Replace '02 front seats with ??? Need help, please!

[Ray K.]

Hi, I just joined after lurking for a few days and this is my first post. I'm familiar with most forums etiquette so I've tried using the search feature first.

Here's my dilemma. I just bought a 2002 4Runner SR5. I love the truck in ever way, except for the front seats. They are the original, "plain jane" seats with very little lumbar support. I didn't notice this on the short test drive, but my lower back is letting me know about it now. I'm kind of desperate for a fix.

What are my options? I'm willing to invest in new seats if I have to, but would certainly love to find used ones if possible.

I called two local dealers and was told that seats were not sold as a whole, but instead by individual part. I didn't get a price quote.

I also called several local salvage yards in my area with little luck. One had a passenger seat only.

I'm thinking that I need the Sport seats from that year. I believe it has a manual adjustable lumbar support (?).

I'm looking for cloth (Gray) seats only, though I suppose I could have leather seats reupholstered if I found a really good deal. I am also fine with manually adjustable. Although, I wouldn't turn down power seats if I can get some help with wiring them.

I did talk to one upholstery shop and he can redo my seats and add more padding in the lumbar area. I may have to go this route if I can't find replacement seats.

I sit tall, but have good headroom right now. Any seats that I get would not need to be much taller. Maybe a couple of inches at the most.

I would really appreciate any help or suggestions!

Thanks,
Ray K.

 

[pat161]

If you have the base seats then I fully agree, they are terrible. I had those in my 00 and found some leather power seats from a LTD on ebay, that was the best upgrade I ever did. I now have an 02 Sport, basically the same as the limited seats, just no power. While I do like these seats they are still not the most comfortable out there. Finding them used may be hard as these trucks run forever and only wrecked ones end up in salvage yards. The reupholstery route may be the way to go as they could custom them to your body, and probably cheaper then new seats. If you can fabricate most any bucket seat can be made to fit, my friend has Volvo seats in his 03 Tundra and they are incredibly comfortable, my sport seats don't even compare.

 

[Ray K.]

Thanks for replying, Pat. See my replies below.

upgrade I ever did. I now have an 02 Sport, basically the same as the limited seats, just no power. While I do like these seats they are still not the most comfortable out there.

No power would be fine with me. Just so I understand while shopping around, do your seats have manual adjustable lumbar support?

Finding them used may be hard as these trucks run forever and only wrecked ones end up in salvage yards.

It's starting to look that way. I called one today. He has a '99 coming in Tuesday, but he's not sure which seats are in it. I'll need to check back with him then.

The reupholstery route may be the way to go as they could custom them to your body, and probably cheaper then new seats.

Right now, it appears this in the only way I have to go. I'm sure it will be less expensive, but I really would love to have the sport or other/nicer seats.

If you can fabricate most any bucket seat can be made to fit, my friend has Volvo seats in his 03 Tundra and they are incredibly comfortable, my sport seats don't even compare.

Something to consider. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, it's just a matter of finding the right seats first.

Thanks again,
Ray K.

 

[Ray K.]

I got a call from a local shop that does upholstery and much more. The guy had been nice enough to try and find seats for me, looking nationwide. He wasn't having much luck either.

But, here's the good news. I went by the shop so he could take a look at my seats. He can re-upholster them AND add an aftermarket adjustable manual lumbar support. He quoted $550 for both seats.

I'm relieved that I have what sounds like a good option, and will probably have it done soon.

If anyone is interested, the lumbar system is by Schukra. Here's a link with a photo: http://www.schukra.com/prd_manual2.html

I'll post back after it's done and will try to include some before/after photos.

Thanks,
Ray K.

 

[sn0wrunner]

I need new seats really bad. I've been looking everywhere and cant find any. How much do you think it would be to just re-upholster minus the lumbar support?

 

[Ray K.]

I was quoted $175 per front seat without the manual lumbar. I don't plan to do the rear seats at this time.

I'd suggest calling upholstery shops in your area for quotes. They might want you to drop by so they can take a look.

Good luck,
Ray K.

 

[Ray K.]

New seat prices

Well, in my seemingly never ending seat saga, I've finally found some information that might be useful to others.

Thanks to one of the sponsors here, Partznet (aka Conicelli Toyota), I got prices for new front seats. These are the sport models in Medium Charcoal or Gray cloth.

MSRP...are you sitting down?
Seat Back Assy, Right $800.71
Seat Back Assy, Left $629.93
Seat Cushion Assy, Right $626.58
Seat Cushion Assy, Left $626.58
Plus Freight shipping.

But, of course, their Internet prices are much better.
Seat Back Assy, Right $612.54
Seat Back Assy, Left $481.90
Seat Cushion Assy, Right $479.33
Seat Cushion Assy, Left $479.33
Plus Freight shipping

I still have a bit of sticker shock, but I'm glad to finally talk to someone that could give me this information. Thanks to Matt at Partznet!

Hope this helps.

Ray K.

 

[Ray K.]

Sport seats found!!!

I was scheduled to take my truck to the upholstery shop so they could change out the fabric and add the Schukra lumbar supports this morning.

Well, yesterday afternoon I got a surprise call from an "off the beaten path" used parts dealer who said he had found some seats. I was glad to hear it, but naturally was hoping they were truly the Sport style seats that I've been looking all over for.

I went by this morning, and sure enough it was a pair of Sport seats in good condition. I paid the guy $225 for the pair and took them straight to my upholstery guy. These were tan and I have a gray interior.

Nice that I can still drive the truck until they finish re-upholstering the seats and then they will finish the install using my plastic parts.

I'm slightly excited about it all!

The only hopefully minor thing, is the chrome headrest supports have a bit of rust. I kept those with me and will hit them with a wire brush, etc. to see how they come out. I might have to paint them, but that would be ok.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

This is going to make all the difference in the world for me.

Thanks for listening,
Ray K.

 

[Rock Slide]

Re: Sport seats found!!!

I went by this morning, and sure enough it was a pair of Sport seats in good condition. I paid the guy $225 for the pair and took them straight to my upholstery guy. These were tan and I have a gray interior.

Great find Ray. As you found out earlier, the dealer prices are insane.

Just to make sure I understand what you're saying, did you purchase a set of tan sport seats to mount in your gray interior or are you just taking the parts out of the sport seats and having them mounted into your existing tan seats?

 

[004Gunner]

Try some oil and steel wool on the chrome before going with the wire brush. If it's minor enough it will come off without ruining the crome finish

 

[Ray K.]

Re: Re: Sport seats found!!!

Great find Ray. As you found out earlier, the dealer prices are insane.

You betcha. Glad I was sitting down at the time.

Just to make sure I understand what you're saying, did you purchase a set of tan sport seats to mount in your gray interior or are you just taking the parts out of the sport seats and having them mounted into your existing tan seats?

Yes, I bought a set of tan cloth Sport seats to replace my standard gray seats. The upholstery shop will use my plastics so I don't have to go buy all gray parts to go with the "new" Sport seats being re-upholstered to gray cloth.

Hope that makes more sense.

Ray K.

 

[Ray K.]

Try some oil and steel wool on the chrome before going with the wire brush. If it's minor enough it will come off without ruining the crome finish

Good advice. I actually was planning to try this first, I just didn't mention it. I'll start "easy" with 0000 and then go to 000 steel wool, probably using gun oil.

If I don't get the desired results after working with the steel wool and maybe other milder abrasive cloths, then I'm thinking I'll have to paint them.

I've never tried something like Dupli-Color's Chrome spray enamel. But I might give it a try, if needed.

Thanks,
Ray K.

 

[Rock Slide]

Re: Re: Re: Sport seats found!!!

You betcha. Glad I was sitting down at the time.

Yes, I bought a set of tan cloth Sport seats to replace my standard gray seats. The upholstery shop will use my plastics so I don't have to go buy all gray parts to go with the "new" Sport seats being re-upholstered to gray cloth.

Hope that makes more sense.

Ray K.

Gotcha...that makes sense :bigok: