Swapping Rear Bench for Buckets in 97 Exploder

[typhoon43]

Now that my stereo is done it's time to start workin gon the interior. I currently have a Balck Exterior/Grey Leather interior. I'd like to do bucket seats in the back. I know Expo 5.0 did his, but I can't seem to get any details on it. Has anyone made this sawp yet? what year seats are compatible with my 97 Explorer?

Ebay has a killer set of Rear seats from a 2004 Explorer that are brand new
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2472917249&category=33701

Not sure how the bolts would go though. If these would work I'd do it, but just 2 rear buckets would be cool too, since I have a center console project coming up and I could stretch it between the seats if I go buckets in the rear.

Any info is appreciated fellas.
Thanks,

 

[Swee294349]

I have done this in my 91. I put in seats from a 92. all that had to be made up were brackets for the front of the seats. don't know how the rear of the newer ex's are set up.

 

[Jefe]

I wouldn't think that a 3rd gen back seat would fit in a 2nd gen, since the 3rd gen is wider. But it would be cool if they did to get that dual fold down action. Edit: I soppose w/o the center section it might work.

 

[expo5.0]

i'd help if i knew how to do it.

mine are just sitting around waiting for one of my friends to volunteer to weld something up. i've just been too busy with other things recently, etc. and now the truck isn't here.

 

[typhoon43]

Expo,
that's cool man. For some reason I thought you had done this swap. Crap.. I need to see some pics to decide if I should go forward or not. I really want to have that middle space for my center console project..

ANyone got pics?

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

i'd help if i knew how to do it.

mine are just sitting around waiting for one of my friends to volunteer to weld something up. i've just been too busy with other things recently, etc. and now the truck isn't here.

LOL, now I know why you didn't reply to any of my PM's or e-mails about this. I also was under the impression you had already dont the transfer from bench to bucket in the rear. I just bought a pair of buckets for my 2nd row also so I am definately interested in this thread. But like Expo, I am also without my truck till it is out of the stereo shop.

 

[Swee294349]

you can check out my cardomain site. see if that pic gives any justice. www.cardomain.com/id/pimpedexplorer

 

[typhoon43]

you can check out my cardomain site. see if that pic gives any justice. www.cardomain.com/id/pimpedexplorer

OK, that givesme an idea of the space between so that rocks. Thanks. Now, when you say you had to fabricate a bracket for the front, is it just a flat bracket drilled out and mounted to the floor or something more complicated. This looks like something I have to do.. now I need new carpet while I'm in there.. grrr..

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

OK, that givesme an idea of the space between so that rocks. Thanks. Now, when you say you had to fabricate a bracket for the front, is it just a flat bracket drilled out and mounted to the floor or something more complicated. This looks like something I have to do.. now I need new carpet while I'm in there.. grrr..

I just bought a complete set of new carpet for my 98 from the dealer. I do get a discount however and it still ran 700 bucks. Good luck.
Also are you going to put in 3 seats or just a pair of buckets with a usable console in the rear? I want to go with a pair of buckets and a console, maybe a console out of an Expedition for mine. It is larger and would make a better fit, I hope. LOL.

 

[typhoon43]

BBQ,
I'll be going dual buckets, and my fiberglass console will run from the front all the way to the back in one piece. I just need to see how crazy I'll have to get with the bracket-making

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Are you planning on taking pictures of your install?

And Swee294349, you want to give any tips and suggestions on installing buckets and console in the rear as you did? What brackets did you use to bolt them to the floor?

 

[typhoon43]

Are you planning on taking pictures of your install?

Hehe I KNOW you were along for my stereo install. If you think I'd be any less inclinded to take a ton of pics, you'd be sadly mistaken. Remember, I am the self-appointed "Picture Nazi" of these forums. I'm tired of people showing great END RESULTS of their mods, but no build-up pics to help us fellow owners out. I'm on a personal mission to change that.

 

[Swee294349]

i believe the steel is 1/8". my dad and i did this in a weekend. we first got the seats mounted and bolted in starting from the back, but you have to make sure to get your holes to line up over the studs that come through the floor. one hold had to be drilled and that's the one on the inner side behind the passenger seat. so after you get your seats mounted and set where you want them you can them figure what you'll need for the length of the steel. we just heated the metal up with a torch and bent to the approximate angles. the angle of the metal that goes over the stud coming through the floor has to be a 90 degree angle. the other angles we just tried to come as close as we could. hope this explanation is OK. it was pretty straight forward. i got this idea on a friday late afternoon, picked up the seats and console on a saturday morning, and had the set up done on sunday afternoon.

 

[expo5.0]

sorry, about the not having it done thing.

i've been just doing so much, that i haven't had time to figure it out. i have a feeling it might come back from the painter with it done (by him or a friend) otherwise it will be job one at that point so that i can finish up the console.

 

[Fish Man]

ah i definatly want to do this! if only i could find 4 tah leather bucket seats arg...but then what to do about a console? i dont know how to 'glass...

 

[Fish Man]

swee...dunno about those seat covers but it looks great!

 

[Swee294349]

the seat covers are a cheap way to keep them clean with the sport covers. they have helped out with preventing tears. thanks for the compliments.