Trailmax II Fold and Tumble

[Nobody]

I've been wanting a new rear seat that I could squeeze my three kids into. I hadn't really found anything I liked, so I kept putting it off. Out of curiosity I looked up some pictures of the Icon Bronco, and liked what I saw for a back seat. Further investigation revealed that it was likely the Bestop TrailMax II fold and tumble. It appears a few folks here already discovered that.

The models for the 97-06 wrangler are an absolute perfect fit! Not quite a bolt in, but close enough.

I decided on the black denim. I was a little concerned about the actual color since I had read that some folks reported the black was more of a grey. I found that it was pretty much a perfect match to my black denim soft top.

This is the seat I bought, $275 and free shipping from amazon!
http://amzn.to/29S7pMO

Great fit, just rubs the rear wheel wells.

I tried to find a happy balance of leg room and maximized rear space when folded forward. Lined up with the rear wheel well worked well.

Has a zippered map pocked, adjustable head rests.

folded. sorry about blurry pic

tumbled. I have about 36" of cargo space. Hopefully my spare still fits! Used factory seatbelt holes.

head rests do not rest on floor.

Of course one of the holes landed on top of a body cross-member. I made some captive nut plates. Had to open the floor up to install the one above the cross-member.

No problemo

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Nice install , looks like a great fit! Now that makes another decision I'll have to make for reassembly.

Did you take any "step by step" pics of the captive nut plates? Just curious as to how you went about it. Simple enough concept though.

That tumble feature looks mighty tempting. The rear seat that is/was in mine had a storage box built beneath it , which is pretty handy also.

I'll have to give that some thought as to which I'd prefer in the end.

Some pics for the curious.

 

[Nobody]

Since I don't have a pickup, my bronco gets to pull double duty. It was annoying to have to pull the stock seat every time I wanted to haul something. I'll still have to pull the fold and tumble sometimes too though.

Your underseat toolbox is a nice option. Knowing me I'd need what's in it every time I had the seat pulled.

On the captive nut plates, they are just 1/8 steel with a nut tacked on. Then I driledl additional holes on either side of the nut and plug welded them to the floor and ground flat. Where I opened the floor, I just cut the three sides, installed the plate and closed her up with a series of short welds.

One other pic

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Nice , I would have never thought of drilling a hole for the weld. Great idea , use the bolt to "clamp" the piece in place and weld/fill the hole. I love it.

Just out of curiosity , mig or stick ? I stick at work all the time , very rarely mig , never tig'd.

 

[Seattle66]

Looks good. Thanks for all the pics. Exactly what I want to install.

 

[carter2772]

Thats a great looking seat! And the price is good too!

 

[Nobody]

Nice , I would have never thought of drilling a hole for the weld. Great idea , use the bolt to "clamp" the piece in place and weld/fill the hole. I love it.

Just out of curiosity , mig or stick ? I stick at work all the time , very rarely mig , never tig'd.

Mig with .023 wire

 

[xcntrk]

Looks great!

I use the same seat as well. I had a problem with the flimsy plastic bushings that are used at the pivot point breaking and falling apart, so I upgraded the mounting and pivot with brass bushings and sleeves instead. Works great!

 

[Nobody]

Looks great!

I use the same seat as well. I had a problem with the flimsy plastic bushings that are used at the pivot point breaking and falling apart, so I upgraded the mounting and pivot with brass bushings and sleeves instead. Works great!

Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye on them. Since those plastic bushings locked into a groove on the shaft, it looked like they were more of a "clip" to keep the seat from walking side to side. Did you have to drill out the bracket hole to fit a real bushing in there, or did you find one that fits as is?

 

[Prizefighter]

Tom's sells this seat for $259 plus shipping and it comes with the brackets to make install a cinch. The Trailmax back seat looks like the way to go though.

 

[hyghlndr]

I have installed these in several Broncos, a great seat and really nice to have adjustable headrests.

 

[broncoitis]

Nice job on the install. Looks really good. Might have to get one as well!
;D

 

[monkeylovetrees]

Just bought a full seat of them

 

[BanditBronco]

Is it pretty rigid when tumbled or is it kinda floppy? Would it withstand cruising through the dunes with it tumbled or a rough trail ride without making a ton of noise or coming loose?