Fourth Row ? (11 pax X)
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Freshman User
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Fourth Row ? (11 pax X)
Just bought a 2000 PSD Excursion Limited with 75,000 easy miles on it to replace our F-150 and Windstar (both were outgrown). I have four kids and pretty much fill the excursion by ourselves and would like extra room for cousins/friends ect.
I want to add a fouth row for kids...the aftermarket fourth rows I've found seem pricey ($850 - $1200 w/leather)and I don't like their mounting system (bolted or brackets that stick up).
Now to the question: Has anyone used the third row floor brackets out of a salvage vehicle to mount a fourth row? There is room and it looks feasible and actualy seems fairly simple. Drop the tank, take up the carpet, cut the holes, weld in the brackets, trim with salvage trim...ta-da an 11 pax excursion! I've already picked up an extra third row seat (the expedition and excursion share the same third row seats and brackets).
I would appreciate any input/experience you might have.
Thanks in advance!
I want to add a fouth row for kids...the aftermarket fourth rows I've found seem pricey ($850 - $1200 w/leather)and I don't like their mounting system (bolted or brackets that stick up).
Now to the question: Has anyone used the third row floor brackets out of a salvage vehicle to mount a fourth row? There is room and it looks feasible and actualy seems fairly simple. Drop the tank, take up the carpet, cut the holes, weld in the brackets, trim with salvage trim...ta-da an 11 pax excursion! I've already picked up an extra third row seat (the expedition and excursion share the same third row seats and brackets).
I would appreciate any input/experience you might have.
Thanks in advance!
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Never seen anyone add another 3rd seat to make a fourth. Most just go for the www.littleseats.com option. No cutting, welding or dropping that enourmous tank!
Let us know if you follow through and take pics of the process! There are 3rd row seats on e-bay right now for around $395 or so. So you might just save a few hundred bucks.
Welcome to FTE!
Let us know if you follow through and take pics of the process! There are 3rd row seats on e-bay right now for around $395 or so. So you might just save a few hundred bucks.
Welcome to FTE!
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Fourth Row ? (11 Pax X)
Originally Posted by Monsta
Never seen anyone add another 3rd seat to make a fourth. Most just go for the www.littleseats.com option. No cutting, welding or dropping that enourmous tank!
Let us know if you follow through and take pics of the process! There are 3rd row seats on e-bay right now for around $395 or so. So you might just save a few hundred bucks.
Welcome to FTE!
Let us know if you follow through and take pics of the process! There are 3rd row seats on e-bay right now for around $395 or so. So you might just save a few hundred bucks.
Welcome to FTE!
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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If it's a diesel i'd do the fuel system mod while the tank is down. Do let us know how it turns out, as I have 6 kids so my X is at capacity.
How will the additional passengers enter/exit? Is there a way to move the 3rd row back and add a new 3rd row that allows for easy passage?
How will the additional passengers enter/exit? Is there a way to move the 3rd row back and add a new 3rd row that allows for easy passage?
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Originally Posted by Fords4Me
If it's a diesel i'd do the fuel system mod while the tank is down. Do let us know how it turns out, as I have 6 kids so my X is at capacity.
How will the additional passengers enter/exit? Is there a way to move the 3rd row back and add a new 3rd row that allows for easy passage?
How will the additional passengers enter/exit? Is there a way to move the 3rd row back and add a new 3rd row that allows for easy passage?
As for access: the thrid row folds pretty flat. One lever, and boom, way easier than getting out of the back of most two door cars!
Also note: This would not be convienient for everyday use by other than children/small adults. Head and foot room are tight! You can try it by pulling out your third row and moving it to the back (just shy of the window). Toe room ends just short of the floor bracket and you'll get a couple inches more head room when the seat is down in the brackets (may be able to shorten the seat for more head room). As it was I (5' 11") could sit there OK for arround town runs but would want to roadtrip it! I had to slouch and knees were in the air, but I could manage.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Just getting space between them helps limit fighting.
I'll pull the seat loose and check it out.
There's 2 mods for the tank. One get rid of the expansion area needed for gassers, the other guts the pick-up check valve assembly and moves the return away from the pick-up. Helps correct the air in fuel issue these trucks have and speeds fueling.
I'll pull the seat loose and check it out.
There's 2 mods for the tank. One get rid of the expansion area needed for gassers, the other guts the pick-up check valve assembly and moves the return away from the pick-up. Helps correct the air in fuel issue these trucks have and speeds fueling.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Saratoga, NY
Exactly the kind of inspiration I was looking for. I also picked up another 3rd seat. If anyone starts this before I do, or if I start it sooner, let's post our experiences. It'll make it easier on the next guy. I won't use it that much, but when I do need the extra capacity, it'll be invaluable.
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Originally Posted by fomoco_1
It looks to me that its about time to move up to an E-350 4x4 15 passenger van. lol
OR: I've seen the strech that adds a set of doors and a second row seat (what does that do for GVW and tow cap?)
Another option: that lifted, 4X4 school bus with Baja lights from the Subaru comercial! LOL!
As for the seatbelts...you will need to bolt a male lap belt to the outside seats.
Another advantage of this mod will be that they face forward! a) you can make eye contact in the mirror or by turning around if necessary (trust me on this one) b) They can watch the TV screen (another couple hundred $ savings on another monitor in the back, cause it would be worthless if you can't convince anyone to sit there).
IMHO
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
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From: Florida
THis is going to sound like an alarmist post but it isn't meant to be that way...just offering some other thoughts...
most of the vehicles today that have a traditional third row place the passengers dangerously close to the rear of the vehicle in a rear end collision. The Ex on the other hand has plenty of crumple zone behind the third row. placing a forth row will have to put the seats right up against the rear of the truck and in the event of a rear end crash, there isn't much room...but then again how many vehicles on the road are large enough to crush the back of an Ex? But it only takes one delivery truck...
In addition the access to the rear as mentioned earlier could be another real safety factor to consider. Again in a rear collision, if safety workers (i.e. firemen) need to get to the rear passengers there is no easy way to do so since all benches "fill" the Ex from side to side. Most 15 passenger vans leave an access way to get to the rear most seats without having to climb.
just some food for thought.
most of the vehicles today that have a traditional third row place the passengers dangerously close to the rear of the vehicle in a rear end collision. The Ex on the other hand has plenty of crumple zone behind the third row. placing a forth row will have to put the seats right up against the rear of the truck and in the event of a rear end crash, there isn't much room...but then again how many vehicles on the road are large enough to crush the back of an Ex? But it only takes one delivery truck...
In addition the access to the rear as mentioned earlier could be another real safety factor to consider. Again in a rear collision, if safety workers (i.e. firemen) need to get to the rear passengers there is no easy way to do so since all benches "fill" the Ex from side to side. Most 15 passenger vans leave an access way to get to the rear most seats without having to climb.
just some food for thought.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Saratoga, NY
Safety is always foremost. Nothing "alarmist" about it. I thought long and hard before I decided to go forward with the project. It's very similar to the 3rd row seat in my Tahoe. The rear-most seat is pretty close to the barn doors and with the car seats strapped into the 2nd row seat, there's no way to move the seat to get to the back one. In the X I have captains chairs for the 2nd row and a bench for the third row, but the third row seat is now a "split" bench with 1 part folding forward. It will actually be easier to get to the 4th row seat in the X then the 3rd row seat in the Tahoe. As I get into it, I may decide not to install the 4th row seat. Who knows. It all depends on how I feel about the install once I see the actual physical presence of the whole thing. Thanks for the input though.