window (so long as power is off, no problems :S).
I know it might be a pain, but would you ship across the border as well?
Let me know!!
Addicted2Gas
New member
1985 4runner rear seat
I know this is an old thread. I thought id throw it out there anyway. Rebuilding an 85 runner. Anyone out there near st Louis have one for sale let me know. Tan interior preferred. Any color would do if the price is right.
I know this is an old thread. I thought id throw it out there anyway. Rebuilding an 85 runner. Anyone out there near st Louis have one for sale let me know. Tan interior preferred. Any color would do if the price is right.
samh
New member
Curious if I can take out just one half of the rear seats in my '86? There's one attachment point in the middle of the vehicle that both halves of the rear seat attach to. I can get in there and just try taking one out but I thought I'd throw this question out there first to see if anyone knows. The diagram in the FSM isn't specific enough to tell if this is possible.
My end-goal is to remove one half of the seat, build a plywood frame to match the level of the rest of the bed so that my gal and I can sleep in the back. I'm a bit too tall to fit in the bed when the seat is stowed and folded but she fits fine.
I did up a model of the bed when I was bored a couple days ago. The measurements were done with a measuring tape but they're not super precise. Here's a screen shot for the nerds in the bunch.
My end-goal is to remove one half of the seat, build a plywood frame to match the level of the rest of the bed so that my gal and I can sleep in the back. I'm a bit too tall to fit in the bed when the seat is stowed and folded but she fits fine.
I did up a model of the bed when I was bored a couple days ago. The measurements were done with a measuring tape but they're not super precise. Here's a screen shot for the nerds in the bunch.
