Rear seat
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Rear seat
2002 e-150 Traveler: I would like to swap out my third row bench seat for one that folds flat. I believe the Chateau trim vans came with a rear seat that folded flat. Is this an easy - no fab work required - swap? Is there an aftermarket seat I could use?
Thanks
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
Hi erickz,
I saw an aftermarket bench seat in the junk yard some months back. Whoever installed in drilled holes on the floor and used bolts and washers to fasten it in place. It folded flat into a bed. I don't know if it would retrofit easily with the existing mounts but it should be possible. The factory bench/bed option is very sturdy and weighs a ton (it seems like).
jim
I saw an aftermarket bench seat in the junk yard some months back. Whoever installed in drilled holes on the floor and used bolts and washers to fasten it in place. It folded flat into a bed. I don't know if it would retrofit easily with the existing mounts but it should be possible. The factory bench/bed option is very sturdy and weighs a ton (it seems like).
jim
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
IIRC there are two kinds of folding seats - two segment seats that fold flat and three segment seats in which a panel folded over the seat back extends the bed area.
Two segment - Princess Sofa Bed
Three segment - Nationwide Auto Group - Photos for 1996 Ford E-Series Van E-150 Chateau
Is your Traveler a Ford option package or aftermarket conversion?
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
Two segment - Princess Sofa Bed
Three segment - Nationwide Auto Group - Photos for 1996 Ford E-Series Van E-150 Chateau
Is your Traveler a Ford option package or aftermarket conversion?
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thank you for the pictures! That is exactly what I am looking for. The Shop4seats site appears to only have the two section seat I believe. I'll call after the weekend. Any experience with their products?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
I believe Ford stopped making the folding seats in any of their stock vans due to the possibility of injuries to passengers laying down/sleeping during in an accident.
I've had 4 conversion vans over the years and my current E150 has a 2-section folding seat. I am guessing that the floor mounts have nothing to do with the factory mounts for a Club Wagon since conversions are built from empty boxes. And most conversion vans space the center row and rear row seats much further back than the Club Wagons. You probably need to use a location not much different from stock if you want to use the existing seat belts and mounts.
In general, conversion seats are never as high quality or long lasting as OEM Ford seats but are adequate for occasional use (my 3rd seat is very rarely used and is usually not even inside the van).
Just make sure you reinforce any floor areas you use for mounting the seat. And if you are drilling holes, make sure you don't drill into fuel or brake lines or into the fuel tank
Good luck,
George
I've had 4 conversion vans over the years and my current E150 has a 2-section folding seat. I am guessing that the floor mounts have nothing to do with the factory mounts for a Club Wagon since conversions are built from empty boxes. And most conversion vans space the center row and rear row seats much further back than the Club Wagons. You probably need to use a location not much different from stock if you want to use the existing seat belts and mounts.
In general, conversion seats are never as high quality or long lasting as OEM Ford seats but are adequate for occasional use (my 3rd seat is very rarely used and is usually not even inside the van).
Just make sure you reinforce any floor areas you use for mounting the seat. And if you are drilling holes, make sure you don't drill into fuel or brake lines or into the fuel tank
Good luck,
George
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
Ah, I'm not familiar with that package. What's it got over the Chateau package?
At most you'll have to swap brackets but the holes should be the same between fixed and folding bench.
Here's some conversion vans that could be parted:
1993 Ford E15 VAN parts vehicle
93 ford 5.0/aod trans
Practice your horse trading skills with these sellers:
1998 Ford Econoline E-150 Club Wagon
1994 Ford e150
Must See!! 96 Ford Clubwagon Van
Fixed vs folding bench won't change the final sale price of the first two since they'll end up hauling carpet rolls
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
At most you'll have to swap brackets but the holes should be the same between fixed and folding bench.
Here's some conversion vans that could be parted:
1993 Ford E15 VAN parts vehicle
93 ford 5.0/aod trans
Practice your horse trading skills with these sellers:
1998 Ford Econoline E-150 Club Wagon
1994 Ford e150
Must See!! 96 Ford Clubwagon Van
Fixed vs folding bench won't change the final sale price of the first two since they'll end up hauling carpet rolls
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Snowymountainman
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
May 15, 2020 10:44 AM
666F-100
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Jul 9, 2018 05:43 PM