High Sided Captains Seats - Practicality ?

[sumogogg]

Hi,

 

(Still!) looking to buy an Alphard/Vellfire and wanted to ask for peoples thoughts on the high-sided captains seats that are found in the more top of the range 7 seaters ? I have seen a Vellfire that is very nice - but it has these big high sided seats (example photo added) and these are slightly putting me off from buying the car.

 

To me, they look a bit restrictive for general access and even comfort - I am not really sure why the plastic 'sides' are needed or what purpose they serve.

 

There is a more standard 7 seater version available with armrests - or even an 8 seater bench version, which to me seems to be the most sensible/practical option. 

 

What are peoples general thoughts/experiences with these seats please ?

 

Regards

 

 

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, sumogogg said:

Hi,

 

(Still!) looking to buy an Alphard/Vellfire and wanted to ask for peoples thoughts on the high-sided captains seats that are found in the more top of the range 7 seaters ? I have seen a Vellfire that is very nice - but it has these big high sided seats (example photo added) and these are slightly putting me off from buying the car.

 

To me, they look a bit restrictive for general access and even comfort - I am not really sure why the plastic 'sides' are needed or what purpose they serve.

 

There is a more standard 7 seater version available with armrests - or even an 8 seater bench version, which to me seems to be the most sensible/practical option. 

 

What are peoples general thoughts/experiences with these seats please ?

 

Regards

 

 

 

Hi Andy,

 

I don't have these in my Gen 1 facelift, the MZ G Edition.

 

It comes in the 7 seater version with 2 Captains seats, as you describe.

The seats are not electric, but do have in-bulit moveable footrests; which, I think, are quite adequate.

 

I would ask myself what 'type' of passenger will ride in those middle seats; and is that type of seating the most suitable for them.

 

As a limousine taxi, I am sure passengers would love them.

[sumogogg]

3 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

Hi Andy,

 

I don't have these in my Gen 1 facelift, the MZ G Edition.

 

It comes in the 7 seater version with 2 Captains seats, as you describe.

The seats are not electric, but do have in-bulit moveable footrests; which, I think, are quite adequate.

 

I would ask myself what 'type' of passenger will ride in those middle seats; and is that type of seating the most suitable for them.

 

As a limousine taxi, I am sure passengers would love them.

Thanks, I think all types of passengers will use them from kids to elderly - really I was hoping someone might be able to share daily expieriences of them as they look big and cumbersome - at least compared to 'normal' captains seats (such as those you mention on a gen 1 MZ-G). Also these high sides are only on gen-2or gen-3 to my knowledge

[Rojie]

3 hours ago, sumogogg said:

Thanks, I think all types of passengers will use them from kids to elderly - really I was hoping someone might be able to share daily expieriences of them as they look big and cumbersome - at least compared to 'normal' captains seats (such as those you mention on a gen 1 MZ-G). Also these high sides are only on gen-2or gen-3 to my knowledge

 

As I say, I don't have them but the benefit of armrests is that they can be moved 'out of the way'.

 

I suggest you check access to the rearmost seats.

[sumogogg]

Yes, that's what I thought for seats with only armrests, they have more 'open' access.

 

Interested to hear from anyone who has the 'high sides' and their experience of them. 

[skippy992]

Hi

have had a GL model with these seats passengers love them especially kids with the electric foot rest and recline I’ve fitted levers so seats can be moved from side to side as Toyota did not fit these to these seats just a blanking plate but cable is fitted just not the lever but can be ordered as a spare part from Japan.

Toyota Japan have not given any explanation why these weren’t fitted.

only down side to these seats is if your wanting to move a lot of stuff with the rear seats strapped up.

 I’ve attached a picture of the seat lever fitted not standard in this model with these captains seats’

[sumogogg]

Thanks @skippy992 much appreciated, also I wasn't aware of the levers on the side. Plus a good point about the space with the rears up I hadn't thought of that, I guess with the other seating ioptions these will push up more towards the front seats. 

 

Those seats certainly look very comfortable and a passenger is nicely cocooned in them. 

[skippy992]

Hi sumogogg

yes the seats move forward with that front lever and the other lever which is normally blanked out but with the option I talked about before allows seats to be moved from side to side also allowing them to be pushed further Back than would normally be the case due to seats hitting the wheel arches covers.

Other2 switches are for reclining seat and raising and lowering leg rest.

These are great cars I imported mine direct from the auction in Japan over 2 years ago into Australia where I now live but over in the Uk now visiting family hope that info helps you decide.

[Coog]

Few things to think about with them. Access to buckle with child seats is difficult. They don't / can't fold completely flat with the arm rests sticking out and the capitains seats dont really fold up. In saying that I don't find them too difficult to use with a couple of youngish kids and any adults I've taken have thought they were brilliant. 

[BigNev]

Hi there @skippy992 

I'm hoping to add those extra levers to ours, for the sideways movement advantage, do you hopefully happen to be able to remember, or find from your records, the part numbers?

I have looked on Amayama, and think I've found the right ones, but it would be nice to check with someone who's done it, as the name description is a bit off.

The number I'm coming up with is 72677-58010-CO, and 72678, but yours are beige so I would expect a small variation on the number string.

Hoping you can help me! 

Cheers!

[skippy992]

Hi bigNev

The parts are called lever sub assembly left  72058-58020-AO

& 72057-58050-AO right sub assembly

AO at the end denotes colour yours is black so would be replaced with CO

 

I ordered the parts from this company in Japan which I always source for hard to find parts specific for the alphard 

JP CAR PARTS these parts are not readily available I had to wait about 2 months for them to be made to order cost was about 3500 yen each plus shipping but you could check with them if you include your chassis no they will confirm they are the correct part very good company to deal with hope this helps please feel free to contact me for any other info you need.

 

These part nos are difficult to find too me a while to track them down from the parts catalog if you search under your car they will not be shown as not fitted they are only shown with cars without the captains seats.

Regards

[BigNev]

That's brilliant, thanks very much for that, I will get moving on that!

Cheers!

[BigNev]

Wow, found them, listed on Amayama! Same price as you managed to get them for!

Just before I go and press the button to but them, were you as confused as me on the many variations on the last 2 digits for what appear to be the same part!!

[skippy992]

Like I said you have to search a base Alphard as this is the only parts map it will show up on and is difficult to find.

just explain when you order and send them a photo of the part you should be able to google an image but that is definitely the part nos as I’ve still got the Toyota rappers for mine.

just confirm they are the black ones if you say they have them in stock that’s great perhaps because mine were cream that’s why I had to wait.

The parts have different nos as they are for left and right and are different.

cheers

[BigNev]

Really appreciate your help on this, as otherwise I'd be totally bewildered by the little variation in numbers on the Amayama site.

Sadly JP Car Parts said no stock. 

So, I've ordered them up, because if you've still got the wrappers with those numbers you can't give me any better confidence!!

I'll post some pics on here when I get them and fit them, with full credit going to you for the research! May help some others along the way hey!

Thanks again pal!

[skippy992]

Hi BigNev

Thats ok always glad to share information here is a photo of one of the rappers just to reassure you.

 

[Jimmympv]

I read this topic during my research before buying my Alphard and was kicking myself for not following the thread. Glad I found it again, thanks a lot for the part numbers. I've just put in an order for these, new wiper blades and the rubber TV remote control holder, that and the remote were both missing when it arrived in the UK, seems like they are very popular items to go missing. New one from Toyota was in the region of £200+ so I managed to find one on a Japanese auction site for £25. 

[skippy992]

Hi Jimmympv

I take it you’ve looked in the zip compartment that stores the head rest for the 3rd row as they are sometimes put there for shipping and also the storage compartment for the jack as I thought mine was missing till I had a good look and found them as I was going to purchase ones as well.

 

They really should be posted separately along with the gear knob another item that’s popular to go missing when cars shipped from Japan.

Regards

skippy992

[Jimmympv]

On 12/17/2024 at 2:56 AM, skippy992 said:

Hi Jimmympv

I take it you’ve looked in the zip compartment that stores the head rest for the 3rd row as they are sometimes put there for shipping and also the storage compartment for the jack as I thought mine was missing till I had a good look and found them as I was going to purchase ones as well.

 

They really should be posted separately along with the gear knob another item that’s popular to go missing when cars shipped from Japan.

Regards

skippy992

Hi Skippy, 

I did have a good look around there, found the centre headrest which I was happy to find, I'm sure there was some stuff missing from the jack storage compartment too. But I couldn't find a definitive answer as to what was supposed to be in there all together. 

 

Unfortunately the remote holder is OOS so I've been refunded for that, but the the levers and new wiper blades are on the way which is probably the more important items on that list.