what year did they start making the explorers where you can fold the second row seat even with the floor? i'm thinking of buying one, and i'd love that feature.

thanks in advance

 

i know they're like that in the newest model. i don't think it started there though. anyone know?

 

Was it 2002? That is when the fold down 3rd seat became available. I have the 02 and I can fold all the seats in the back down, kind of like a stationwagon.

 

I'm sure there is room to interpret the phrase "flat with the floor", but the back row seats (no third row option in 1st gens) fold down so as to give a "flat" surface up to the front seats. The back seat is split 1/3:2/3 so you can fold down part of the seat if that's more suitable to a situation.

For that matter, the back seats in my BII (precursor to Explorers) fold down as well. I'm reasonably sure the back seats have always folded down in Explorers. Things I've seen suggest that the back seats in 2nd gen are almost exactly the same as the back seats in the 1st gen. Can't speak for the 3rd gen Explorers.

Not sure what your requirements for "folding flat" are, but, unless you've got some real stringent requirements, I expect any Explorer will do in this respect.

 

My 96 Explorer Limited had a 60/40 split for the second row (the 60 is on the passenger side). These seats folded forward (including the seat bottom) and completely flat.

When I bought my 2003 Eddie Bauer there were many configurations offered but I needed the same as I had before because my Golden Retriever sits on the 60 of the 60/40 part.

The offerings on the 2002 and up I found are as follows;

With 2nd row only a 60/40 flat folding arrangement is available the same as my 96. This is the one I have. Cargo area completely flat with 2 storage bins below.

If you get the 3rd row option you have the following 2 choices for the 2nd row;

40/20/40 (3 passengers)
This setup had only the seat back fold forward and then the rest of it flips up allowing access to the 3rd row seats. My problem with this was that when the seat back was folded ahead it was on quite a slant. Also there was about a foot gap to the back of the front seat. Bad for the dog.

40/console/40 (2 passengers)
Same as above except the centre section is replaced by a console.

Also with the 3rd row seat when folded it also does not fold completely flat. If you fold all seats down to make room for hauling something the entire area is on an incline towards the rear of the front seats.

Depending on what your requirement is you many prefer either the 6 or 7 passenger layout. I found the 5 passenger layout worked best for me because my need was for mostly 2 people, big dog and lots of luggage on weekends. The 5 passenger model with the very flat cargo area was perfect. My problem was in the Limited and Eddie Bauer models is was the hardest one to find on a dealers lot. Many of these were shipped with the 6 or 7 passenger layouts. If your more into passenger space with minimal luggage/cargo the others may be better.

Hope this info helps you make your choice.

 

i meant perfectly flat with the floor so that only the front seats were still standing erect. i know the original explorers fold in half, but i was talking about being essentially flat with the floor.

Ray_K, when you were talking about the second row seating, 60/40 setup on '02s and up, you were saying the seats fold as flat as the floor? and that's the way it was on the '96 also? if so, that'd be great because i'll probably be buying between a '98 and '00 if i get one. i don't usually carry a lot of people, but sometimes i would carry more than two, and there would also be times when i'd like all that back space behind the front two seats to be virtually empty so i can put stuff back there. i could just remove the back seats when this is the case, but i'd rather not.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

 

On both my 96 and 03 the 2nd row 60/40 fold flat with the cargo area. I wouldn't want to try and remove the 2nd row though as the whole seat bottom and seat back fold forward together. Just don't get one with the 3rd row seating if you want a really flat area.

 

that's great news ray_k! is that standard on all the 2nd row explorer models?

 

It was that way on all the ones I looked at.

 

thanks for all your help.

 

Hey i have a 2000 Explorer with the 60/40 folding rear seats and they do fold down flat.

 

so for the 2nd row to fold seamlessly flat, I understand I need the 60/40. but does it matter if it's leather or cloth?! thanks

QUOTE=Ray_K;3130254]My 96 Explorer Limited had a 60/40 split for the second row (the 60 is on the passenger side). These seats folded forward (including the seat bottom) and completely flat.

When I bought my 2003 Eddie Bauer there were many configurations offered but I needed the same as I had before because my Golden Retriever sits on the 60 of the 60/40 part.

The offerings on the 2002 and up I found are as follows;

With 2nd row only a 60/40 flat folding arrangement is available the same as my 96. This is the one I have. Cargo area completely flat with 2 storage bins below.

If you get the 3rd row option you have the following 2 choices for the 2nd row;

40/20/40 (3 passengers)
This setup had only the seat back fold forward and then the rest of it flips up allowing access to the 3rd row seats. My problem with this was that when the seat back was folded ahead it was on quite a slant. Also there was about a foot gap to the back of the front seat. Bad for the dog.

40/console/40 (2 passengers)
Same as above except the centre section is replaced by a console.

Also with the 3rd row seat when folded it also does not fold completely flat. If you fold all seats down to make room for hauling something the entire area is on an incline towards the rear of the front seats.

Depending on what your requirement is you many prefer either the 6 or 7 passenger layout. I found the 5 passenger layout worked best for me because my need was for mostly 2 people, big dog and lots of luggage on weekends. The 5 passenger model with the very flat cargo area was perfect. My problem was in the Limited and Eddie Bauer models is was the hardest one to find on a dealers lot. Many of these were shipped with the 6 or 7 passenger layouts. If your more into passenger space with minimal luggage/cargo the others may be better.

Hope this info helps you make your choice.[/QUOTE]

 

Mine was a Limited with leather so I'm not sure what another trim level might have had if it came equipped with cloth seats.