Ragtop Mod - remove rear headrests.

[Down2TheC]

I think this will be my first mod...
The rear headrests are huge in the ragtops. You only have a tiny porthole to see
and they take up 50% of your view. I hope they don't think that's for safety
(i.e. a pseudo roll bar.) If I roll, I'm toast... I can live with that.


If you pop the back plastic off there's the baby seat anchor (as if... who buys a
ragtop to put a baby seat in?) and some bolts. I'm sure they can come off but it looks
like I'll be left with a hole in the leather and a metal post. The latter is no problem
(p-grinder) but who do you go to for leather work? I've seen some custom interiors
out there so if there are recommendations/warnings, bring 'em on. If other ragtoppers
are thinking about it, I'd happily play guinea pig.

[Mole]

take everything out in the rear. that way you wont have to look at a few anchor bolts holes are.

but in all reality, you can perhaps use some tan (i assume the color of the leather is tan) tape to cover the holes.

can you take some pictures of the leather/ anchor bolt area?

[mikei]

I adjusted my mirrors properly as per posts on this website

and installed an Eclipse BEC-104 backup camera. I also

have a button so I can use my camera while driving forward

and I find it very useful. If you do not have Nav installed

an Eclipse AVN unit with the backup camera would fit the

bill nicely. The Eclipse AVN unit has a button on the display

to use the camera while driving.

[junest]

I would do what Mikei did ^^ before I remove the "pseudo roll bar", that is a safety issue. Do you really think those things were installed so that you can't see through the back? Plus if you remove it, I think it'll look funnier if there will be no headrests at all. IMO. And I don't think it'll help much at all, there are too many blind spots as it is.

[Down2TheC]

I've been gettin' by for 9 months so it's not a must... but that's what mods are about.
When I get the PC and the rv cams in I'll be set. Even so, I'd like the headrests
gone. They look stupid w/ top up or down. But I won't do it unless I can plug the
hole in the leather nicely (dark stone by the way). Maybe a one piece cap over the
back bench top but where do you go for leather work? Pics of the guts will be
put in when I get in there.

Mikei answered my question though... It is just me.

[nsx1164]

I think this will be my first mod...
The rear headrests are huge in the ragtops. You only have a tiny porthole to see
and they take up 50% of your view.

I agree -- rearward visibility on these can be challenging, particularly with the BIG blind spot covered by the C pillar / ragtop. While the headrests do obstruct the rearward view, I find the rear quarter blindspot is the bigger issue.

For now I'm just using my mirrors more...

My first mod was all-weather mats from weathertech.com (car in Chicago area). Second mod is a HID low-beam headlamp conversion -- kit/parts in hand, just haven't gotten around to installing it.

05 SLE V6 convertible - arctic frost pearl/tan with all options

[Down2TheC]

Man! You got your SLE in August? They must have stopped the '04 line for an hour, set up the new VINs and started '05 production! Didn't know they were out that early. Any idea how many 05s they made? '04 was just 12K but 05's are sitting in the dealership.
So how sick are you of hearing "Isn't that thing cold in the winter?" People are so dumb.

[Down2TheC]

take everything out in the rear. that way you wont have to look at a few anchor bolts holes are.

but in all reality, you can perhaps use some tan (i assume the color of the leather is tan) tape to cover the holes.

can you take some pictures of the leather/ anchor bolt area?

Just went digital so I'll take some pics once we have some sun.

[Down2TheC]

take everything out in the rear. that way you wont have to look at a few anchor bolts holes are.

but in all reality, you can perhaps use some tan (i assume the color of the leather is tan) tape to cover the holes.

can you take some pictures of the leather/ anchor bolt area?

Finally got to it... You can see the metal bracket would be left there and the foam inside. I'll check the Service manual to see what else is attached. But for those who think it's safety, I finally got a look at the G1 conversion ragtop. They don't have it. Just straigt bench. Might be safety for back seat riders but I don't put full-size people back there. In fact only one butt has graced the back seat in 10 months. So one way or another, off they go! (Once I find an asthetically pleasing way to do it.

[Down2TheC]

I paid a visit to the magical land of PhotoChop where stuff looks like you want it to.

[junest]

I'm still not sure about that look. I hope your passengers head don't snap off in an accident.

[slingshot]

Toyota should have put smaller half size headrests on the back seats so as to provide some comfort but obscure less of the rear. It still would have looked fine.

[Down2TheC]

I'm still not sure about that look. I hope your passengers head don't snap off in an accident.

That's what insurance is for! But I'll make sure to include a warning label in the mod. LOL
Actually, I can't see fitting anyone back there that would be tall enough to use the headrests.
And the stock look is the odd/new look. Check out ragtops on the road. Some have
little bumps, most have the straight bench.

[junest]

^^^I did notice the Sebring only have a straight bench.
Toyota should have done what Mercedes did for their hear rests, height adjustable.

[TranSolara]

I'm getting my new SLE convertible pretty soon and was looking at the 1st generation model as a comparison. The 1st generation convertibles did not have headrest in the back. It is a straight bench like the Sebring.

Wonder why did Toyota changed it?!?! Clearly, for safety reasons I assume.

I was going to put my spare headrests from the MDX into the Solara; however, it does not look like it would work from the pictures in this thread. Oh well!! I can wait to accessorize the new ride.