Seats in bed
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 162
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From: Cleveland
Seats in bed
Has anyone installed seats in the bed of their truck? I bought a '95 regular cab, long bed truck with cap when I was single, and now that I'm married with kids I like to bolt in some seats with seat belts in the bed.
We take regular trips to West Virginia where 4x4 is a must, and the truck sure beats the mini-van when it comes to offroad.
I'd appreciate recommendations from someone who has done this before (or advice from those of you who think its a bad idea.)
We take regular trips to West Virginia where 4x4 is a must, and the truck sure beats the mini-van when it comes to offroad.
I'd appreciate recommendations from someone who has done this before (or advice from those of you who think its a bad idea.)
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, CA
Seats in bed
I'm sure it'll be easy to do but do you really want your most precious cargo in the least safe seats. I drive a lot to outdoor activity locations and over the years have seen a number of accidents involving trucks with caps. If your truck goes over everything in the bed becomes a potential projectile and will most likely be all over the road. If you're really intent on seats in the back you may want to add some sort of roll bar/cage to ensure the safety of the passengers in the bed.
Also check your local laws. There may be requirements when adding seats.
Good luck
Tim
Also check your local laws. There may be requirements when adding seats.
Good luck
Tim
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Seats in bed
I am doing this on my F-100, but, it is a lot of work, especially the rollcage. You have to design it so they are safe and do not eat exhaust. It is fun though, especially off-road. You have to anchor the seats and belts to the rollbar/cage and NOT to the bed. The bed is 100% unsuitable for a seat attachment point or a rollbar. The rollbar has to be attached to the frame.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 286
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From: Frederick MD & missing AK
Seats in bed
It sounds like a fun project and your friends might think it is cool, but your kids may not. It is your choice but I would never put my kids back there. No matter how hard you try, you will never make it as safe as it should be-- People at Ford make alot of money to design the safest vehicles possible and the govt. monitors it all pretty close. Also, you will likely be asking for a legal problem -- tickets and stuff.
My advice, go buy a 4x4 Explorer or Bronco or something, minivans are overrated!!
My advice, go buy a 4x4 Explorer or Bronco or something, minivans are overrated!!
Last edited by racinghoss; May 9, 2003 at 11:04 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Seats in bed
From owning full sized Broncos and from cutting one apart, I would never assume in a rollover my kids in the back seat would be safe. You are not safe in the front either. You really need a crewcab, but, barring that a nicely and professionally built rollcage will do just fine for spare use. Especially off-road.
Even if you get a fullsize Bronco, I would HIGHLY recommend a rollcage before you pop your kids into the back seat.
How we survived riding in the back of pickups (without seatbelts or seats) and lead paint in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s to go on and develop computers, space travel, and Buck Rogers sci-fi weapons is beyond me. Our parents should have been imprisoned for child abuse ;D
Even if you get a fullsize Bronco, I would HIGHLY recommend a rollcage before you pop your kids into the back seat.
How we survived riding in the back of pickups (without seatbelts or seats) and lead paint in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s to go on and develop computers, space travel, and Buck Rogers sci-fi weapons is beyond me. Our parents should have been imprisoned for child abuse ;D
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Seats in bed
> People at Ford make alot of money to design the
> safest vehicles possible
Engineers at Ford, like other OEMs, are paid to develop the best system WITHIN a budget, not the safest possible. Good safety has been thrown out the window at both Ford and Chevy for less then $0.10 a vehicle in some cases.
When 50% of third row rear passengers die in rear end collisions something tells me that maybe they are not designing the safest vehicles possible.
Supercab Fords with rear flip down seats are about the worse seats to be in for an accident, especially for kids, which are the only ones that can really fit there.
> safest vehicles possible
Engineers at Ford, like other OEMs, are paid to develop the best system WITHIN a budget, not the safest possible. Good safety has been thrown out the window at both Ford and Chevy for less then $0.10 a vehicle in some cases.
When 50% of third row rear passengers die in rear end collisions something tells me that maybe they are not designing the safest vehicles possible.
Supercab Fords with rear flip down seats are about the worse seats to be in for an accident, especially for kids, which are the only ones that can really fit there.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Frederick MD & missing AK
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