Seat mod...Nylon spacers okay?

Is there any reason not to use nylon bushings to do the seat mod? Just wondering about strength vs aluminum...

 

I don't think spacer strength is the weak point of the modification, but rather switching bolts in order to maintain proper penetration into the floor anchor.

 

I agree. I did get the proper 10.9 bolts, so I should be good to go.

 

I've been running 3D Printed spacers for the past year without any issues. Like @s.e.charles said, use the proper 10.9 Grade bolts and you should be fine. I ordered a pack of 10 JIS 10.9 M10x 1.25 x50mm flange head bolts from McMaster Carr for about $12 delivered.

Enjoy your new seating position!

 

Dont know about this but I purchased some printed spacers (not metal) from a commonly used source, installed them and then when I went to remove them I could see stress marks in the spacer as well as some minor deformation. Theyre still sitting in my garage because I never threw them out and I wouldnt feel comfortable reselling them.

And before anyone asks, they were torqued to the spec 27 ft-lb.

 

My printed ones are made out of PET and are just fine. I rechecked the torque once.

By nylon spacer, I am assuming that you are talking about something at least 2.5in in diameter?

 

Yours were designed correctly though, the ones I ran were similar to the bar style ones sold by @olecoot, only they were nylon or some sort of printed material. I'd have to measure them again but they were as tall as they were wide, if not taller than wide. Not ideal in my opinion, hence the reason they came off.

 

Thanks for that.

 

If I can find them Ill get pics up later, there are visible stress lines. Eventually this marking will either lead to a separation of the material or cracks to form.

 

You could use a hardwood like walnut or hickory, it’s harder than a lot of metals

 

damn, bro. you're like the Amazing Kreskin!

 

What exactly do you gain by doing this mod?

 

I think I know which ones you are talking about...I had a set of those at first and they started to delaminate and "spiral" apart. After I caught that, I had my brother in law print up a set from PETG that held up great. Recently I had my brother in law print up a few sets of the "platform" style that blends with the cover from PETG at a 95% infill from a file that one of the members here on TW shared (thank you for that file by the way!) They look great and blend in nicely.

 

It's great to hear that they are working well for other folks.

 

Haha! It was you! Thank you again for that file

 

You are welcome. It made my wife happy in the passenger seat, so it is my pleasure.

 

My 3D printed spacers showed stress marks and were compressing a bit which led me to replace them with aluminum ones.

 

The Tacoma seats are low. This allows Toyota to have a low roofline for MPGs while having a high floor for ground clearance. Being non-adjustable seats, if you are slightly shorter than average, or don’t like sitting on the floor, the spacers make a huge improvement in seat comfort by raising the back of the seat an inch. Doesn’t sound like much, but a huge change in comfort.

 

Bolted joints get their strength through the stretching of the bolts. A 10.9 bolt is similar to a grade 8 bolt meaning that more torque is needed to get that stretch than an 8.8 bolt. Using a relatively giving spacer like one made of nylon will compress and you'll lose bolt stretch and the strength of the joint will be compromised, especially if it gives more over time. It's probably not the right tool for the job. I'd also imagine that the thermal cycling of being in a car will eventually compromise the nylon.... maybe not.

I'd opt for some type of metal in this joint.

 

Be careful of seat angle/height...there are limits to maximize front impact protection!