Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Hi, folks. I just wanted to share a "modification" I just made to my Tacoma.
The Tacoma has a nice tan/khaki colored interior, which is easy on the eyes (a nice switch from my Outback, which had a black/gray interior.) Anyway, since we often travel with a dog, the flaw in the light colored upholstery became quite clear the first time the puppy jumped in with muddy paws.
I wanted to get seat covers, but there was a problem: My truck has the ridiculous "split bench" seat. I call it ridiculous because it's obvious that the only reason they put it on there was so that the manufacturer can claim that an extra-cab Toyota is a "5 passenger vehicle." Of course, the middle "passenger" would have to be a midget in order to sit in between the driver and front seat passenger, but that's how the vehicle was designed.
Anyway, looking through the seat cover section of the local Wally world, I of course noticed that there were plenty of cheap seat covers for bucket seats, and for bench seats as well. But those of us with the "split bench" were out of luck.
But then I took a look at the "split bench" on the Tacoma, and realized that it's not really a "bench" seat, but merely a set of bucket seats with the driver's side bottom cushion having an "extension" into the middle of the cab. The passenger seat is a straight up bench.
So, I got the idea to get some ultra-cheapo seat covers (it was $15 for the pair) and modify them with scissors to fit the split bench. Photos of the results attached. As you can see, the passenger side cover went on with no problems because the passenger seat is just a normal bucket seat. The driver's seat required me to cut along the seam of the seat bottom and the elastic "skirt" on the right side of the seat so I could slip it around the "extension" portion.
It's not particularly pretty, and it may not be particularly durable, but honestly if it will keep puppy pawprints off my seats for part of the Summer, then I'll figure I got my $15 worth out of them. I'll probably use a towel or a sheet to cover the "gap" in the middle under the console, but other than that, I'm pleased with the result.
Obviously the "best" way to go would be to either swap my split bench for true bucket seats, or get the custom-fitted Wet Okole seat covers, but either of those options would run me over $200 and honestly, I can think of a better way to spend that kind of money.
So, as I said, just wanted to share. Photos attached, along with a bonus pic of the dog!
NOTE: I posted this in General Vehicle Modifications because I figured there are probably other trucks that can make the same modification.
The Tacoma has a nice tan/khaki colored interior, which is easy on the eyes (a nice switch from my Outback, which had a black/gray interior.) Anyway, since we often travel with a dog, the flaw in the light colored upholstery became quite clear the first time the puppy jumped in with muddy paws.
I wanted to get seat covers, but there was a problem: My truck has the ridiculous "split bench" seat. I call it ridiculous because it's obvious that the only reason they put it on there was so that the manufacturer can claim that an extra-cab Toyota is a "5 passenger vehicle." Of course, the middle "passenger" would have to be a midget in order to sit in between the driver and front seat passenger, but that's how the vehicle was designed.
Anyway, looking through the seat cover section of the local Wally world, I of course noticed that there were plenty of cheap seat covers for bucket seats, and for bench seats as well. But those of us with the "split bench" were out of luck.
But then I took a look at the "split bench" on the Tacoma, and realized that it's not really a "bench" seat, but merely a set of bucket seats with the driver's side bottom cushion having an "extension" into the middle of the cab. The passenger seat is a straight up bench.
So, I got the idea to get some ultra-cheapo seat covers (it was $15 for the pair) and modify them with scissors to fit the split bench. Photos of the results attached. As you can see, the passenger side cover went on with no problems because the passenger seat is just a normal bucket seat. The driver's seat required me to cut along the seam of the seat bottom and the elastic "skirt" on the right side of the seat so I could slip it around the "extension" portion.
It's not particularly pretty, and it may not be particularly durable, but honestly if it will keep puppy pawprints off my seats for part of the Summer, then I'll figure I got my $15 worth out of them. I'll probably use a towel or a sheet to cover the "gap" in the middle under the console, but other than that, I'm pleased with the result.
Obviously the "best" way to go would be to either swap my split bench for true bucket seats, or get the custom-fitted Wet Okole seat covers, but either of those options would run me over $200 and honestly, I can think of a better way to spend that kind of money.
So, as I said, just wanted to share. Photos attached, along with a bonus pic of the dog!
NOTE: I posted this in General Vehicle Modifications because I figured there are probably other trucks that can make the same modification.
