'98 Explorer Seat Cross Reference

[Jimmy Hoffa]

I would like to change out the stock seats in my '98 Explorer for others that have a functional head rest to prevent whiplash. Anyone know the bolt pattern of the stock seat rails and what other vehicles utilize the same bolt pattern? Maybe Mustang, Escort or any other manufacture for that matter? I'm just looking for a seat with a functional head rest.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

The seat rails are going to be different from one model to the next, but the distance between the holes used to attach the seat to the rails/tracks is the same on a lot of models. I was curious about this a while back and measured the seats I had around. '89 Bronco II and 1st and 2nd Gen Explorers, Aerostar, and even seats from a mid-80's LTD (the small one that's based on the Mustang platform) would all bolt to the rails/tracks of any of the others. That doesn't help you much because the BII/Explorer and Aerostar seats don't have headrests. The '01-05 Sport Tracs and 2 door '01-03 Explorer Sports did have seats with headrests as an option, and are direct bolt-ins for your Explorer - rails and all.

 

[Jimmy Hoffa]

Thanks 429. That is the info I was looking for.

 

[LoquetusofBorg]

Have you ever tried just to swap out the backs of the seats? I would like to take the backs off, (which are removable), and switch them with a headrest type seat from a sport trac, you think that might work? I guess I could go to a pic-pull and ask if I could try, can't hurt. Was hoping maybe you might have tried that.
Robert

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I've never tried swapping parts from one style seat to another.

 

[LoquetusofBorg]

could you go out and try?

Hehe, just kidding. I will go to a pic & pull and swap them there, that is, if a 95-01 explorer are there and a sport trac.

 

[Brian Mountaineer]

Ok, the 03 seats and tracks should be a bolt in on a 97/98 ... what about the dash, console, etc? Anybody know ? I found an 03 I'd really like to get the interior out of for my 97 Mountaineer.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Is the '03 a 2 dr or 4 dr? Only seats and other parts from an '03 2 dr Sport or a Sport Trac - which are based on the earlier Explorer platform - are direct bolt-ins in a 97/98. The wiring for the dash from an '03 Sport or Sport Trac will be different from the 97/98 because they're digital, not analog, and maybe for other reasons. The '02 and later 4 door Explorers and Mountaineers are a completely different platform, and practically nothing directly swaps between them and the older models. You might be able to make things work, but it's not likely to be without some modifications.

 

[Brian Mountaineer]

Is the '03 a 2 dr or 4 dr? Only seats and other parts from an '03 2 dr Sport or a Sport Trac - which are based on the earlier Explorer platform - are direct bolt-ins in a 97/98. The wiring for the dash from an '03 Sport or Sport Trac will be different from the 97/98 because they're digital, not analog, and maybe for other reasons. The '02 and later 4 door Explorers and Mountaineers are a completely different platform, and practically nothing directly swaps between them and the older models. You might be able to make things work, but it's not likely to be without some modifications.

THANK YOU! Exactly what I needed to know!