Why are 2nd row bucket seats so hard to find?

[DubbsFaris]

My bad, I didn't mean factory, I meant buying the parts seperately. And the 280 is correct. My whole bill was 430.00 but it included rear storage mat

 

[OKC_Explorer]

Ford Parts Source

Check out Ford Parts

I searched for the rear console and found what looks like the complete assembly for $96.40. Reference part# 045A90A (black).

But this still doesn't answer what I was told by the Service folks at my dealer: That if the car isn't built with the console, then the thread bosses the aforementioned 4 bolts thread into will not be there. So if they're correct then that console you just bought cannot simply be bolted down.

I haven't looked to see if this is really true - its just what I was told.

 

[peterk9]

The Ford Accessories online page show the second row console but it looks like it is only available in different types of black. It is listed at $357.14 with a note to check locally. Therefore I'm guessing that the mounting holes are already there under the carpeting.

Peter

 

[DubbsFaris]

Well, my dealer did it and didn't mention any problems installing it.

 

[BradGT]

Most used Explorers I have located are former rentals, so to maximize rental potential, most are ordered with the bench seat I would surmise.

 

[KOJAK-13-EX]

Adding here as well:

Cliff Notes:
Second (2nd) Row Bucket Direct Swap Options for Explorer
2005-2007 Ford Freestyle
2008-2009 Ford Taurus X
2009-Present Ford Flex
2010-Present Lincoln MKT
2011-Present Ford Explorer (obviously)
Temporary option for carseat use only is using 40 split from passenger side on driver side.

My wife and I were in the same boat, we have 3 kids in carseats with not enough room on the bench so we had to resort to not using the infant carrier base for our newborn so that our oldest could climb into the 3rd row. I did some research on how the Explorer uses the Ford D4 platform, a modified version of the Ford D3 platform that is used on the Ford Freestyle and Taurus X and figured that the seat bolt patterns were more than likely not modified between the two. So I finally made it to the junk yard yesterday and sure enough I found a limited Freestyle with black leather sliding buckets and they were a direct swap in our 13 XLT. The stitch pattern and headrests are not the same but for a temporary seat to strap in a carseat it will do just fine and we can swap back in the bench when they are all older and regain the 7 passenger option. Also if you will only be using the seat with a carseat using the built in anchors you can also use another passenger side 40 split on the driver side as they have the same bolt pattern. You just won't be able to use the seat without a carseat as the seatbelt buckle is on the wrong side. Just be sure not to sell or trade your vehicle in until you have put the correct seats back in.

Here is the wikipedia on the Ford D3 platform that lists all the other vehicles based on it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_D3_platform

 

[Drive XR7]

The 2nd row buckets were a wife requirement. I too had a hard time finding '16 XSports with 401A/buckets/moonroof. Finally found one new but had also been shopping used/CPO. Yes, they are harder to find. Our rational was that we have 1 kid in a child seat today and another one the way so we'd use the 2nd row buckets for their carseats, then use the center aisle to get into the third row if we needed it. When one kid is old enough (and I even still have the car), I'll install a middle console.

 

[smashclash]

Not sure if I should have started a new thread on this or not. But long story short I want to know if swapping a 2nd row bench for the 2nd row buckets is as simple as bolt in and bolt out. Or is there more to it than that? Does anyone know for sure?

 

[4havnfun]

I suspect that availability of 2nd row buckets are a function of trim level. We had a hard time find a platinum with a 2nd row bench seat.

Ease of swapping will also be a function of trim level as well. Some trim levels have a power flip on the 2nd row buckets that may not be there on all trim levels while all 2nd row bench seats are manual flip I believe.

 

[Sgt1411]

Not sure if I should have started a new thread on this or not. But long story short I want to know if swapping a 2nd row bench for the 2nd row buckets is as simple as bolt in and bolt out. Or is there more to it than that? Does anyone know for sure?

My understanding is you have PowerFold 2nd Row Buckets vs no PowerFold bench. The harness isn't there.

Also doesnt the bench come with a third seatbelt in the middle?

The floor bolt patterns would likely match its just the other issues.

I would go look at one and see if those are still issues you can overcome.

 

[peterk9]

Not sure if I should have started a new thread on this or not. But long story short I want to know if swapping a 2nd row bench for the 2nd row buckets is as simple as bolt in and bolt out. Or is there more to it than that? Does anyone know for sure?

No need to start a new thread. This subject has been discussed several times before. There are exiting threads on this.

 

[contagiouz]

My understanding is you have PowerFold 2nd Row Buckets vs no PowerFold bench. The harness isn't there.

Also doesnt the bench come with a third seatbelt in the middle?


The floor bolt patterns would likely match its just the other issues.

I would go look at one and see if those are still issues you can overcome.

"Also doesnt the bench come with a third seatbelt in the middle?" ----- quick answer is yes. See this craigslist listing. ~~~>>>>> http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/5803007787.html

I have a platinum with stone white.

Im trying to find a bench for the 2nd row as well. The 2nd row captain chairs are nothing more than the 40/60 with another 40 behind the driver. So a swap would be for only one from behind the driver side. I found over a million black 2nd row seats for little as 50 bucks but all of them are not heated, power, or have the airbag in the seat belt, since they are coming from a police interceptor. I tried disconnecting the power cable from the seat and it throws a airbag light. From what i have gathered by asking a few service technicians from different locations is that if you swap the seat from a seat airbag option to a non airbag seat belt option then ONLY THAT SEAT BELT AIRBAG will NOT deploy all airbags will work fine. Some said that is true while others say the whole airbag system will not work if one airbag is disconnected/ faulted.

Point is its not as easy as if it fits it will work.

 

[smashclash]

Fortunately the Explorer I'd be putting these in is a basic Leather black XLT. No heating, no power, just straight seat. So for me it should be simple plug and play.


Does the middle row seatbelt connect somewhere to the floor or is it totally encapsulated in the bench seat?

 

[Sgt1411]

That one in the CraigsList add is a Police Utility 2nd Row Bench which is different from the retail 2nd Row Bench altogether. I doubt it matches anything retail because it's made with all vinyl, no leather, and very flat design. $100 is very cheap though