Well my conversion is kinda centered around a Tuffy center console I picked up today from Facebook marketplace. I want to do a bucket seat conversion. Anyone attempted this? Does the fuel tank have to be relocated? The bench seats don’t really provide any support while driving.
Has anyone done a bench to bucket seat conversion on a 71 or earlier fj40?
- Thread starter Javadca20
- Start date
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I'm told it's all part of the "experience". I have a good chiropractor so I haven't gone down this road yet. I'll be watching to see what others have done.
You can do it easy. I made new brackets. you will have to hug real tight to the fuel tank. These are from a 2010 Lexus ES350. Passenger seat will sit about 4" higher than driver seat.
JP
JP
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I did this over thirty five years ago to a 68 using the buckets seat from a 74 FJ40. I liked the 73-78 bucket seats because how robust the seats are and how easy they were to install. But I used the factory center console which not sure if it would work with the Tuffy center console.
- Thread starter
- #5
You don’t think the stuffy will fit ?
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
The frame on the front runs across between the seats. Not sure if it would interfere with the Tuffy console.
Ive got a 1970 tub on my '77. I welded up some new frames and seats went in no problem. You will loose the tool box, unless you get creative on the drivers side. I use mine for a stereo amp, keeps everything hidden and secure.
Next up is to get my tuffy center console mounted, but that should be pretty straight forward.
Next up is to get my tuffy center console mounted, but that should be pretty straight forward.
AZMoonshadow
SILVER Star
Yep, I agree with many here. I too pulled the bench seat from my FJ-40 (1970 - 7/69). The first time, I took apart the stock bench seat and reused the seat frame to mount bucket seat brackets. (not advisable) About 10 years ago, I finally rebuilt the entire frame out of square tubing and mounted the passenger bucket and Tuffy center console. I also mounted the driver's bucket to a separate frame above the lock box. It has worked great! Great pains were taken to make sure both frames were of equal height.
- Thread starter
- #10
got any pics of the frame you built?
Here is a thread from FAQ section Aftermarket seats.....
JP
JP
I can send pics tomorrow of my 64 fj40 converted from original bench seats to what I think are +\- 1976 Toyota fj40 buckets. The frame accommodated the under seat gas tank .... but the tank has since been removed.
- Thread starter
- #13
I would appreciate that!
This is a good thread. For Sale - Seat Frame for Aftermarket Seats
I updated my seat situation 2 weeks ago in my 71 and my 8” Tuffy console is on its way.
David70FJ40
Older Than Most
I had the hot rod shop move the gas tank to the rear when they replaced the rusty front floors and rusted out tool box. I also go a pair of 2004 Sebring front seats from a convertible with built-in seat belts installed with custom made brackets. We later installed a console. Can't find the photos. The seats I purchased came from LKQ, for $80/pr, are electrically adjusted with lumbar support and heated which isn't wired in yet and I had them recovered.
Back in 1974 I made a separate frame out of square tubing that fit over the gas tank on my 70 FJ40.
For the drivers side I used part of the stock rails and adapted Toyota Corolla buckets to them.
After those seats got so worn out that my wife was complaining about the Duck tape sticking to her dress on warm days I scored some later model Toyota buckets and with some further redneck engineering adapted them to the frames.
I stuck with Toyota seats because I am a stickler for originality plus the first set I got cheap and the second set were flat out free.
It's amazing what you can do with bungee cords and a little bailing wire.
For the drivers side I used part of the stock rails and adapted Toyota Corolla buckets to them.
After those seats got so worn out that my wife was complaining about the Duck tape sticking to her dress on warm days I scored some later model Toyota buckets and with some further redneck engineering adapted them to the frames.
I stuck with Toyota seats because I am a stickler for originality plus the first set I got cheap and the second set were flat out free.
It's amazing what you can do with bungee cords and a little bailing wire.
Just did it this week. Used the factory seat frames and mounted some e30 seats I found for $150 - just a little fab work - and was able to keep the gas tank and the tool box in place. I used the e30 slider for the driver seat, but removed it from the passenger seat because it sat too high with it (the last pic shows how it sits now). It still has the fold-forward option. Very happy with it.
sorry for the delay on the photos I offered but Iwas called out of town on business the very next morning. But finally here are pics of my 64 bucket seat mounts.
