Prado Seat Removal

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 12:53
ThreadID: 41818 Views:13138 Replies:5 FollowUps:6
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Hi guys and gals,

Has anyone removed the 2nd row of seats from an 02 Prado, the 3rd row are designed to come out and is easy, but the 2nd row will mean unbolting from the floor... Just wondered if this is easy or if there is anything I should know...

Thanks
jason
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Reply By: prado-wolf - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 13:27

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 13:27
Hi Jason,

i only have 2 seats in the front left in my 02 Prado and i can tellyou it is dead easy to unbolt the second row and take them out.

No special tools required just a socket set and you are done. Putting them in is also easy if you need them again.

Have fun
AnswerID: 218809

Follow Up By: jnewlife - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 13:44

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 13:44
Cheers prado-wolf - just getting ready for 1st trip on Oz, may even stick an airbed in the back to save me buying a tent! LOL!
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FollowupID: 479230

Follow Up By: prado-wolf - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:19

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:19
The prado is a bit short for the airbed but will carry all your stuff around.
I have two Waeco fridges behind the front seats , i Waeco cooler for the drinks during the trip as well as two deep cicle sealed batteries to run all of that and the winch if needed.

I know all about the concerns about removal of the seats but so far i have not had any cop giving me a hard time in the last 4+ years so good luck.

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FollowupID: 479237

Reply By: Strawb - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:00

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:00
Hi Guys

I read somewhere recently that removing the extra seats and leaving them out for a certain time, voids the road worthy (vehicle compliance plate description) and also the insurance. There is a limit as too how long they can be out so if you are planning a long trip and they are to be removed for that time, I suggest getting clarification first.

Strawb
AnswerID: 218814

Follow Up By: Polaris - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:11

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:11
That is correct!

The seating capacity of the vehicle as shown on the compliance plate can not be changed. Can not be increased by the addition of extra seats , or decreased by the removal of existing seating.

If you wish to remove some seats, then you will need to have the vehicle inspected and re-plated by an authorised engineer. You will also need to advise your insurer regarding the changes.

I've been through the exercise - changing the seating configutation of a 22 seat commuter bus to a 4 seat motorhome.
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Follow Up By: Polaris - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:19

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:19
Regarding changing the configuration by removing some seats - the change will have to be permanent.
In other words, any seat mounting points will need to be removed or rendered unuseable - so that you can't simply bolt seats back in again. Would usually involve welding plates over the seat mounts.
This is similar practice to what is involved in changing a motorcycle configuration to a solo - no rear footpegs and a single seat only. The modification needs to be irreversable.
Same as welding up the barrels and mechanism of collector firearms.
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Follow Up By: Strawb - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:24

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 14:24
Found this link regarding the "rules".

www.anfwdc.asn.au/article_Detail.cfm?ID=24

Looks like it depend's which state you are in and the mood the coppers are in.

Strawb
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Follow Up By: Polaris - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 15:46

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 15:46
Great bit of reading Strawb ... in the case of our Hino there was a definite change in configuration - from a bus to a motorhome.

I had similar problems some years ago when i wanted to replace the single bench seat in our 4x4 F150, with a pair of bucket seats. In the US F150's of that vintage had optional bucket seats, but not in Australia. Mounts for bucket seats were already on the body - but if i changed them it meant ADR engineering compliance!

Everything is all well and good and hunky-dorry until you become the inocent party in an accident involving death or serious injury. Once money is involved - insurance companies and the legal fraternity will use whatever they can to escape a payout. Thats where most of the problem will be.
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FollowupID: 479250

Reply By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 15:37

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 15:37
Can't remember, is a '02 a 90 or 120 series? I got a 90 series (2000) and the middle seats bolt off easily. But I busted a plastic cover thing once trying to access the bolts.
AnswerID: 218826

Reply By: Member - Des - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 17:58

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 17:58
We took the second row out too. Saves a bit of weight as well as space.

Suggest that as you take out the brackets you write on the back of each where it came from (e.g. "left bracket pass side"). And don't lose them!

I think the compliance issue is a bit of a furphy. Just don't carry more than two in the car with the second row out.

We have a cargo barrier that goes in two positions. The forward position is designed for when the second row seats are folded up. When they are out, we gain a handy space between the front seats and cargo barrier for light things that you want to access quickly, like jumpers.
AnswerID: 218854

Reply By: jnewlife - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 21:20

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 at 21:20
Jeez, nothings simple eh? So if I inform my insurer that they will be removed for my trip (5-6 months) and ring the WA driver licence people... I can't see what the problem is as long as anyone in the car has a proper seat and seat belt... bloody politics and red tape!!
AnswerID: 218886

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