Thanks / Prado 150 rear seat removal/build
Submitted: Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 11:00
ThreadID: 152021
Views:756
Replies:4
FollowUps:4
David d25
Follow-on from thread:
https://www.exploroz.com/forum/85365/prado-150-gxl-3rd-seat-removal
The thread above is archived, but I figured I'd offer my thanks to the OP for their tips and the motivation to get this done myself.
Rear is now larger, and 50kg lighter. (Prepping for the big Lap later this year)
Rear seats removed
Closeup of the new bolsters
New floor, carpeted
new floor and bolsters finished
Foam rubber liner
Designing the bolsters
Reply By: Member - nick boab - Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:02
Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:02
Hi David . Presumably you are talking about removing a row of your seats . I don't know where or what I did see about this but I vaguely remember something about being LEGAL removing seats without modifying the VIN plate ?? I think I do know where I have seen it but as history has shown I must not jump to conclusions haha :)))
But i could be totally wrong ?? . cheers
AnswerID:
648803
Follow Up By: David d25 - Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:17
Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:17
Hmm, must say, I didn't even consider if it would be a legal requirement to leave the seats in. I'll have a poke around. Lots of people do this, but of course, that doesn't make it legal.
FollowupID:
930383
Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:56
Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:56
David,
Years ago when we removed the rear 2 seats in our Pajero, there was talk about people getting fined up in Queensland so I contacted the then Dept of Transport here in SA.
Had to make and appointment for when they came to
Clare and they said yes it is a legal requirement, so had to pay $120 then and removed the 7 seats from our car details and a new plate for my door saying now only 5 seater.
FollowupID:
930384
Follow Up By: Member - nick boab - Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:58
Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 16:58
Google search
FollowupID:
930385
Follow Up By: David d25 - Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 17:29
Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 17:29
The wording is interesting isn't it.
Theoretically, this isn't a permanent mod. I've specifically not changed anything that isn't removable, and have every intention of putting the seats back in after the trip. But I suspect the Dept. of Main Roads might not view that the same as me.
Annoyingly, the previous model Prado (120 series) had seats designed to be removed by the owner. It was a feature of the vehicle.
FollowupID:
930386
Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025 at 08:39
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025 at 08:39
Hi David,
As others have stated, it is legal to “temporarily” remove seats from your vehicle without changing the physical description of the vehicle, as long as the removal is temporary and can be reinstated. If the removal is permanent, then the vehicle must be have an engineer
sign off, and the vehicle reregistered/designated as a (in your case), 5 seater.
My Brother-in-law went through this exercise after his sister passed away. The third row of seats had been removed from her GXL Landcruiser, and when he was transferring the registration into his name, he had to reinstall the third row of seats in order for the vehicle to pass a roadworthy. Not only did the seats have to go back in, but if the seats had originally had headrests, the headrests also had to be in place. Fortunately, he had everything in storage. Once the vehicle had passed its roadworthy and registration changed into his name, he removed the seats again.
Macca.
AnswerID:
648805
Reply By: Member - LeighW - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025 at 09:03
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025 at 09:03
When I removed the
seat from my 120 back in 2009, the ruling in VIC was you could remove the seats
temporarily without needing to do anything.
I decided I wanted it legal for longer than "temporarily" so it was a case of having to conceal the
seat belts as you were not allowed to have working
seat belts where there there are no seats. Once this was done the vehicle was presented to VIC roads who inspected the work and then changed the vehicles rego to indicated it was a 5 seater and not a 7 seater.
From what I just read still seems to be the similar.
AnswerID:
648806
Reply By: Member - Bigfish - Thursday, Jan 01, 2026 at 06:55
Thursday, Jan 01, 2026 at 06:55
My 3rd row seats in my Pajero have been out since brand new. . Never had an issue. Of course this is only temporary. No one has ever shown me a time limit on temporary!!
AnswerID:
648810