Slow Seat Rebuild - Any Advice?

[BamaDrewski]

So, the leather and foam on the seats in my 2000 T4R LTD 4WD have seen better days. I found two donor seats from the same year make and model and have been piecing together parts (new foam + leather + seat heaters) and when I am done, I will simply swap the old seats out and the newly refurbished ones in....

That being said, any advice on the wiring? The carbon fiber seat heaters recommend a 10A power source and I am thinking of using an "add a circuit" style fuse connection.

I bought the leather seat bottom cover off of Ebay. Not bad quality. Also added the carbon fiber seat heater with a control button that fits the blank slots to the left of the steering wheel.

If any one of our members has done this and would be willing to offer tips/tricks/advice, I would appreciate it!

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I did this a while back, using Ebay seat covers and a set of seat heaters from Amazon. I have an auxiliary fuse box in the passenger compartment, so I used two 10A circuits for the two seat heaters.

Installing the seat cover itself is straightforward, sleepydad has a great video tutorial.

One thing I would wholeheartedly recommend is ditching the '96-00 Limited lumbar switch, which I don't believe is intact on any 4Runner. I bought a plastic trim piece and matching switch at a junkyard from a '01-02 Limited, which is much sturdier:

 

[sleepydad]

I did this a while back, using Ebay seat covers and a set of seat heaters from Amazon. I have an auxiliary fuse box in the passenger compartment, so I used two 10A circuits for the two seat heaters.

Installing the seat cover itself is straightforward, sleepydad has a great video tutorial.

One thing I would wholeheartedly recommend is ditching the '96-00 Limited lumbar switch, which I don't believe is intact on any 4Runner. I bought a plastic trim piece and matching switch at a junkyard from a '01-02 Limited, which is much sturdier:

[MENTION=198376]4Runner4Leon[/MENTION] thank man... agree nobody has a lumbar button that is not broke! I will have to keep my eyes out for the 01/02 style button, mine pretty much stays in place.
[MENTION=25434]BamaDrewski[/MENTION] super easy man, you will nail it. BTW I did a complete AC re-do based on your post to get me started. you are the wind beneath my wings BamaDrewski.

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[Bad Luck]

[MENTION=25434]BamaDrewski[/MENTION] Where did you find the new seat foams?

 

[BamaDrewski]

[MENTION=25434]BamaDrewski[/MENTION] Where did you find the new seat foams?

I purchased the covers and the seat foam from this vendor:

Fits 1999 2000 2001 2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 DRIVER Side Bottom Seat Foam Cushion | eBay

I had to purchase the seat back foam from a dealer. I used McGeorge Toyota as they have better prices than most. Hope this helps!

 

[BigBluePile]

I did this a while back, using Ebay seat covers and a set of seat heaters from Amazon. I have an auxiliary fuse box in the passenger compartment, so I used two 10A circuits for the two seat heaters.

Installing the seat cover itself is straightforward, sleepydad has a great video tutorial.

One thing I would wholeheartedly recommend is ditching the '96-00 Limited lumbar switch, which I don't believe is intact on any 4Runner. I bought a plastic trim piece and matching switch at a junkyard from a '01-02 Limited, which is much sturdier:

Can you take a picture of the plug that goes into that lumbar switch? I have that newer side skirt but the harness was cut off when I got to it....

 

[BigBluePile]

[MENTION=198376]4Runner4Leon[/MENTION]

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Can you take a picture of the plug that goes into that lumbar switch? I have that newer side skirt but the harness was cut off when I got to it....

I don't have easy access to it now, and if I recall correctly the mounting tabs were pretty delicate, so I prefer not to pop the piece off just to take a picture. I don't recall doing any rewiring in that area though, so I am pretty sure that the connector for the newer switch is identical to the earlier one.

 

[BigBluePile]

I don't have easy access to it now, and if I recall correctly the mounting tabs were pretty delicate, so I prefer not to pop the piece off just to take a picture. I don't recall doing any rewiring in that area though, so I am pretty sure that the connector for the newer switch is identical to the earlier one.

No worries, I understand completely! Unfortunately, the plugs are completely different

 

[JT1USA]

Those ebay seat foams from US Auto Seat Cover look to be good quality. The OEM foams from the dealer are becoming increasingly hard to source and no one on Ebay has the front seat foam for the back support. However, if you are looking for true quality leather replacement seat covers look into Ridies.com. They are hand stitched in Fishers, Indiana. They offer Genuine Leather (Buffalo hide) and Nappa leather (Cow hide) in multiple colors to include light oak. They even make leather replacements for the rear bench seat and head rests. Competitive prices too.

 

[BigBluePile]

In case anyone needs it....