Weird question about driver's seat..

[RallyWerks]

Hey guys, so the wife and I finally pulled the trigger on gently used '03 Limited (which we love), but i'm trying to figure out what the deal is with the leather on the driver's seat. The Carfax when we purchased it didn't so any incidents at all and I checked the vin stamps on all the doors and panels, so i'm 99.99% sure it has not had an accident in it's life.

My suspicion though is that something weird happened with the driver's seat where an airbag may have been deployed. I'm really hoping not but just want to know if anyone else's seat looks like this.



The back part of the bottom is all misshapen and the bottom stitching is too tight to fit under the plastic. Just trying to figure this out.

Thanks guys

Chris

 

[ebg18t]

Looks like it may have been a leather seat cover and the edge is popping out from the plastic trim cover. Might just need to be readjusted.

 

[Brian3676]

Had it happen on my passenger side. Pushed it back in and has not been an issue since. I suspect I did it when cleaning the leather

 

[strathcona]

Don't forget it's 12 years old and getting in and out of the seat, not to mention adjusting it for different drivers may have cause some shifting.

That being said, the leather looks to be in fantastic shape for the age of the vehicle. Congrats on the purchase.

 

[RallyWerks]

Thanks guys! Yeah that makes sense, it is 12 years old and it is the driver's side. thanks for the help and I will try and get it readjusted. I assume taking the plastic off the bottom and repositioning the leather cover should do the trick then.

Thanks again, and these forums are great!!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

It may have been reupholstered because the old leather was bad, try to tuck the sticking under the plastic and see if you can live with it. If not there's a thread somewhere that shows how to tear down the seat cushion, you may be able to stretch the leather a bit better.

 

[inscarguy]

if I remember correctly there is a plastic clip attached to the leather in that area that curls under and clips to the seat frame. just take off the plastic side covers(2 or 3) Phillips screws and unclip the power seat switch and the cover comes off. if the clip popped off the frame just pull tight and try to clip it back on. it should be tight but it will go. then reassemble.

good luck.

 

[V8Man]

I did not know 2003 had side air bags.

 

[Bossman]

I'm with BlackWorksInc on the suspicion of that side of the driver's seat being re-upholstered.

My 03 has all kinds of tears and cracks in the thin vinyl covering in that very spot of the driver's seat. I suspect the previous owner had it fixed up for when it was sold. Hopefully you can get the leather to stretch back into proper shape.

And, yes, V8man the 03 (at least my Limited) has side airbags in the upper seat area.

 

[Sungod]

I did not know 2003 had side air bags.

Best observation so far. The 03 does not have airbags in the seats.

 

[Bossman]

2003 Does so have side airbags (as an option)!

Vehicle details

"Side airbags: front and second row head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags (standard beginning with 2008 models, optional in 2003-07 models)"

Under optional equipment:

http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist42003.html

"Side curtain shield air bags and seat mounted side air bags"

 

[V8Man]

Maybe I should have stated " I have never seen a 2003 with a side seat air bag. It has to be a very low percentage of the T4R built for 2003 that had this option."

 

[Bossman]

V8Man - If I am ever in Edmond, Oklahoma I'll stop by and show you mine

I will also be playing up this side airbag option if/when I sell my 4Runner

 

[Sungod]

I wonder if that was a Canadian option. I don't remember it being one in the US. I will pull out my old brochure and see what it says.

 

[pjbrownva]

Hey guys, so the wife and I finally pulled the trigger on gently used '03 Limited (which we love)...

Congratulations. I think you'll really love it.


fftopic:

...
, but i'm trying to figure out what the deal is with the leather on the driver's seat... I'm really hoping not but just want to know if anyone else's seat looks like this.

My seat doesn't look like that, but that sure looks like my wife. Exactly when did you take this photo? I need to make sure my wife wasn't "out of town" at the time!

ound: :lalala:



View attachment 164312

 

[pjbrownva]

What... no likes... comments... not even a grin or a flame!!!

Maybe I'm not as funny as I think I am...

Or maybe no-one appreciates my silliness on a serious thread.

Any way... congratulations on your new T4R. Yesterday, I just picked up a 08 Limited with a V8. I sunk my old 4 runner just over 2 weeks ago... so I was in major withdrawal until I got a replacement.

And yes... if you didn't see the thread, I actually SUNK the 4Runner. Even though it was recovered, it was totaled.

Regarding your leather seat. I'm assuming that if you take part of the seat apart, that you would be able to pull the leather straight and taught, and reassemble it so that everything is smooth and back the way it should be. Try searching for a thread on seat disassembly. I'm sure someone must have written it up with photos.

Good luck!