AccessCab rear headrest removal?

How do you do it?

 

I had the dealer remove mine before I picked up the truck. I do know they are bolted on and you have to remove the plastic cover to get to the nuts/bolts.

 

Remove fold down seats by removing the bolts on each side of the fold down seats, then remove the tabs that are flush on each side of the rear panel that are about 3/4 the way up the panel, remove the bolt behind the tabs, carefully pop the panel off starting with the driver side panel first, once the panel is off you can get to the 4 bolts that are holding the headrest on, while you're at it remove the child restraint brackets, unless you have kids.

 

Thanks, I'll do that. Those headrests take up a lot space, and when folded up block too much visibility. And, while I'm at it, I'll remove the child restraint brackets too.

 

Here`s a pic of headrest removed, it comes in handy the most when making lane changes to check your blind side

 

Trying to get this done on my 2017 Access Cab, but can't quite figure out how to safely remove the three flush 1 7/8 x 1 5/8 panels. Even the thinnest of screw driver blades can't penetrate cover. Is there a special tool for this or just force it through. Just don't want to do damage. Also need to know if black plastic screws are behind all three of these panels. Thanks

 

Can't believe no one here has the answer on this. Guess I'll check with Toyota parts department on replacement tabs for panel. That way I can destroy a few. Older Tacoma trucks have larger and more accessible panels to get at those bolts.

 

I used a cell phone case splitter tool. A thin feeler gauge would work too.
I was able to sneak a socket wrench down once I had the top popped loose so I didnt risk busting many tabs.
Those headrests are just dumb...like anyone wants to ride back there anyways LOL

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/removing-rear-seats-and-back-panel-from-2016-access-cab.411587/

 

Thanks for the info, did you break the tabs up top near the headrest when you pulled it away? Just wondering if I should order some too along with the 3 panels. My thought was just to dremel the panels and replace with new ones when finished. Just don't understand why they make this so difficult.

 

Nope I didnt break anything. I would not sweat it. I did slightly gouge the little bolt covers pulling them off. Would of been nice to have a little notch for a screwdriver to pop those out but not a biggie. I dont think Yota wants you to remove the headrests as they are a safety device when people are riding in the back to keep their heads from going through the rear window when you get rear ended. Its so rare that we have anyone back there I was willing to risk it for the space I gained!

 

Don't try to remove those plastic pieces from the back. I did that and then had to glue it all back together. That's a whole panel that comes off.

 

Bought a 21IN1 General Cell Phone/Tablet repair opening tool kit on ebay for $7 and it included a ultra slim metal tool which worked great inserting it from the bottom of the tabs and all three came out with incident or scratches. Was able to pull entire panel away from top, pulling out a few of the red fasteners and now have enough room to get 12mm socket on four fasteners to get headrests permanently out. Ordered new tabs from Toyota but will not need them. Thank you casadetaco for the help. Much appreciated! Ron E

 

Job done with no damage to tabs or snap in fasteners. Had to pull away two levels of red fasteners to get enough room to access all four bolts. Looks great with rear visibility much improved.

 

Glad ya got it sorted!

 

Is there any version of the top child seat anchor that is independent of the head rest bracket? Mine are welded together. I'd like to keep the child seat while omitting the head rest. If worse comes to worse I suppose I can chop off the headrest posts way down load since I don't plan to use them again. But for some reason it seems smart to have the head rests in tact in case I want them back in the future... Or does anyone not want their head rests they removed so I can sacrifice them?

 

There are people who want those parts so if you are not planning on reconfiguring your truck back to original, post them in the classifieds once you hit 50 posts.