Use half of the 3rd row?

[Dan Higgins]

I removed my third row but may need to add another seat in the near future. I am curious if anyone has deployed only one side of the third row split seats. This would allow me to stack my cargo boxes on one side and use a third row seat on the other. I don't need to do this for a couple of weeks so no hurry. Just beginning some planning.

 

[Markuson]

I removed my third row but may need to add another seat in the near future. I am curious if anyone has deployed only one side of the third row split seats. This would allow me to stack my cargo boxes on one side and use a third row seat on the other. I don't need to do this for a couple of weeks so no hurry. Just beginning some planning.

Someone on the forum actually had half of a drawer set in, with the third row seat on the other side...so yes. It's been done. No reason not to if that's what you need.

 

[Dan Higgins]

Thanks. That's all I needed. We can close this dialogue now.

 

[Dan Higgins]

I will post pics once I reinstall and rearrange. But now that I know it can be done I don't need to actually do it for about a month.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Oh NO! There will be no closing of dialog.... well.... when we get board, then we can...

Yep, I use my 3rd row with only half down all of the time. It is really nice when you need the seat space and space for a black lab who likes to drool.... Way to go WeatherTech mats!

 

[MDarius]

Yup! You opened the can, here are your worms. It's our standard configuration. My youngest is over 6' and 14 yrs old. Nobody wanted the 3rd row but we had to use it or get a minivan. With only one side installed it is now the coveted seat. When you throw some soft things on the opposite side it's nice for stretching out those long legs. Without the 2nd seat in at all there is a lot more space available.

NOW you can stop the dialog.

 

[jetstream23]

Any pictures of this configuration? Seems like a win-win and a good balance.
Thanks.

 

[40Man]

I put half the seat down every time I have to give my half-assed brother in law a ride.

 

[Dan Higgins]

Thanks for keeping the worms coming. I'm getting more OK with the idea. Not that I didn't trust Markuson's view but my wife was concerned about safety and I'm not sure Markuson is the best person to ask about doing the "safe" thing.

I do think I'm definitely going to do this. If I am camping alone and sleeping in the back then I can deploy the seat on one side and lay out my sleeping bag/pad on the other. That way I have somewhere to sit when in the back of the truck with the 2nd row folded forward. I don't need to do this for about a month but once I get it set up I'll share a couple of pics.

 

[MDarius]

The seatbelts are independent of each other. Each seat is its own component. No safety issues. If you've installed the 3rd seatbelt back there you wouldn't be able to use that.

 

[Markuson]

Thanks for keeping the worms coming. I'm getting more OK with the idea. Not that I didn't trust Markuson's view but my wife was concerned about safety and I'm not sure Markuson is the best person to ask about doing the "safe" thing.

@Dan Higgins
What... meee? Unsafe? Never mind this wheelchair and that little incident where I fell off my own LC at 40mph... It's only a flesh wound! Hehe

 

[Dan Higgins]

A further question on this. Is anyone using (or tried to use) an ARB drawer on one side while using half of the 3rd row on the other? In other words, I am wondering if I were to install a driver's side ARB drawer and, when necessary, install/deploy the passenger side "half" of the 3rd row in case I need a 6th seat. Furthermore, I would want to be able to "clamshell" the driver/left side (the "60" side) of the 2nd row so as to create a temporary sleeping platform using the folded 2nd row and the ARB drawer on the left side. Does that make sense? Would it work or would it be stupid?

 

[Markuson]

A further question on this. Is anyone using (or tried to use) an ARB drawer on one side while using half of the 3rd row on the other? In other words, I am wondering if I were to install a driver's side ARB drawer and, when necessary, install/deploy the passenger side "half" of the 3rd row in case I need a 6th seat. Furthermore, I would want to be able to "clamshell" the driver/left side (the "60" side) of the 2nd row so as to create a temporary sleeping platform using the folded 2nd row and the ARB drawer on the left side. Does that make sense? Would it work or would it be stupid?

Not stupid at all. That's exactly what I do to sleep in back, using the clamshells second row to continue the sleep surface. I sleep on one side and leave the seat back UP on the other side.. I remove the third row because I have a full drawer set...but since the drawers are left or right, with the seam between them at dead center. The only question is whether the third row might hit a bolt or something on the drawer housing on the way down...but I doubt it.

 

[Dan Higgins]

I'll do some measurements on a LC with the 3rd row installed. (I had removed mine.) I may need to stick something between the side of the drawer and the seat. In fact, I may want to see if I can soften/hide the inner side of the drawer anyway.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

 

[TRD Burglar]

Taco, is that a homemade fridge slide/box? If not, what is it?

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

It's made by Tanami 4WD in Australia. The only issue I have with it, is that the slides need to allow a 100% extension. That way, you can access items behind the fridge, and not waste that space. I used to put two Scepter water cans behind my fridge and now a portable hot water heater there, so making sure the slide comes out enough to allow space to remove those items from around the fridge, and its enclosure is key.

Here's another option.

 

[Dan Higgins]

View attachment 1395168

Thanks! Very helpful to see a picture of one in use. It really helps me envision it even though I won't have a fridge sitting on the shelf I may put other luggage on it. Most the time I won't even have the 3rd row seat deployed. I just want to make sure it is an option when needed. BTW, do you leave the wire cage in place behind the 2nd row while using that seat in the 3rd row? Is this for when one of the kids needs a "time out"?

 

[Dan Higgins]

Thanks, Everyone. After further measurements and considering the various use cases (and reading a great thread on the 100's forum about the ARB drawers) and, most important, testing the WAF I am going to go ahead and do this. If, that is, Slee can get me what I need and get it installed in time for an upcoming trip.

I plan to go with a single drawer with the ARB1176 (w/ roller top) for the driver's side. That will allow me to sleep using the wider side of the 2nd row and also, if I throw some cargo on top, will put that higher, rear-window-blocking cargo on the left which is where I prefer. No plans for a frig as our camping use will be minimal, mostly one-nighters. This will allow me to install the right side 3rd row seat if I need it and/or use the right side for a cargo box and other "stuff". Once it is done I'll post pics.

Now I need to determine if this is going to push me closer to upgrading the suspension. For now, after talking with Slee, I am sticking with the stock suspension to let it wear for a couple dozen or more thousands of miles.

 

[Markuson]

Thanks, Everyone. After further measurements and considering the various use cases (and reading a great thread on the 100's forum about the ARB drawers) and, most important, testing the WAF I am going to go ahead and do this. If, that is, Slee can get me what I need and get it installed in time for an upcoming trip.

I plan to go with a single drawer with the ARB1176 (w/ roller top) for the driver's side. That will allow me to sleep using the wider side of the 2nd row and also, if I throw some cargo on top, will put that higher, rear-window-blocking cargo on the left which is where I prefer. No plans for a frig as our camping use will be minimal, mostly one-nighters. This will allow me to install the right side 3rd row seat if I need it and/or use the right side for a cargo box and other "stuff". Once it is done I'll post pics.

Now I need to determine if this is going to push me closer to upgrading the suspension. For now, after talking with Slee, I am sticking with the stock suspension to let it wear for a couple dozen or more thousands of miles.

Awesome! I think you'll be very pleased. Don't forget to order the side fit kit...which will significantly widen your usable/sleepable surface & also adds a nice little enclosed space for additional storage on the side. I run a rather large Inverter in one of my side compartments with room to spare.