Reupholstery versus 96-04 seats versus aftermarket seats?

Howdy y'all, when I purchased my tacoma it had broken headrests, broken trim and a huge rip in the seat. What are everyone's thoughts on reupholstery versus 96-04 seats versus aftermarket seats?

EDIT: Picture was taken when purchasing, truck is clean now with a new center console lid arriving Wednesday

 

Coming from a guy who has had stock seats, scion seats, 4runner seats, and corbeau seats....I would advise against reupholstery just based on other things that are broken and cost. Upholstery usually costs 600+ and looks like you'll need foam repair. Many aftermarket seats work with the right brackets but keep in mind they are seats designed to be in a ton of vehicles so they never fit perfect in my opinion.
If it was me I would look for a pair of better condition stock seats 96-04 or try to find the tacoma limited ones. 4runner sport seats will work but you will need to fab to make them mount up right.

 

What are your priorities when it comes to seats? How you answer that will really help to make the decision when it comes to your course of action.

• If the goal is to keep the cost low, then finding some junkyard 96-04 seats is your best bet. They will (likely) have a bunch of miles on them, so won't be the most comfortable, but they'll be in better condition, at least. Probably in the ~$100-200 range for a set.
• If you find the OEM seats to be comfortable, then a set from a junkyard might be OK if they aren't worn out (looking or the internals). Otherwise, perhaps reupholstering is a good idea. Probably in the $600-1000 range.
• If the goal is a perfect fit then OEM is the only way to go, and you get to decide from the options above.
• If the goal is more comfort or more support or more anything than OEM seats, you have three options:
  • Used seats from a Toyota or other car maker. These can range in price from $100-2000 depending on what you find and where you find it. More if you buy new because you want to ensure that the insides aren't worn out. Things to look for here are: fully manual seats, fold forward (if you have the xtracab especially). And, you'll have to fab up a bracket to mount them which can range from easy to extremely fussy.
  • Aftermarket seats in the mid-range segment. Corbeau, Ricardo, etc. fall into this bucket. price ranges from $700-2000. These can give you more/less support, etc. Brackets are generally available if you don't want to make your own. The key is finding some that are comfortable for your body type.
  • Aftermarket seats is the upper-range segment. Something like scheel-mann. Price is in the $4000 range (or more). These are generally considered to be the most comfortable, but have all the same install concerns as the mid-range segment as far as fitment goes.

You can see what the Corbeau installation is like in my build thread. Ultimately - after a bunch of work - I decided to go a different direction because I realized that the comfort of a seat is really the most important thing in a vehicle that you spend a lot of time in. For me, anyway.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-and-adventures.484602/page-220#post-26112829

​

 

The Corbeau seats and the Corbeau brackets are a great fit!

The brackets make it a very simple swap, less than an hour to do.

The foam bolsters on the Corbeau seats are not the best quality tho.

I had to have the drivers seat bolsters foam repaired and built up for better
durablity by local shop.

Love these seats tho,
They hug the hell out of you,
They sit lower the LG1 seats and I gained and inch or two of head room and some leg room over the 4 runner seats that I had before,

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/seat-upgrade-ideas-for-a-first-gen.372886/

 

With the right tools and knowhow you can make just about any seat you want fit.

 

tried the scion tc seats in my taco and they just sat too high, felt like I was going to fall out of the truck. they were insanely more comfy, just didn't sit right in the truck. Still have them collecting dust in the garage. Thankfully my stock seats are super clean and have no tears or stains, so I just put them back in the truck. Don't really drive enough for them to really matter any more. I guess one day I'll go with the corbeau seats... or use that money for a down payment on a newer taco.

 

I had the scion ones as well and the definitely sat too high and I’m average height

 

Big Difference

 

Covers?

 

Does anyone off hand know of any newer style 60/40 seats? I kind of like the poor man's bench, but my seats have taken a beating lately. It seems like buckets is kind of the only option unless finding a nice pair of used 60/40's

 

2nd gens had 60/40's or maybe just a bench, not sure. Ford Rangers have 60/40 seats.

 

Hmmm, that's good to know. Might be worth looking into. Probably require a little bit of light fab work, but that's nothing a few beers and some time can't take care of.

 

No way.
Replacement Front Seats | Page 2 | Tacoma World
See post 30 on.

 

Nice, Corbeau?