Captain chair to bench

[leulemes]

I'm looking to swap 2 captain chair black leather for a bench seat black leather. Change in family needs. I'm Orlando. FL. Is anyone looking to do the opposite? We could trade.

 

[chuck s]

No bench in my '17. There are three (3) separate seats and the outer pair are very similar to the "Captain's" seats just without arm rests. I know several folks here have converted from "bench" -- remember it's not a bench -- to separate seats by removing the center seat and adding arm rests. Reverse seems possible.

Should be threaded mounting holes for the middle seat under the carpet.

-- Chuck

 

[jjscsix]

Don’t forget seatbelts and wiring for seat belts.

 

[pessimisdick]

Just added a middle seat to mine today

 

[chuck s]

Looks great!

Want to share the details? Source of the center seat, ease of conversion, carpet, etc?

Are there seatbelt sensors on the 2d and 3d rows? Had Expeditions since 2007 and don't recall any.

-- Chuck

 

[Mr Big]

Yes please share the source of the center seat and how you installed the center seat between factory bucket seats with armrests?

 

[ccssid]

Interested as well

 

[acepilot13]

Here is a really good link on how to do it. I converted mine to a bench. I found my seat on eBay for $450 after delivery from seller partsboxbelton. The seats can be pricy just keep your eye out. I then bought some black leather repair patch to cover the holes where the arm rests went. The only thing is this doesn't get you the ability to push a button in the back to fold the center down it is all manual. You have to get a new wiring harness and button just not worth it. Though you could wire one if the seats in parallel to control the middle and let's say the left one

Repair patch: Leather Repair Patch，Leather Repair Tape, 12 x 48 inches Leather Repair Patch for Furniture,Vinyl Repair kit，Leather Couch Patch，for Sofas, Furniture, car Seats, Office Chairs(Black) https://a.co/d/3kBUH2F

Instructions: https://docs.google.com/document/u/...0XG5cINYpZsWI70SrjjBCf9es4o/mobilebasic?pli=1

 

[PhoenixRizez]

I'm looking to swap 2 captain chair black leather for a bench seat black leather. Change in family needs. I'm Orlando. FL. Is anyone looking to do the opposite? We could trade.

As far as I know, the “captain’s chairs” in the second row are literally the EXACT same chairs as the bench. The only difference for the “bench” seat is that the factory doesn’t add the inside armrests to the chairs and they bolt in a center seat. I ordered mine with the bench and it even still has the seat cut-outs where the armrests would’ve gone if they didn’t put in the center seat.

So you shouldn’t have to “swap” anything, just buy the center seat section and add it. There have been several people on here that have posted about doing it, and they’ve indicated it wasn’t too difficult.

 

[Mr Big]

As far as I know, the “captain’s chairs” in the second row are literally the EXACT same chairs as the bench. The only difference for the “bench” seat is that the factory doesn’t add the inside armrests to the chairs and they bolt in a center seat. I ordered mine with the bench and it even still has the seat cut-outs where the armrests would’ve gone if they didn’t put in the center seat.

So you shouldn’t have to “swap” anything, just buy the center seat section and add it. There have been several people on here that have posted about doing it, and they’ve indicated it wasn’t too difficult.

The turnoff to me is having to remove the armrest and repair the buckets where the armrests were. I'm sure there is some 3rd party center console with seat or actual seat that could retrofit between the buckets?

 

[pessimisdick]

Acepilot13 nailed it. I used those exact instructions from another thread here. Super straight forward. Found the seat on OfferUp and paid $200 for it. Parts cost about $50. I’ll have to give that leather patch option a try as I do need to patch the armrest holes so thanks!

 

[acepilot13]

Acepilot13 nailed it. I used those exact instructions from another thread here. Super straight forward. Found the seat on OfferUp and paid $200 for it. Parts cost about $50. I’ll have to give that leather patch option a try as I do need to patch the armrest holes so thanks!

Here is some photos of what mine look like. Not extremely pretty but functional and don't really notice it unless you fold just the middle seat down.

 

[lobsenza]

I bet the upolstery repair person that does repairs for dealerships could fix the armrest hole.

 

[pessimisdick]

Here is some photos of what mine look like. Not extremely pretty but functional and don't really notice it unless you fold just the middle seat down.

Mine looks similar now. I bought the same stuff. It’s definitely darker so it’s not perfect BUT it’s very functional and should keep goldfish out just fine.

 

[chuck s]

Just in case someone thinks about these gold fish inside the seat...

 

[acepilot13]

Definitely need to be careful with those mega bites they are so sharp they cut through leather haha. The darker color is a little annoying but hey better than a toddler filling it with snacks or ripping it.

 

[SunnySunshine]

The turnoff to me is having to remove the armrest and repair the buckets where the armrests were. I'm sure there is some 3rd party center console with seat or actual seat that could retrofit between the buckets?

Someone really needs to make some sort of big enough safe that you can bolt to the empty spot in the 2nd row so you can store laptops, firearms, cameras, and such inside. One thing I hate about SUVs is the lack of secure storage inside.

 

[acepilot13]

Someone really needs to make some sort of big enough safe that you can bolt to the empty spot in the 2nd row so you can store laptops, firearms, cameras, and such inside. One thing I hate about SUVs is the lack of secure storage inside.

Price is right I'll manufacturer you one. I'll just copy the bolt pattern off the center seat. Then it'll fit a nice SBR and several hand guns. Just a 1/8"-1/4" Steel. Could throw a grenade in it and at least survive.

 

[MattyJ5678]

Here is a really good link on how to do it. I converted mine to a bench. I found my seat on eBay for $450 after delivery from seller partsboxbelton. The seats can be pricy just keep your eye out. I then bought some black leather repair patch to cover the holes where the arm rests went. The only thing is this doesn't get you the ability to push a button in the back to fold the center down it is all manual. You have to get a new wiring harness and button just not worth it. Though you could wire one if the seats in parallel to control the middle and let's say the left one

Repair patch: Leather Repair Patch，Leather Repair Tape, 12 x 48 inches Leather Repair Patch for Furniture,Vinyl Repair kit，Leather Couch Patch，for Sofas, Furniture, car Seats, Office Chairs(Black) https://a.co/d/3kBUH2F

Instructions: https://docs.google.com/document/u/...0XG5cINYpZsWI70SrjjBCf9es4o/mobilebasic?pli=1

Hey acepilot13, do you happen to still have a copy of these instructions?? I'm looking to covert a 24' from captains to bench. But I'm a bit intimidated at the moment and I'm especially wondering if there's going to be the mounting points already there underneath the carpet or if I'll have to customize how I attach the seat bolts. Any help is appreciated here!

 

[MattyJ5678]

Acepilot13 nailed it. I used those exact instructions from another thread here. Super straight forward. Found the seat on OfferUp and paid $200 for it. Parts cost about $50. I’ll have to give that leather patch option a try as I do need to patch the armrest holes so thanks!

Do you have a copy of these instructions? That doc link has been deleted. Asked acepilot also. My model is a 24'. Literally created an account for the forum just for these bench seats and to ask you guys! Please help! Haha mostly wondering if holes are predrilled/tapped/inserts there etc on the captains models before I tear up the carpet, wondering what I'm getting into. Thanks!