We are new to a 2003 Expedition XLT. I see photos here of the 3rd and 2nd row folded flat - with a huge cargo area. We've been able to fold both seats down, but notice the 2nd row seats aren't completely flat - they have a slight tilt up towards the front row seats. Is there a trick to getting them completely flat??
2003 - Folding 2nd row seats flat?
- Thread starter NewExpy
- Start date
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ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
Welcome to the Forum.
If I remember correctly there is a loop near the front bottom of the the outboard seats that you have to pull while pushing the seats down. You will have nice flat platform all the way to the back.
If I remember correctly there is a loop near the front bottom of the the outboard seats that you have to pull while pushing the seats down. You will have nice flat platform all the way to the back.
Vancouver Bob
Full Access Members
Yup, that's the trick... pull the loops below the front of the left and right middle seats. The middle middle goes down with the pull of the loop right by the seat belt (right side as you're sitting on it). That's as flat as they go.
Thanks, all. We got it done.
Next question:
Once the 2nd row seats are folded flat, there is a gap between those seats and the flat 3rd row seats. Is there a way to push the 2nd row seats back (to fill in the gap), or has someone invented a 'gap filler' so the area is flat?
Next question:
Once the 2nd row seats are folded flat, there is a gap between those seats and the flat 3rd row seats. Is there a way to push the 2nd row seats back (to fill in the gap), or has someone invented a 'gap filler' so the area is flat?
Bedrck47
Full Access Members
You can cut a piece of plywood to use as a filler Cut it wider than the opening and then take a 2X6 and screw it to the plywood it will fill in the gap between the seats and keep the plywood from sliding I also cover the plywood with vinyl or a piece of carpet
Use 1/4 inch plywood
Use 1/4 inch plywood
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
No. I just used a piece of 1/4" masonite peg board and just threw a blanket over it when ever I needed it to be completely flat like when I was loading my model airplanes and needed a flat area. The rough back side keeps it from sliding around and I cut it so that it fits in the back with the third row seats down long ways front to back or across if I have the third row seats up. That way it's always with the truck if I need it.
Now I need two pieces because my 17 has second row captain's chairs and now I have the gap between the seats as well as the gap you were talking about.
Vancouver Bob
Full Access Members
Yea, I would just stuff the gap with a bag or whatever's available during the times I was sleeping back there. Uncomfortable as hell! Started using padding and thin air mattress which helped. Been eyeing those tents that you mount on the roof... really cool... like having a tree house!
darmahsd
Full Access Members
Oddly enough, Ford abandoned the solution to the gap
between the folded 2nd and 3rd row seats after the
first gen. I had both a '97 and '05 and miss some of the
small detail features of the '97 that they eliminated,
I guess, in exchange for the better engineering of the
later models. On the '97, they had neat fold down
panels that locked into the second row seatbacks
but came down to fill the gaps. They were carpeted
to match the floor. Now, with the '05, I better fill the
gaps or my dog might break his leg moving back &
forth. I have a gray interior, so the factory looking
solution for me to mimmick the solution of my '97
is to make gray carpeted luan plywood panels that
adhere to the matching gray industrial Velcro you
can get in the box stores. Stick four corners of the
felt loop side to the 2nd row seatbacks and top of the
third and the coarse hook side to the downward side
of the panel you make. Now it will store behind the
2nd row seatback when upright and bridge the gap
between 2nd & 3rd when folded down, just like first
gen '97 to '02.
Stephen
between the folded 2nd and 3rd row seats after the
first gen. I had both a '97 and '05 and miss some of the
small detail features of the '97 that they eliminated,
I guess, in exchange for the better engineering of the
later models. On the '97, they had neat fold down
panels that locked into the second row seatbacks
but came down to fill the gaps. They were carpeted
to match the floor. Now, with the '05, I better fill the
gaps or my dog might break his leg moving back &
forth. I have a gray interior, so the factory looking
solution for me to mimmick the solution of my '97
is to make gray carpeted luan plywood panels that
adhere to the matching gray industrial Velcro you
can get in the box stores. Stick four corners of the
felt loop side to the 2nd row seatbacks and top of the
third and the coarse hook side to the downward side
of the panel you make. Now it will store behind the
2nd row seatback when upright and bridge the gap
between 2nd & 3rd when folded down, just like first
gen '97 to '02.
Stephen
I have the eddie bauer 2003 exedition and my middle seats don't have this loop on the two sides they have a latch in the back that flips them forward and the brackets are all covered in plastic. Really sucks. I would like them to fold forward
darmahsd
Full Access Members
The loop I'm talking about is the one half of the velcro
strips that you have to add to seatbacks and fabricated
luan and carpeted panels, whether you have the
electrically folding seats or the manual, same mod.
I would provide photos, but this is something that
I thought up that is still on my todo list.
The other loop that is being discussed are the black
nylon ones that all 2nd gens should have that releases
the articulated brackets under the middle seats that drop them once they are folded down. It moves them forward and down toward the front seatbacks. This make the surface even with the rear. This procedure, unfortunately, creates the gap.
strips that you have to add to seatbacks and fabricated
luan and carpeted panels, whether you have the
electrically folding seats or the manual, same mod.
I would provide photos, but this is something that
I thought up that is still on my todo list.
The other loop that is being discussed are the black
nylon ones that all 2nd gens should have that releases
the articulated brackets under the middle seats that drop them once they are folded down. It moves them forward and down toward the front seatbacks. This make the surface even with the rear. This procedure, unfortunately, creates the gap.
Not to hijack this 2nd-generation thread, but my 2000 has this feature. Unfortunately, the results aren't really "flat" -- there's a drop of at least 1/2 inch behind the 2nd row seats, which is murder on my back if I try to lie on it. I'm thinking of putting a low-profile cot in there....
darmahsd
Full Access Members
Nope, I guess I was hyjacking it. '97 thru 2002, 1rst
gen, so same as your '2000. I'm just using this as
an example of what Ford could have done with second gen, but chose not to obviously to cut cost. But they already did it with first gen, so I'm just copying with
version I described.
Stephen
gen, so same as your '2000. I'm just using this as
an example of what Ford could have done with second gen, but chose not to obviously to cut cost. But they already did it with first gen, so I'm just copying with
version I described.
Stephen
HarryM
Member
Wow, great question and great answer. I had no clue my seats would do this. I had to go try it, and it worked! Awesome.
Tish
New Member
Someone pleas Help my 2nd row middle seat won't fold Down it slide back and forth but won't fold Help
Are you pulling the strap as indicated on post#2?
