2nd row bucket seat question

[Mary Kernander]

I have a 2017 XLT. I am finding the third row to be useless with carseats in the second row. I saw the 2018 Explorers have a bucket seat option for the second row. Does anyone have these and how easy is it to get into the third row between the two seats?

Thanks

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Mary.
I have them in my 2017 and although I've never tried going between the buckets to the back, I don't see much of a problem doing so. It may be a bit tight depending upon who is going through but the buckets don't have armrests.
Here is the only picture I have that shows the separation between the 2 buckets.

Peter

 

[Mary Kernander]

Thank you. I did not realize they had come in the 2017 as well. Thank you for the photo.

 

[peterk9]

Thank you. I did not realize they had come in the 2017 as well. Thank you for the photo.

They have been available since 2011 on certain trim levels.

 

[Mary Kernander]

Dang... I guess I am out of touch. I had a 2015 that we traded in for the 2017. Just recently heard we could get the buckets. Just not sure how 4 carseats at varying positions will work. But we need the towing capabilities as well.

 

[peterk9]

Dang... I guess I am out of touch. I had a 2015 that we traded in for the 2017. Just recently heard we could get the buckets. Just not sure how 4 carseats at varying positions will work. But we need the towing capabilities as well.

If you are going to tow, make sure that you order the vehicle with the factory installed tow package. That will allow up to 5000 lb towing. Best thing to do when considering a new vehicle is to go to the ford.com website and use the "Price & Build" feature. You can chose the trim level you want and then see the various packages and options that are available. Even if you are buying off the lot, that website will provide the info you may need.

Peter

 

[anthoR]

Mary, The swap is very easy and there is plenty room to get to the 3rd row. My wife did this upgrade and we are actually selling our bucket seats due to the fact that we traded the car in.

 

[Mary Kernander]

Mary, The swap is very easy and there is plenty room to get to the 3rd row. My wife did this upgrade and we are actually selling our bucket seats due to the fact that we traded the car in.

Are you saying we could just swap seats in the 2017 explorer we have? I didn't think of just going that route rather than buying new one.

 

[anthoR]

Yes. It’s 4 bolts per seat. It’s a easy swap. The hard part was finding the seats! My wife spent about 6 months trying to track down a set.

 

[Mary Kernander]

Thanks. That definitely is they way I need to go. Are your wife's seats grey by any chance?

 

[anthoR]

Nope. They are the Black Xlt leather.

 

[Mary Kernander]

Worth a shot! Thanks.

 

[anthoR]

No worries! Happy hunting!

 

[bvend]

I have a 2017 XLT. I am finding the third row to be useless with carseats in the second row. I saw the 2018 Explorers have a bucket seat option for the second row. Does anyone have these and how easy is it to get into the third row between the two seats?

Thanks

I've had both. 2016 (RIP) with bench seat and now my new 2018 has bucket seats, Definitely easier to go between seats to third row but you lose 7 person capacity

 

[peterk9]

I've had both. 2016 (RIP) with bench seat and now my new 2018 has bucket seats, Definitely easier to go between seats to third row but you lose 7 person capacity

Congrats on the new Explorer. Looks like a profile update is required.

Peter