the 4hour drive will answer your questions you know. there is really no point posting it here when no one has the correct tools to fix the thing and further to that I know what I'm looking for when I see the car. most are going to tell you to go nuts with the door swtich which in your case is not going to help.
as it sits now with your car: SRS system offline therefore car unroadworthy therefore its NOT insured if you smack something.
bisebee,
yours is a similar issue. seat ram is farked. common on the V series cars from 2001-2004.