3rd row seating

[jeepin_idaho]

Do I've been working on a series of blog posts about what to do with my growing family vs XJ problem. Putting the blog posts together has helped me think out loud, or in text at least. I do not want to get rid of my XJ. However, 2 adults, 3 kids and 2 dogs make adventure in a XJ cramped. So for all my last ramblings on the topic you can check out the posts at http://the4x4podcast.com/decisions.

But I recently had another thought. Has anyone added a TJ seat to the cargo area? That would kill the cargo space but then there would at least be a more comfortable seating configuration. What do you think?

Dan
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[ArmyGuy45]

I remember doing some research on this since I wanted to add more seats to the XJ. After reading some reviews it looks like it would be better to just upgrade to a new vehicle vs the seats.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Osj7R6APmWg/TiMoIZqKWxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/AT5t2fNaytM/1310926112931.png

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BmhENhmhn8g/TiMoGRoaXfI/AAAAAAAAAGE/eEFyQBhz1bc/1310926046476.png

There isn’t much room back there so only your kids or small adults could fit back there.

http://bensjeepcherokee.blogspot.com/2011/07/third-row-seat.html

[cantab27]

yeah I would be worried about being rear-ended with a set up like that ..built as a 5 seater.........

[Rocco83]

I would skip this idea for safety reasons. The rear ends of XJs aren't exactly built that stout from the factory. You would just be asking for problems throwing kids back there. Better safe than sorry and getting a vehicle built for the family size you have.

[nickyg]

Just wait a while, soon they'll be teenagers and not want to be seen with you. Then you'll have the XJ all to yourself.

[Brasscatz]

I think the best option would be to get another vehicle. But if you can swing it, and the xj is paid off, keep the xj and buy a good affordable used car. I know with 3 kids it's tough financially, but even if you think you might be able to get $2k for the jeep, you can probably keep it and make up a down payment. The reason I say this is because I think you'll always regret selling your jeep.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 because my microwave couldn't do it

[4.3LXJ]

I think you could do this. But, you need to reinforce the floor area for seat brackets and belts etc. If you check under your current seats all the bolting points are reinforced. If you used the split seat out of a WJ, you could easily fold one side down for access to a full width seat. I have a WJ here and plan to put the seats in my XJ after we finish the V8 in the kids TJ. And Nicky is right, when they get older they won't want to be seen with you. Another option is to get your wife her own XJ and let her fix it up the way she wants :D

[jeepin_idaho]

So here's a bit of background. My wife drives a 2wd Suburban. I, of course, drive the XJ. I want to take the whole family on adventures in the XJ so I need the seating. A rear facing car seat and 2 booster seats is impossible. My XJ has need paid off for a long time so I don't want to get rid of it.

@4.3LXJ reinforcement would be in the plan. How would you go about adding the reinforcement?

Dan
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[jeepin_idaho]

.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Osj7R6APmWg/TiMoIZqKWxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/AT5t2fNaytM/1310926112931.png

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BmhENhmhn8g/TiMoGRoaXfI/AAAAAAAAAGE/eEFyQBhz1bc/1310926046476.png

There isn’t much room back there so only your kids or small adults could fit back there.

http://bensjeepcherokee.blogspot.com/2011/07/third-row-seat.html

That looks like a lot of leg room! Especially for a 6 or 8 year old!

Dan
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[4.3LXJ]

So here's a bit of background. My wife drives a 2wd Suburban. I, of course, drive the XJ. I want to take the whole family on adventures in the XJ so I need the seating. A rear facing car seat and 2 booster seats is impossible. My XJ has need paid off for a long time so I don't want to get rid of it.

@4.3LXJ reinforcement would be in the plan. How would you go about adding the reinforcement?

Dan
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Drop the gas tank and add 1/8" plate wherever you bolt anything. It needs to be big enough to spread the forces out, say 6X6".

[Carves]

Seen a coupla XJs down here with 3rd row seating that met our nanny state regulations.

I'll see if I can find some mounting info ... don't hold your breath waiting tho .. ;);)

Problem with the XJ is that despite it being called a truck and everything .... its still only a little station wagon ... and space is always short.

Mine loaded up for a camping run ... makes me think of a WW2 LRDG willys with crap everywhere .. :D

You might want to factor in a roofrack or 6x4 trailer with your rear seat plans ??

[jeepin_idaho]

Mine loaded up for a camping run ... makes me think of a WW2 LRDG willys with crap everywhere .. :D

You might want to factor in a roofrack or 6x4 trailer with your rear seat plans ??

I already have a rack and if I went with a third row seat, then I would also be building a trailer of some kind. Either an Explorer Box from Compact Camping Concepts or a Dinoot trailer.

http://compactcampingconcepts.com

http://www.dinoot.com


Dan
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[4.3LXJ]

Man, how are you going to put all those people in one of those small tents?

[jeepin_idaho]

That's a good question. One of the tents is made for 5 and if I rig up a system to raise the RTT to is appropriate level, then we could use the "changing room" as a sleep area too.

Dan
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[4.3LXJ]

Just to share an experience with you. We camped in an area out in the middle of the sage brush in NE OR near Baker city. We let someone use the large vestibule, which had no floor, on our tent to sleep in. Turns out there were plenty of critters of the Black Widow variety crawling on the ground. So moral of this is that a tent needs a floor or it will be haven to lots of unwanted guests. That dressing area have a floor?

[jeepin_idaho]

Yes it does!

Dan
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[Purple H]

Just a note of caution, our family got pulled over by a State Trooper while in a Volvo station wagon with factory installed rear facing seats. Said we couldn't put kids in the cargo area. Took about 10 min of convincing and the owners manual to convince him otherwise. He said he never heard of such a thing. Heck when I was growing up all & I mean every station wagon had rear facing seats in the back. Not meaning any disrespect, but seriously? If we didn't have that manual with us, I know it would have gone sideways. He was a man on a mission. True story. Just a thought. BTW, 4 kids here, I feel your pain.

[jeepin_idaho]

Now that doesn't surprise me. It may just have to stay a snug fit for the kids. At least one will be moving out of a car seat in May. I'll probably reach out to guys who have done this modification already and see what they leaned/experienced.

Dan
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[cantab27]

Just a note of caution, our family got pulled over by a State Trooper while in a Volvo station wagon with factory installed rear facing seats. Said we couldn't put kids in the cargo area. Took about 10 min of convincing and the owners manual to convince him otherwise. He said he never heard of such a thing. Heck when I was growing up all & I mean every station wagon had rear facing seats in the back. Not meaning any disrespect, but seriously? If we didn't have that manual with us, I know it would have gone sideways. He was a man on a mission. True story. Just a thought. BTW, 4 kids here, I feel your pain.

that will teach ya for driving a Volvo......:smiley-taunt002::D

[Purple H]

The Volvo wasn't that bad. got it cheep, put a grand + /- into it, drove it for 4 years. Red was driving it and learned the hard way that when there is no reading on the temp gauge it doesn't mean "cold" so she cooked the engine. Traded it to my brother for a dirt bike for my son. He tossed an engine in it, drove it for a year, sold it for about what I originally paid for it. Win / win for all. But then again, it's not a Jeep!

[XjJeepacorn]

^^^ lol

[s1xty7]

Rather than necessarily look at third row seating, there are several options for compact booster seats but they can get a little pricey. Still probably cheaper and safer than adding a third row. There's also these vest type inventions, which I thought were cool and considered for my kids to give the back seat some additional room.

http://safetrafficsystem.com/

I only have two kids but my mom goes with us on trips frequently so it gets a little crowded.

Good luck!

[jeepin_idaho]

Wait, so how does that vest give me extra room? The other issue I have is that these US spec XJs don't have rear head restraints, which is pretty dangerous. Has anyone retrofit a ZJ seat (with head restraints) into a XJ?

Also, I've decided to disregard y'all and I'm adding a third row. It was either that or get rid of the XJ. I've already acquired a read seat from a 2dr JK and it fits nicely. Not much leg room but we can deal with that. Eventually there will be a roll cage to help with safety. More to come.

Dan
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[4.3LXJ]

A WJ rear seat almost fits, but you will need to fab some stuff. It would be nice to have a split seat to access that new third seat

[jeepin_idaho]

A WJ rear seat almost fits, but you will need to fab some stuff. It would be nice to have a split seat to access that new third seat
Exactly my thoughts

Dan
http://the4x4podcast.com

[4.3LXJ]

I have one, complete with seat belts

[jeepin_idaho]

How'd you do the seatbelts? I was planning on getting the Corbeau harness and bolting them too the floor with reinforcements.



Dan
http://the4x4podcast.com

[4.3LXJ]

The stock ones for the rear seat on the grand bolt up at the top of rear window. I think something like that would work

[jeepin_idaho]

I like the Corbeau harness because it seems like a better solution for short people. And it goes over both shoulders. There is also version of the harness with a retractor for the shoulder straps so the kid still has some mobility but it will lock up under hard braking or sudden impact.

Dan
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[4.3LXJ]

The retractor would be a must. Otherwise they would feel too restricted and refuse to wear it

[jeepin_idaho]

I totally agree.

I'm going to base my seat bracket design on the kit from Teraflex kit. http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-wrangler-3rd-seat-bracket-kit.html#

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/21/a7f0eebdebd406fb382d59cb75b2e923.jpg

Dan
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[denverd1]

growing up a buddy had a nissan ext cab PU. there were 2 jump seats in the back that folded down from the sides, inward toward each other. seems like a good option for small butts and still saves the cargo area. just an idea