need help ID.ing different explorer seats

[sevens4me]

I'm hoping someone can help me identify different seats that come in different years/models of Explorers. My mom has an '01 2 door sport 5-speed and the bottom of the front seats are too long(horizontally) and because she is short, it makes her legs fall asleep. She used to have a '98 2 door sport 5-speed and the seats were fine.
Does anyone know if there are different seat dimensions between 2 and 4 door models of '01 models or between different years? Also what seats will directly bolt in with no modification required? Any help is appreciated!

 

[eXcali]

Were the previous seats electric and the current non? I don't think there were any seat changes between those years, not 100% sure though.

 

[sevens4me]

Were the previous seats electric and the current non? I don't think there were any seat changes between those years, not 100% sure though.

Both vehicles have/had non-electric seats. Is there any difference (seats)between the 2-door and 4-door models? I know there isn't as much room inside the 2-door compared to the 4-door...

 

[eXcali]

The only difference that I know of is the sport seats tip forward a little more for access to the rear seat.

 

[sevens4me]

Does anyone know where I can get this info. from?

Anyone?

 

[mic98xlt]

I have the same seats in my 98 explorer that were from a wrecked 2001 explorer sport. They (2001's) are cut different (deeper bucket area) and on the bottom cushion they have a firmer cushion that cuts across horizontally in the front that would be just across the bottom hamstring area of someone seated. They are firmer and higher in this area than those which came on the previous 92-00 explorers. The seats themselves are the same bolt pattern plus length and on the sport model they can also slide forward for easier rear access. The best bet I believe is to go obtain a 95-00 sport type seat, and somehow match the color and type of material. I believe the seat colors changed in 99 so matching may require some more research.
Good luck.

 

[sevens4me]

I have the same seats in my 98 explorer that were from a wrecked 2001 explorer sport. They (2001's) are cut different (deeper bucket area) and on the bottom cushion they have a firmer cushion that cuts across horizontally in the front that would be just across the bottom hamstring area of someone seated. They are firmer and higher in this area than those which came on the previous 92-00 explorers. The seats themselves are the same bolt pattern plus length and on the sport model they can also slide forward for easier rear access. The best bet I believe is to go obtain a 95-00 sport type seat, and somehow match the color and type of material. I believe the seat colors changed in 99 so matching may require some more research.
Good luck.

Thanks for the reply, the first informative one yet...I've been looking around junk yards and what not, you are right about the colors and material...It seems impossible to match with the rear seats in the '01. That is good to know that if I do find ones from those years, they will bolt right in. Thanks again.

 

[Joe Dirt]

You can also remove the seat from the track frame, they will bolt to the other frames. It's 4 bolts per seat to do that, then you can' put them on your Sport frames.

The only material that will match... isn't material- the tan and gray leather will swap color wise, but the stitching will not match the back seat. None of the 4 door and 2 door Gen 2 fabrics match the sport. You'd be better off getting all 4 seats and swapping them all in.

What color do you need?

 

[sevens4me]

Her current seats are a (light?)grey, stiff "fabric" and the explorer is white.
I thought about a similar gen Ranger, but I suppose those seats won't tilt enough to allow rear passengers in and out? Also I think the seat backs tilt forward, then automatically releases something that allows them to slide forward if i remember correctly...Would I still have this function with any seats not from another sport? Don't know about swapping all seats, I was hoping just to be able to find front seats to get her for Christmas. The interior is mint as is the seats, and what I've seen in the junkyards have not been...Plus I don't have a whole lot to spend! Thanks for the help.

 

[Joe Dirt]

The slide function should be part of the seat track. When you remove the seat from the frame (the black bolt(s) holding the seat to the silver frame)

this is what you have: (don't mind the pulled parts, I was restuffing my seats... )

So the slide, etc, is part of the frame. I do not know, however, if the trigger that tells the slide that the seat is forward is a special thing... I would think that any Sport seats would work, but I'm not sure on the 4-door seats. I do know that my 4-door seats flip forward as far as my '01 and '02 Sport seats did (to the steering wheel) so that isn't an issue, at least on mine ('95) not sure if Ford somehow cheapened up the seats by eliminating a mechanism on later trucks.

If I had gray Sport seats, I'd trade you I thought my Sport seats were way more comfy, but I can understand the issue that your Mom is having...

I don't think the Ranger seats will work, as the center armrest is part of the seat, unless you can find one with buckets...

 

[sevens4me]

Well, thanks again for the good info. I guess I'm giving up on the whole idea, it's probably out of my price range to make something work, anyway. I was just hoping there would be a simple solution, but I don't think it will be.
Thanks again!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Simple = yes, any gen II sport seats will work, but the colors and patterns will be off...