2nd row bucket seats

[mbarnstein]

Hi Everyone!

I think I posted this in the wrong place before so I'm going to try it here.

My name is Mike I'm not really new here but I wasn't sure where else to post my question. First, a little about me. I bought my first Explorer a few years ago, in 2011. It was something I had always wanted & was so excited when I was able to get one. It was a 2005 XLS...not the fanciest package but it was exactly what I needed. It only had 36,000 miles on it. I loved it so much! I took such great care of it, bought new floor mats, I bought running boards & put them on myself. She was my baby.

Over the summer in June, my neighbors tree fell on it. The insurance wanted to total it, but I was able to talk them into fixing it instead. Then, a few weeks ago a jerk lighting his cigarette hit me. Insurance again wants to total it & this time I think I have no choice I'm heartbroken.

However I will be going out and getting another one in its place. I don't have a lot of money, so obviously I won't be getting anything brand new. My limit is about $10-12k. I have 3 kids & they are 13, 11 & 10 so they can't all squish on the bench second row anymore. My question is, this time I would like to get something with a third row & a bucket seat second row. They all seem to have the bench second row, I cannot find any with bucket seats (or captains chairs). Are there any Explorers that come like that, or is that not something Ford made. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Thanks~
Mike

 

[Number Twelve]

My 2005 Exploder came with 3 buckets in the second row and a bench style 3rd row.
Bloody crowded in there!
I would much prefer 2, then 2, then 2 for a 6 occupant car.
Trying to stuff in seats for 8 means small children and no fat people! (Except the drivers seat which is 22 inches wide.) If it didn't have a seat belt, I would slide all over that seat!
An Expedition is bigger, but I haven't stuck my nose in one, and they are obviously more expensive in price, gas mileage, and maintenance costs.

I took out all except the 2 front seats and told it that it is now a mini-van.
Wanna buy 3 buckets for the second row?
Naw. Boston is too far from Florida. Way cheaper in a junk yard than trying to ship the seats.

 

[swshawaii]

Not all Explorer years listed. Available seating configurations shown.
http://www.auto-brochures.com/ford.html

For more detailed specs here are just two of MANY internet sources, just search. GL
https://www.cars.com/
https://www.edmunds.com/

 

[Indispensable Explorer]

I have not seen Explorers have Second row bucket seats. If you want buckets you'll probably have to search for an Expedition with them. Even in the Expedition they're relatively hard to find.

 

[philbert57]

Couldn't you simply remove the middle seat to have two "bucket" seats in the middle row?

 

[lincolnshibuya]

i think they are more of a captain chairs rather than bucket seats (bucket seats are termed for sedans/coupes)
the expedition has a 2nd row captain chairs where access to the 3rd row doesn't involve flipping the seats. the navigator has a center console in the 2nd row which requires flipping up the chairs to access the 3rd row.

I too haven't seen one in an explorer or mountaineer, the aviator if the center console is removed might worked (or swap the aviator seats)

 

[Bohknows17]

Not sure about the 3rd gens, but some 4th gens definitely came with captain chairs for the 2nd row, and then the two person bench for the 3rd row. I think this was maybe only an option on the Limited trim though (possibly Eddie Bauer?) There are several with this option in my area with reasonable (less than 120k) miles in your price range. I wouldn't want to spend that much money on another 3rd gen anyways when the 4th is essentially the same truck.

 

[1996EB]

In 04 and later Eddie Bauer and Limited Explorer, Mountaineer, and Aviator the 2nd row buckets and console were optional. I swapped out my 03 Limited 3 seater 2nd row for this option from an 04 Limited that was identical to mine, except for the buckets and console. These are pics of my 2nd and 3rd rows.

 

[Number Twelve]

Please forgive my ignorance about what is a bucket seat and what is a Captain's Chair.
All I know is bench seats and individual seats.

 

[mbarnstein]

Thanks for your help everyone! I could just buy 2nd row bucket seats & install them myself but believe it or not they are pretty hard to find here in Mass. So if I could find an older model with them already installed it would be much easier for me. I'll just keep looking & now that I know a little more I can narrow my search. Thanks everyone! Hope you all have a great New Year!

 

[mbarnstein]

I'm in the same boat as you Number Twelve I thought they were the same thing as well. I've learned to much today lol

 

[mbarnstein]

1996EB was it hard to do? That may by my best option if I can find them.

 

[boominXplorer]

I have young twins and 2 boys age 6 and 12. In our 04 Explorer we took out the 2nd row seat behind the driver to give better access to the 3rd row. Now we don't have to fold the seat forward and whatnot to get the big kids in the 3rd row and there is now room for the diaper bag and other groceries on the floor where the seat was. The twins of course sit in the 2 remaining seats in the middle row. It's a little tight to get 2 infant bases in there but does fit good and the middle seat has the special attachments also.

 

[mbarnstein]

I have young twins and 2 boys age 6 and 12. In our 04 Explorer we took out the 2nd row seat behind the driver to give better access to the 3rd row. Now we don't have to fold the seat forward and whatnot to get the big kids in the 3rd row and there is now room for the diaper bag and other groceries on the floor where the seat was. The twins of course sit in the 2 remaining seats in the middle row. It's a little tight to get 2 infant bases in there but does fit good and the middle seat has the special attachments also.

Yes that is exactly what I'm looking to do.