Rear seat, re-design

[red71sport]

I may have mentioned this before, if so sorry. I have a big family, 4, 4-year olds in fact (quads). I have an idea to build "troop carrier" style rear seats in a Bronco. You know, bench style seat, going from front to back, rather than side to side. The passengers in the back, would be looking at each other, and sharing foot space. I am sure that I would have to build then tall, above the wheel wells. I am not sure how wide the rear is, from top rail to top rail. Do you guys think there is enough room for this? Or do I need to buy an Expedition, and live with it?

Thanks in advance.

Oh and not that I would have to ask, but if anyone has done something like this and has pictures, that would be great.

-jim-

 

[trailpsycho]

I think a few people have done jump seats like these, but I dont remember...its been a while.

The danger with the jump seat, is the lateral neck movement in the case of a rear end or front end collision...its just not the safest seating method. That being said, another safety concern is head-clearance. If you stick a teenager or an adult with their butt sitting on the wheel well, look how close their head is to the rear bars of the cage. Its a height problem. The rear seat is angled and sit pretty low--butt is only 6-8" off the floor. A jump seat would start considerably higher and the issue of having a cage made high enough to accomodate a teen or adult sitting there would further complicate the design. And ulitmately, thats what you would need to do is design the cage, with the jump-seats in mind.

I am not saying it cant be done...but there is not a simple and safe solution that I know of. You couold always extend the Bronco and have a 3rd row of seats.

Or pick up a different SUV and use the Bronco for fun.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

A guy I work with has a 1969 LandCruiser, which is roughly the same size as an EB and has facing rear seats.

Supposedly, they're designed to seat two people each, but there just isn't much room back there. The cool thing is that the seats flip up when cargo space is needed, but I can't imagine anyone bigger than a toddler sitting in them (and they should be in car seats anyway, which I don't think would fit or be anchored properly).

 

[red71sport]

I think a few people have done jump seats like these, but I dont remember...its been a while.

The danger with the jump seat, is the lateral neck movement in the case of a rear end or front end collision...its just not the safest seating method. That being said, another safety concern is head-clearance. If you stick a teenager or an adult with their butt sitting on the wheel well, look how close their head is to the rear bars of the cage. Its a height problem. The rear seat is angled and sit pretty low--butt is only 6-8" off the floor. A jump seat would start considerably higher and the issue of having a cage made high enough to accomodate a teen or adult sitting there would further complicate the design. And ulitmately, thats what you would need to do is design the cage, with the jump-seats in mind.

I am not saying it cant be done...but there is not a simple and safe solution that I know of. You couold always extend the Bronco and have a 3rd row of seats.

Or pick up a different SUV and use the Bronco for fun.

good points all. Currently my peeps are less then 4' tall. head room isn't an issue yet, but would be. hmmmmmmm.......

 

[red71sport]

A guy I work with has a 1969 LandCruiser, which is roughly the same size as an EB and has facing rear seats.

Supposedly, they're designed to seat two people each, but there just isn't much room back there. The cool thing is that the seats flip up when cargo space is needed, but I can't imagine anyone bigger than a toddler sitting there (and they should be in car seats anyway, which I don't think would fit or be anchored properly).

In TN, booster seats are required after 4 yrs old. I have a good fix for that, as they just use seat belts anyway. Thanks for the info.

 

[666]

you can also try doing like a station wagon seat set-up with the 2 bench seats back to back

 

[sigepkat]

You could stretch it and do two rows of back seats...I think one of the LEBC guys has done this.

 

[fungus]

I'm in the same boat and planning on about a 20" stretch. I'm going to run 2 sets of stock bucket seats (1st & 2nd row) to allow walk through access to the 3rd row bench seat.

 

[My69Pony]

Without stretching the Bronco, I have put two rear seats both facing forward. The rear seat is all the way against the tailgate with the middle seat placed so there is about equal space. It’s a tight fit, but with the little ones still being little you should have plenty of room. For short trips, my 16 and 15 year olds will sit in them without to much complaint. With the bench seat out of a Ford Ranger in the front plus the two rear seats, there have been times I have put my full family in for a ride (that would be eight of us). I would like to eventually stretch my Bronco, but that’s a ways down the road.
Brian

 

[GrillMaster]

8 people in 1 bronco! You need to get a picture of that

 

[My69Pony]

8 people in 1 bronco! You need to get a picture of that

I'll see what I can find.
Brian

 

[red71sport]

Without stretching the Bronco, I have put two rear seats both facing forward. The rear seat is all the way against the tailgate with the middle seat placed so there is about equal space. It’s a tight fit, but with the little ones still being little you should have plenty of room. For short trips, my 16 and 15 year olds will sit in them without to much complaint. With the bench seat out of a Ford Ranger in the front plus the two rear seats, there have been times I have put my full family in for a ride (that would be eight of us). I would like to eventually stretch my Bronco, but that’s a ways down the road.
Brian

At this very moment, you are my favorite Bronco person!, you have given me new hope!

-jim-

 

[My69Pony]

Jim,
I'll try to find the picture of how I put them in. When I find them I'll PM you.
Brian