Inboard armrests in the 2nd-row bucket seats

[13Sport]

Ford sells bucket seats.

Captain chairs have arms

Bucket seats do not.

Did your GTO with four on the floor have armrests?

No! Why? Because they were bucket seats..he he

I hope you're kidding

A bucket seat is defined as a low separate seat for one person (as in an automobile or an airplane)

A captains chair is defined as an armchair with a saddle seat and a low curved back with vertical spindles

Here is a picture of a captains chair:

And just for further proof, Chevy sells bucket seats with armrests (advertised as "BUCKET SEATS" in the options)

 

[broken strut]

No. That is incorrect. A captains chair has arms. Bucket seats also have arm options. However that turns them into Captain chairs. IMHO.

http://www.superlambauto.com/seat-types.aspx

http://www.ehow.com/info_12230929_difference-between-bucket-seats-captains-chair-seats.html

 

[VinceL]

Nope, you are all wrong, and I am so superior in my knowledge, I need not elaborate as to why

 

[VinceL]

Seriously though, it has always been my belief that a bucket seat was armless, and the captains chair had arms. The arms! The arms! It is all about the arms!!

 

[13Sport]

Seriously though, it has always been my belief that a bucket seat was armless, and the captains chair had arms. The arms! The arms! It is all about the arms!!

I've only known captains chairs as those little wood chairs in my mom's house. When I first heard the term here it confused the crap out of me. It's the only reason I looked up the dictionary definitions, which also confirmed my memory of what they are.

That being said I went and looked up buckets on wiki right now:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucket_seat

"Bucket seats are also used in passenger vans and minivans, although they are not generally referred to as such; for instance Ford refers to these types of seats as "Captain's Chairs." Unlike those in cars, bucket seats in vans can be configured in different ways or even removed for more cargo storage"

It does reference Ford calling them "Captain's Chairs" .. but it doesn't say anything about it being because of arm rests. I am just interested where that distinction (captain = rests, bucket = none) came from?

 

[13Sport]

http://www.ehow.com/info_12230929_difference-between-bucket-seats-captains-chair-seats.html

I always wonder who comes up with vehicle terminology ... The explanation in this article makes good sense. I just still think of little wooden chairs every time I hear the term I don't want captain's chairs in my 50k SUV

 

[VinceL]

I always associated arms and captains chairs because of boats. Every time I have seen a captains chair on a boat (often at the helm), it had arms. No arms, they were referred to simply as seats. Also, the chair at the head of the table often has arms, and the Captain usually sits at the head of the table. Those things defined my idea of what a captains chair is. Also, when I was younger, custom vans were big and captains chairs were all the rage, and they all had arms. Those are my experiences

 

[broken strut]

Yes. Captains have arms and a bucket doesn't. Get it!

 

[TheTigs]

Strange, my 2012 sticker shows 2ND Row Dual Captain Chairs.............still no arm rests.

 

[phareous]

Strange, my 2012 sticker shows 2ND Row Dual Captain Chairs.............still no arm rests.

My 2013 sticker says 2nd Row Dual Bucket Seats. And obviously bucket seats sound much more sporty than captain's chairs. And there can only be one captain in this vehicle, and that is me.

 

[VinceL]

I can only laugh how involved this thread has become, it's hysterical!!

You go phareous! You tell 'em

 

[GWA1]

Ford sells bucket seats.

Captain chairs have arms

Bucket seats do not.

Did your GTO with four on the floor have armrests?

No! Why? Because they were bucket seats..he he

WOW! I started a monster.:smoke:

 

[13Sport]

It's been kinda interesting actually. I've enjoyed reading and partaking

 

[FordService]

It was confirmed by Cory in another thread, the buckets in the Sport have no arm rest. This is why I chose the bench with my sport order, at least it has the fold down arm rest/cup holder in the middle of it.

Thanks for the shout-out on this hilarious thread, 13Sport.

Here’s some clarification from my tech adviser, guys: Captains chairs are when a vehicle could have a bench seat or two separate seats on each side of a center console. Bucket seats are on a vehicle that only has two separate seats in the front.

I posted this on another thread; just in case, I’ll post here too:

With the 2013MY Explorer Sport and the 2nd-Row Bucket Seats, the 2nd-Row Center Console is not available. Many Explorer buyers prefer this to improve access to the 3rd row. The Bucket Seats do not include inboard armrests. This is the same seating option available on the Limited and (starting in 13MY) the XLT; although, those do offer the 2nd-Row Center Console option. We are investigating adding an optional 2nd-Row Center Console with the Sport for future model years.

Cory

 

[jmande]

Why doesn't Ford offer inboard armrests on the bucket seats in the second row? I think armrests would make the bucket seats more comfortable, does anyone else think that armrest would be beneficial? How do we get Ford to make this an option?

I completely agree! Just bought a pre-owned 2018 Explorer and was searching for info as to why my vehicle doesn't have them! Even more surprised that when checking with my local Ford dealer they don't offer them at all! I'd like a knowledgeable individual to answer your last question.

 

[peterk9]

I completely agree! Just bought a pre-owned 2018 Explorer and was searching for info as to why my vehicle doesn't have them! Even more surprised that when checking with my local Ford dealer they don't offer them at all! I'd like a knowledgeable individual to answer your last question.

Welcome to the Forum.
I don't know for sure why they don't offer them but my Aviator has them and they are called Captain's Chairs, not buckets. None of the 5th gen Explorers have bucket seats with inboard armrests. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the 2nd row bench is a 60/40 split with the 40 section actually being a bucket seat. This way they only have to make one seat that can be used either as a standalone bucket or part of a bench seat.
BTW, the member you quoted was last seen here on May 12, 2013.

Peter

 

[jmande]

Thanks for that Peter. Makes some sense. I have the original window sticker for my vehicle and they are called '2nd row bucket seats' and not captains chairs. What I don't understand is that it looks clearly like they could be added or the seats accommodated for them on the inside slots or the rail of where the seat folds down....why Ford doesn't seem interested in offering them to people who would like to add them as an after market purchase is surprising to me.

 

[ExPlat]

Back when I purchased my ExPlat it came with the 2nd row bucket seats. I decided to add the optional 2nd row 'console' from Ford Parts, there were many variations available back in 2016, even a 'refrigerated' 2nd row console! The Ford Flex and Explorer shared this interior part.
I found the one that matched the Platinum interior and did the fairly easy install, took an hour or so. The new console solved the center armrest issue and added some welcome storage for the headrest DVD system earphones/remotes and various junk.

Amazingly those 2nd row consoles can still be found, like at this black one for a Explorer XLT:

16 thru 19 Explorer OEM Ford Parts 2nd Row Seat Console for XLT Limited in Black | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 16 thru 19 Explorer OEM Ford Parts 2nd Row Seat Console for XLT Limited in Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com