Happy 2004 Alphard owner

[Jamie R]

Hi guys, new (2nd hand) 2004 Alphard owner here...

 

After a fair bit of research, I have just picked up this lovely 2004 3.0 Japanese import (sent payment for the CarVX report earlier today) She has 180,000kms on the clock and was imported into Australia in 2017.

 

What a great little car. I can't believe how well it drives, and that it just doesn't feel "big" on the road. Especially as my previous car is a 2010 Suzuki Jimny!

 

So far I am very pleased 🙏😊

 

Although, after what I thought was a pretty decent search, I can't find any links on how to remove the back seats!?

 

I know that this isn't the area, but if anyone can point me in the right direction, that would be great, thanks👍 

 

Looking forward to learning more about my Alphard, and seeing what others have done 🙏

 

Cheers, Jamie. 

 

 

[Rojie]

On 11/3/2024 at 9:28 PM, Jamie R said:

Hi guys, new (2nd hand) 2004 Alphard owner here...

 

After a fair bit of research, I have just picked up this lovely 2004 3.0 Japanese import (sent payment for the Carvx report earlier today) She has 180,000kms on the clock and was imported into Australia in 2017.

 

What a great little car. I can't believe how well it drives, and that it just doesn't feel "big" on the road. Especially as my previous car is a 2010 Suzuki Jimny!

 

So far I am very pleased 🙏😊

 

Although, after what I thought was a pretty decent search, I can't find any links on how to remove the back seats!?

 

I know that this isn't the area, but if anyone can point me in the right direction, that would be great, thanks👍 

 

Looking forward to learning more about my Alphard, and seeing what others have done 🙏

 

Cheers, Jamie. 

 

 

 

Hi Mate,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Are you aware the rear seats can be folded upright against the rear quarters and held there (almost) out of the way ?

 

May meet your needs if your load isn't too big.

 

 

 

[Jamie R]

3 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

Hi Mate,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Are you aware the rear seats can be folded upright against the rear quarters and held there (almost) out of the way ?

 

May meet your needs if your load isn't too big.

 

 

 

Thanks Rojie, Yes I worked that bit out yesterday. But, I need to remove the whole assembly so that I can build a floor, and then a bed etc. I thought that this would be reasonably common, but apparently not? 🤔

[Rojie]

On 11/6/2024 at 1:46 AM, Jamie R said:

Thanks Rojie, Yes I worked that bit out yesterday. But, I need to remove the whole assembly so that I can build a floor, and then a bed etc. I thought that this would be reasonably common, but apparently not? 🤔

 

It is quite common, but that doesn't necessarily mean easy.

Are you planning a fixed bed in the rear, or a rock & roll bed with a side conversion.

 

Just the rear seats ? Not the middle ones ?

 

You should be able to fold all the seats almost flat and put an airbed on top to level out for comfort.

 

There are simple conversions, and complex ones !

 

I believe to remove the seat rails from the seat runners you need to (at least partially) lift the seat rails to slide out the runners.

That involves removing carpets, insulation, etc.

 

At least the nuts on the underside of the floor should be captive !

 

This topic is covered somewhere on the forum.

You can search with the search box on your home page.

 

[Jamie R]

On 11/8/2024 at 1:38 AM, Rojie said:

 

It is quite common, but that doesn't necessarily mean easy.

Are you planning a fixed bed in the rear, or a rock & roll bed with a side conversion.

 

Just the rear seats ? Not the middle ones ?

 

You should be able to fold all the seats almost flat and put an airbed on top to level out for comfort.

 

There are simple conversions, and complex ones !

 

I believe to remove the seat rails from the seat runners you need to (at least partially) lift the seat rails to slide out the runners.

That involves removing carpets, insulation, etc.

 

At least the nuts on the underside of the floor should be captive !

 

This topic is covered somewhere on the forum.

You can search with the search box on your home page.

 

Yes, both lots of rear seats will be coming out so that I can put in a couch/fold out bed, fridge, battery bank, cupboards etc.

 

I'll have another play around with it today.

 

Maybe I should make a seat removal video while I'm at it!

[Jamie R]

Just now, Jamie R said:

Yes, both lots of rear seats will be coming out so that I can put in a couch/fold out bed, fridge, battery bank, cupboards etc.

 

I'll have another play around with it today.

 

Maybe I should make a seat removal video while I'm at it!

The slide rails and carpet can stay.

[Rojie]

9 hours ago, Jamie R said:

The slide rails and carpet can stay.

 

It is not uncommon for convertors to leave the rails in place, and cover with some medical grade flooring.

If you have a seven seater, each middle seat is secured by 4 bolts to the sliders (beneath plastic covers) and are easy to remove.

I don't know, but expect the rear seats are the same.

 

I believe you will need to remove the carpet and some insulation to access the rails to remove them and slide out the sliders / seat carriers.

Then replace them, or not, as you need.

 

Good luck

[Jamie R]

39 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

It is not uncommon for convertors to leave the rails in place, and cover with some medical grade flooring.

If you have a seven seater, each middle seat is secured by 4 bolts to the sliders (beneath plastic covers) and are easy to remove.

I don't know, but expect the rear seats are the same.

 

I believe you will need to remove the carpet and some insulation to access the rails to remove them and slide out the sliders / seat carriers.

Then replace them, or not, as you need.

 

Good luck

Thank you 😊 I took everything out, including the rails this afternoon. Now for some insulation and flooring! 🙏👍