Seats compatibility

[izacki]

Hi! I just bought a 2004 Explorer Ltd in really good shape a week ago. I bought it for the size, because I have 4 kids, and for the V8 engine to pull our camper trailer up the hill! That was a good deal. But now, I need to reconfigure the seating. This truck is a 6 seater and I need to make it a 7 seater with a useable trunk.

First, I need to find a way to have 3 seats on the 2nd row and get rid of the useless center console. I've been able to test a middle seat from a Ford Expedition, but it was way too large to fit between the two captain seats. I don't know if I need to search for a compatible middle seat to get a 40-20-40 configuration, or for a complete 2nd row to get a 60-40 setup.

Secondly, I hadn't noticed that the 3rd row was made up of a single long seat instead of a 50/50 in this old model. That's a real problem because the trunk is almost useless when the 3rd row is up. With a 50/50 configuration, I would be able to fold only one seat, get a way larger trunk space and still have 6 seats. I think the 4th gen (06-10) has a 50/50 3rd row configuration, but I don't know if it's compatible with my 3rd gen model.

After a lot of googling and measurements, I haven't been able to get real answers. I saw that the Lincoln Aviator had better seat configurations, but getting seats from this old discontinued model is almost impossible here. I just need to know what can be installed in my 3rd gen Explorer. Can Ranger rear seats from the same gen fit in the 2nd row?

I don't mind doing minor seat rail adjustments or some rewiring, but bolt-on solutions would be great!

 

[mountaineer2004]

With 4 children, you're going to need to keep the rear seat as Ford configured it. I was in the same situation as you at one time.

On vacation once, I looked it the rear view mirror and saw my son alone in the 3rd row seat, almost engulfed by suit cases and other vacation stuff.

I took instant pity on him, and miraculously, saw a Sears (yes, it was a while ago), exited and bought a roof type carrier, installed it in the parking lot, and went on our merry way. A possible solution.

 

[izacki]

With 4 children, you're going to need to keep the rear seat as Ford configured it. I was in the same situation as you at one time.

On vacation once, I looked it the rear view mirror and saw my son alone in the 3rd row seat, almost engulfed by suit cases and other vacation stuff.

I took instant pity on him, and miraculously, saw a Sears (yes, it was a while ago), exited and bought a roof type carrier, installed it in the parking lot, and went on our merry way. A possible solution.

View attachment 456039

Yes, I already have this exact same roof box! It's gonna be the temporary solution until I get a more practical seats configuration. Running with this on the roof for many hours isn't the best way to get great mpg stats!

 

[mountaineer2004]

Yes, I already have this exact same roof box! It's gonna be the temporary solution until I get a more practical seats configuration. Running with this on the roof for many hours isn't the best way to get great mpg stats!

true, but "it's good enough" as a permanent solution, mpg be damned