The Quest of Installing The Adapt Solutions Link Seat in my 2023 Toyota Sienna XSE FWD 25th Anniversary Edition

tcbtrippy said:

Are you putting in a new unit or transferring the one from your 2012? Often the mobility company gets parts with the install for the vehicle and seating position that is requested. If transferring an old one they should contact the manufacturer for specific bracketry for the vehicle it is now going to be installed in. That should include instructions for installation and often these address door mods. Some are as simple as adding spacers and some require welding extensions. I have done both. Also keep in mind that there is often a lot of airspace behind the plastic of the door panel and modifying that can give a lot of room for your knees. I have always built for the client that needs it and most of the time can make the mods look clean if not close to OEM. Worst case scenario go to a lowrider shop and make the door Gull wing. It will help keep the rain off while transferring.

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Thank you for the reply and insight.

Let’s get down to business. I was trying to have my Toyota Factory installed 2012 Sienna Auto Access seat transfer to my new 2023 sienna. All of the mobility companies I talked to don’t want to transfer “old” seats. The seat that came with Toyota, I believe was made by Bruno (the original inventor of the seat. But Toyota claimed they manufactured it). Mobility works claim that Bruno was sold out to Braun Mobility, which now sells a watered down version of that seat call Turny Evo. All mobility companies claim that they can’t transfer the old seat due to no transfer kit available or some other reasons.

Now I am forced to buy a new seat and can’t install the Adapt Solutions Link in the mid-row right position since my 2023 sienna comes with ottomans. What’s left is to put it in the front passenger position with very tight clearance. In fact made a 50% deposit down payment a few hours ago for it.

I was told I will loose the seat ventilation function, the seat shroud needs to be trimmed. The “B” pillar needs to be trimmed. I can only imagine there will be a hole somewhere in the B pillar besides the tight clearance.

May I ask, are you a mobility installer, and where are you located? You mentioned a lot of the stuff I wanted for my install that is wishful thinking from
All the mobility companies I spoke with.

I always joked about only if I can have gull wing door for my 2012 all these years simply because it will serve really well during rain transfer. You said you have made mods to door panels too. Can you give me any insight into this? Where are you located? I am in Florida.


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Sienna25AE said:

Thank you for the reply and insight.

Let’s get down to business. I was trying to have my Toyota Factory installed 2012 Sienna Auto Access seat transfer to my new 2023 sienna. All of the mobility companies I talked to don’t want to transfer “old” seats. The seat that came with Toyota, I believe was made by Bruno (the original inventor of the seat. But Toyota claimed they manufactured it). Mobility works claim that Bruno was sold out to Braun Mobility, which now sells a watered down version of that seat call Turny Evo. All mobility companies claim that they can’t transfer the old seat due to no transfer kit available or some other reasons.

Now I am forced to buy a new seat and can’t install the Adapt Solutions Link in the mid-row right position since my 2023 sienna comes with ottomans. What’s left is to put it in the front passenger position with very tight clearance. In fact made a 50% deposit down payment a few hours ago for it.

I was told I will loose the seat ventilation function, the seat shroud needs to be trimmed. The “B” pillar needs to be trimmed. I can only imagine there will be a hole somewhere in the B pillar besides the tight clearance.

May I ask, are you a mobility installer, and where are you located? You mentioned a lot of the stuff I wanted for my install that is wishful thinking from
All the mobility companies I spoke with.

I always joked about only if I can have gull wing door for my 2012 all these years simply because it will serve really well during rain transfer. You said you have made mods to door panels too. Can you give me any insight into this? Where are you located? I am in Florida.


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Sorry to say that I am all the way across the country in San Diego, Ca. I would try to contact Adapt directly. It may be that the dealers you are talking to don't service their equipment. I have been out of the business and am retired but I do know that many of the dealers are wary of installing units that are not ok'ed by the manufacturers because they belong to a group called NMEDA. It is self governing and NOT LAW in many of the cases that they refuse to do. There are many concerns about airbags and safety that will be very important to note in any modifications. I am unsure if your seat is Bruno or not. There should be a manufacturers tag somewhere on it to better identify what you have. There were other companies besides Bruno. Yours may be a Freedom from Adapt. I have modified vehicles all my life. I installed EMC systems so you could drive with a joystick. I built a DARPA Grand Challenge autonomous vehicle. I've built RV's out of vans and cross country Greyhound busses. You just need to not be afraid to do some research and think out of the box. On the other hand you are cutting up and modifying your brand new vehicle. I've done this for years so I still get people calling for advice once they find me. I have a Sprinter rv conversion showing up next weekend from Vegas that needs a transfer seat and hand controls and I have yet to meet the owner who lives in Arizona. The difficulty is finding someone that owns a tape measure, is mechanical, is creative, thinks things out, and you trust.

Best of luck. It may well be it can't be done. But it isn't rocket science.

tcbtrippy said:

Sorry to say that I am all the way across the country in San Diego, Ca. I would try to contact Adapt directly. It may be that the dealers you are talking to don't service their equipment. I have been out of the business and am retired but I do know that many of the dealers are wary of installing units that are not ok'ed by the manufacturers because they belong to a group called NMEDA. It is self governing and NOT LAW in many of the cases that they refuse to do. There are many concerns about airbags and safety that will be very important to note in any modifications. I am unsure if your seat is Bruno or not. There should be a manufacturers tag somewhere on it to better identify what you have. There were other companies besides Bruno. Yours may be a Freedom from Adapt. I have modified vehicles all my life. I installed EMC systems so you could drive with a joystick. I built a DARPA Grand Challenge autonomous vehicle. I've built RV's out of vans and cross country Greyhound busses. You just need to not be afraid to do some research and think out of the box. On the other hand you are cutting up and modifying your brand new vehicle. I've done this for years so I still get people calling for advice once they find me. I have a Sprinter rv conversion showing up next weekend from Vegas that needs a transfer seat and hand controls and I have yet to meet the owner who lives in Arizona. The difficulty is finding someone that owns a tape measure, is mechanical, is creative, thinks things out, and you trust.

Best of luck. It may well be it can't be done. But it isn't rocket science.

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I am guessing it is Bruno because the base shroud and buttons looks exactly like the Premium Class Seats that Bruno offered. It did came with my 2012 Sienna Toyota factory installed. The van was a special order. No labels anywhere to be found. This is dating back 2011.

Actually the mobility rep did mention NMEDA today when I spoke to them saying they need to report back every vehicle they modify. He said it is some sort of law thing they have to abide by. Now I get more insight from you that it's not Governtment law, but NMEDA association laws. I was thinking in the direction after you indicated why their unwillingness. Make sense.

I was actually wanting the Adapt Solutions Link seat in the back. Told them I will have Toyota modify the ottoman captain seat into a non ottoman seat with OEM parts so that they claim the Link can be installed. They said no if the car was modified in any way. I was flabbergasted. I told them I will even sign disclaimers for it if something goes wrong they will not be responsible. They would rather not make the sale instead. I was kind of pissed off. Not to mention they did not want to transfer the old seat for me, and now buying a new one is equally a hassle.

I was going out of my county all the way to the other side of the state to make it happen. That mobility company just ignored my entire inquiry and talks about using the Braun. I gave up and submit to the local mobility company for Link in the front position.

I will definatey come back to here and ask for your advice after seeing that what they will do to my van. I wish I be closer to your side.


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tcbtrippy said:

So you originally wanted to move the seat to the second row at the sliding door? That should be easily accomplished. Pity you aren't closer or planning a cross country vacation. Typically the most difficult part is finding me. It just means that you don't get the NMEDA sticker on your driver side B pillar. Yes, as a member of NMEDA they do record and report the modifications. As an owner you can pretty much do anything you want to your vehicle. Also note that an OEM seat from a wrecking yard should bolt right in to your old van for resale. You may need some of the OEM connectors and wiring pigtails for the airbags to solder in.

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Yes, from mid-row right to mid-row right. That was exactly what I wanted to do since the seat in the mid-row right is actually newer and in better condition than the van. It's perfectly usable and why waste it. Besides, the seat aesthetically looks superior and mechanically works superior with build in forward/backward and leaning functions while entering/exiting the van. And not to mention remote control fobs which none of the new seats come with. They come with a very ugly looking old fashioned dongle on a phone curly able that has no place to sit properly when not in use. It cost even $7.5k back then. They all shook their heads. I was frustrated for almost 2 months for this shortly after placing a deposit for my new van. Finding a van at MRSP was difficult enough. Waiting for it was even more of an issue. Finding out that the New Adapt Solutions Link seat can not (they will not) install it in the Mid-row right position because of the Ottoman. Toyota would not modify the order with no ottoman. Mobilities refuse to install even after I stating I will modify the seat with original parts to acommadate the installation. I kind of hated myself for it during the whole process since I opted for the nicer 25AE version just wanting to have my mom ride in style just like the rest of us in the van. Low and behold, it was exactly that action that prevented the install.

A local repair shop was willing to do it, but I was hesitant if he has the knowledge to do it since it will involve wiring besides getting the feeling from these mobility dealers that programming required makes it impossible. He is also not expert an it. It made me want to rip the thing out myself and put it in the new one. Like you said, it's not rocket science. Besides the above, there is also a warranty issue I am worrying about. Will it also void some warranty now even if mobility companies install the new seat? I was told dealerships don't like modification and won't even touch you car for recalls if modified. Maybe I will yet have to find out the hard way. I am still frustrated about it even now the situation is so called solved.

I still have the old van since I still need it for my mom before the new one is ready. The van has 85K miles even though it is almost 12 years old. It runs great. Engine sounds great. I took care of it really well mechanically. All things were done from Toyota dealer from day one. Only down side of it is the paint peeled off from the roof and most of it from the front hood. Interior almost close to pristine condition since not many rear passengers at all besides my mom and an occasional additional rear passenger. I take care of all my cars really well. I wonder how much I can get for it when I let it go.

Maybe I should take out the Access Seat out and keep it before selling the old van. Maybe I can install it on the back of my current van too if necessary. Is this advisable?

Since you mention NMEDA, what is the benefit for the mobility dealers to stick to it disregarding it's not government law? Is it comparable to Realtors being a member of the Realtor Associations since they won't make it if they don't belong there?

It sounds like you are committed to the front seat position now.

As to transferring mid row to mid row you should not need to reprogram. there should be plenty of room and a tale of the tape (measure) would tell you where to place it. The only wiring should be power and ground.

Addressing NMEDA. My boss at the time was one of the dealers instrumental in creating the organization, The idea was if they created a self governed organization it might (did) keep the government from doing it for them. Over the years there have been some tightening and restrictive measures taken that keep some of the lifts from being available in the U.S. primarily to protect us from ourselves (ignition, shift, and e brake interlocks) although some were still built here and available outside of our country (Braun swing-a-way lift). This and attorneys have made it so manufacturers are specific how items can be installed. A good idea overall because there are some hacks out there.That, and some of us do need to be protected by ourselves. I wonder how many people may have driven the neighborhood with a their kid outside on a turney seat to deliver newspapers or flyers. I have replaced some wheelchair lifts because people forgot to close the van and drove away with them out.

tcbtrippy said:

It sounds like you are committed to the front seat position now.

As to transferring mid row to mid row you should not need to reprogram. there should be plenty of room and a tale of the tape (measure) would tell you where to place it. The only wiring should be power and ground.

Addressing NMEDA. My boss at the time was one of the dealers instrumental in creating the organization, The idea was if they created a self governed organization it might (did) keep the government from doing it for them. Over the years there have been some tightening and restrictive measures taken that keep some of the lifts from being available in the U.S. primarily to protect us from ourselves (ignition, shift, and e brake interlocks) although some were still built here and available outside of our country (Braun swing-a-way lift). This and attorneys have made it so manufacturers are specific how items can be installed. A good idea overall because there are some hacks out there.That, and some of us do need to be protected by ourselves. I wonder how many people may have driven the neighborhood with a their kid outside on a turney seat to deliver newspapers or flyers. I have replaced some wheelchair lifts because people forgot to close the van and drove away with them out.

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Yes. I am committed (stuck) with front passengers position since I already paid 50% for it yesterday. Reasons for the decision:

1. Adapt Solutions Link cannot be installed in the back where I have Ottoman (foot rest) bucket seat
2. Prefer the original seat and air bag function
3. Braun Turny Evo come with its own seat and thereby removed the airbag (front or back).
4 Braun Turny Evo in back seat requires additional cost for seat belt ($1200 additional) and installation labor hours ($140 x unknown additional hours) due to gas tank drop?
5. Seat belt and related panel and shrout trimming will be tan color instead of black due to shortage?
6. Braun Turny Evo in front will loose airbag and original seat. Plus side in front is less installation hassle and cost.
7. The dead sentence of all reasons noted above. No mobility dealer wants to transfer old seat to new van. No one wants to touch it. It’s feels more like everyone wants to sell me a new seat. Better yet, all wants to sell me a ramp van for $80k+ with a 10 year+ mortgage term.

My decision might have been totally different If you replied a few hours sooner. Anyways, I was thinking if people give me peanuts for my old van (the access seat is very good condition and useful , not to mention the price), I might as well take the access seat out and sell it without it. Or just keep the van as a second car or backup.

It never amazes passerby’s every time during the almost past 12 years that I have this seat in my van.
I have never seen another besides ours. I think it being a rarity is because of the price. There are a lot of people who needs this I am sure. It will serve a lot of people well. But, the manufacturers want to keep prices high by selling low volume. Only if they can get over this thinking and sell for less at much higher unit volume. They probably make more $ that way. It’s sad to know that mobility vehicles and equipment are like a luxury commodity due to price while they are necessities.


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Widgets said:

Has the Link arrived yet? Has it been installed yet?

I close tomorrow on the 2021 Sienna Platinum AWD VMI conversion. I was able to get a decent discount below their asking price, and am getting more for my 2022 RAV4 trade-in than what I paid for it. Still more than I really want to pay

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Congratulations and good to hear you are finally closing on your mobility conversion van. Getting below asking prices is very good. Getting more for your RAV 4 trade-in than what you paid for is even better. Was the trade made with the mobility company? One of the mobility dealers did not want to give me any discount when they want to sell me a conversion when asked. I like VMI better than BraunAbilify even thought they said Braun is better. Being a Platinum AWD must be really costly. A regular non conversion Sienna Platinum cost over $51k MSRP.

I think I can relate to how you feel now since a vital piece of long awaited equipment is finally coming in since I feel the same way after months of planning, waiting, and frustration.

Yes. The Link was ordered on May 01-2023 from a local installer. It arrived on Monday and the van went in for installation on Tuesday. I was supposed to get it back today (Wednesday). But installer called me late afternoon yesterday and said one of the 3 motors In the Link was “shot” when they were trying to program it. An new motor was ordered and sent. They said hopefully I might get it back tomorrow if not probably Friday. I really hope I get it back at the latest on Friday. Hope they sent the motor by overnight. If not, then I don’t think I will get my van back by Tuesday. Terrible and I am a bit worried since it did not work during installation?

Had to settle for front passenger installation because they just won’t install in the back even if I modify the ottoman away with Toyota OEM parts. I asked another installer in the Largo Area (not the one you provided) as well and they did not even touch on the questions asked. Turns out as a fellow member and former mobility equipment installer here (see above posts) told me they are not willing to deviate from the norm because most dealers are NMEDA members that self govern their installations.

Either way, my mom always enjoy the front seat whenever I drive her going years back when I was much much younger. She was my GPS before GPS was available. We have a really close bond together. I can’t wait to put her in the new van since it’s been sitting in the driveway for over 5 weeks now. It felt really bad that I had to take her out all this time in the old van with no AC.

I will update you on it and maybe post some pictures or a video here. Post some pictures of your new van here after you take possession. Congratulations again.


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I have also seen a preference at the dealer for Braun over VMI. For the Sienna the VMI gives the largest area in the back to maneuver the wheelchair in the back. The VMI also has a hand crank to retract the ramp if the motor fails. I do like the Braun center console over the VMI, but everthing else is a draw or I like the VMI better. The conversion added $43K to the van.

It was through the local mobility dealer. I think they had more leeway with pricing due to it being used. It all depends upon how much they purchased it for from the previous owner. It was barely used with less than 2K miles on it. I splurged on the Platinum since I couldn't get a Platinum or Prime in the RAV4.

It has been a long time coming. The van had to be transported here, and days before I was scheduled to take it for a test drive, dad went in to the hospital. I put the deal on hold while he was there. I didn't want to buy the van unless I was sure he was coming home. The hospital stay was over a month, and at one point I was consulting with palliative care and hospice. He started responding to the treatment and has been discharged to rehab. The mobility dealer was great, holding the van while dad was in the hospital and letting me take my time.

The mobility dealer placed their NMEDA sticker on the van, adjacent to the original selling dealer's NMEDA sticker. They said they had to do this even though they made no modifications to the van.

On trips, whoever is in the shotgun seat also took in the roles of copilot and naviguesser. I fondly remember my mother directing me, telling me that I needed to turn... somewhere... uh... it is... back there!

I took a quick picture this morning when I got to the rehab facility.