Outward Facing 3rd Row Seats?

[DuManchu]

Has anyone tried swapping the seats (not the brackets underneath, since I know they won't swap) and making them face outward for fishing, tailgating, chillin, etc... ?

I'd like to give it a shot this weekend and wanted to see if anyone else has tried.

 

[gbell210]

I don't have an answer for you, but I think its a good idea too. It would even be nice if you actually use the seats to haul people, since there is a handle on the hatch and everything so they could get out easier as well. Only problem I see off hand is the seatbelts. The would either need to be adapted for the other direction, or just converted to lap belts. The reclining positions might even be more useful then too.

I'd be interested to find out results too. Or has anyone made/modified 3rd row seats so they are more like the 40's where passengers back there would face each other? I have seen pictures of the barn door wagons having seats like this, but haven't seen any in this country.

 

[DuManchu]

I don't think I'm going to worry about the seat belts at this time since the seats will be used when its sitting still. I'm gonna look into it tomorrow, I'll keep everyone posted on what I find out.

 

[stayalert]

I like the sounds of this idea but don't want to re-invent the wheel....WHAT HAPPENED?

 

[DuManchu]

Well, I took the seats out, but then ran out of time because of a road trip. When I got back our washer fritzed on us again, so I've been looking for a new washer in my spare time. Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get to it.

 

[PabloVTA]

I saw on the toyota gibraltar page that they have a set up that uses the seats that way. I think it was their tactical truck.
I inquired about parts, but got the token "thanks for responding" email.

would you want it fixed permanently or something you can just switch around in a hurry? I think a fixed bolt down would be a bunch easier, but a hassle if you deal with loads often.
I'd be willing to machine some mock ups for you. toss me your ideas and i can maybe draw something up in solidworks for you to work with also.

 

[DuManchu]

Well, I screwed around with it a little tonight and it seems as though its probably gonna be more trouble than its worth. I got real close, but there's some clearance and bracket problems, not real terrible problems, but enough to make me quit for the night.

I really want to basically have the same functionality of the jump seats, only facing the other direction.

Maybe if I get bored this weekend I'll give it another shot and see what I can come up with.

 

[177mph]

I found this thread while searching for ways to quell the rattles in my barn door. This sounds like a cool idea. Has anyone been able to do it???

 

[DuManchu]

I fiddled with it for a long time way back when and gave up.

I'd still like to do this, but unfortunately I have other things I need to get to first.

I think it can be done, but there needs to be some swapping of brackets and seat bottoms.

Its probably more trouble than its worth, but I think it would definately be cool.

-Andrew

 

[sc40]

i just dont bolt mine in when i use them like that