GreyAngel123
Member
Does anyone know what year of expedition I need to pull third row seats from. I have 2014 that never had 3rd row seats installed. I found a 2003 Lincoln navigator at my local scrap yard but I don't know if that will work.
3rd row seat install
- Thread starter GreyAngel123
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GlennSullivan
Full Access Members
It seems that the only models that did not come with 3rd row seat as standard are the XL and SSV, which do you have? Is there a removable piece of sheet metal in place where the seat should go?
The base XLT (200A) came with manual 3rd row seats and every model above that - XLT Premium, Limited and King Ranch - had power 3rd row seats.
It seems that it would be an easier job to retrofit the manual seats from a base XLT as you would only need to do the mechanical install and not be concerned with wiring harnesses and relays and fitting the control switches into the passenger side interior cover. That being said, the base XLT is probably the least produced model and hardest to find.
I looked at the part numbers for the third row seating components for each year between 2014 and 2007. The parts are exactly the same down to 2008. At 2007 there starts to be some differences in foam and seat covers, but the seat frames are the same.
The base XLT (200A) came with manual 3rd row seats and every model above that - XLT Premium, Limited and King Ranch - had power 3rd row seats.
It seems that it would be an easier job to retrofit the manual seats from a base XLT as you would only need to do the mechanical install and not be concerned with wiring harnesses and relays and fitting the control switches into the passenger side interior cover. That being said, the base XLT is probably the least produced model and hardest to find.
I looked at the part numbers for the third row seating components for each year between 2014 and 2007. The parts are exactly the same down to 2008. At 2007 there starts to be some differences in foam and seat covers, but the seat frames are the same.
GreyAngel123
Member
My car used to be a fire chief car and had a storage bin right behind the 2nd row seat. I watched a video that shows that all expedition have the holes drilled.
GreyAngel123
Member
It is a xlt El version
GlennSullivan
Full Access Members
So it is what is referred to as an SSV (Special Service Vehicle). They are generally very different builds. It probably does not have any of the wiring or relays to operate a power third row seat, so I would be looking for a non power unit from an base XLT (200A), of course as I said before they will be the lowest quantity built and hardest to find.
Here are a bunch of available 3rd row seats, but all are leather and I assume the powerfold versions.
AutoPartSearch 12/03/23
www.autopartsearch.com
fuzzmanmatt
Full Access Members
Darn, I see you're in California. I've got a set sitting in my basement I'd love to get rid of, but yeah, you're going to need wiring to get them hooked up, I don't think the SSV came with it. Unless you want to build your own harness. The switches are just polarity changing switches going to the DC motors in the seats.
GreyAngel123
Member
I actually live in Michigan. I don't know why I put California and yeah there is no wiring there.
DeafBringer
Full Access Members
I have a 2012 XL that came with manual 3rd row from the factory. The 2011 SSV (from what I can tell) has the option to come with manual 3rd row. I also have a 2011 SSV that I looked at and all the bolt holes needed for 3rd row hardware are all there, same as the 2012 XL with the optioned 3rd row.
JamaicaJoe
Full Access Members
Is it possible to remove the seats from the vehicle and install just the carpeted seat back/floor section? Even if I could remove the floor without damaging the seats and install it back in the vehicle with custom bracket would work for me. I want the seats out and the space below open.
GreyAngel123
Member
So if I was going to install automatic third row seats what would be the best way to hook up the motors and get them to work.
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GlennSullivan
Full Access Members
I found this thread from someone on here who did the same project on the same 2014 year Expedition. I read through it and it is a fairly complicated process that involves adding wires to the main wiring harness (which runs the length of the vehicle) along with pins to the connectors and the necessary relays (relays the easy part). You would of course also need to obtain the switch assembly that fits into the passenger side rear trim panel. The person that successfully performed this surgery, used a main harness from a doner vehicle, placing it side by side to his to see what was missing and then moved those wires and connectors over to his harness.
www.expeditionforum.com
***EDIT*** He ended up having issues with the ECU resetting and not recognizing the 3rd row. Rather than continue with the dealer and Ford, he installed a key switch adjacent to the 3rd row seat switches that would control power to the seat switches.
Before I read this, I was thinking that it might have been as simple as plugging in a portion of the harness that was not installed in vehicles with manual or no third row seat. Based on information in the linked thread, that is not possible. Vehicles with electric 3rd row seats have a different main wiring harness.
If you have the skills and time to do the project, the process is outlined in the linked thread, if not, then in my mind, the best route would be to find a set of manual 3rd row seats, possibly from the parts yard search site I linked earlier.
Another alternative is to use the factory switches and install your own wiring, relays and lockout device.
2014 Ford Expedition XL Adding Third Row
I have not seen this conversion, but I have seen interest in it, so I thought I'd go ahead and post it online. I purchased an ELECTRIC third row, wiring harness, belts, buttons, and interior moldings for my 2014 Expedition that doesn't have a third row. You can read about the purchase here...
www.expeditionforum.com
***EDIT*** He ended up having issues with the ECU resetting and not recognizing the 3rd row. Rather than continue with the dealer and Ford, he installed a key switch adjacent to the 3rd row seat switches that would control power to the seat switches.
Before I read this, I was thinking that it might have been as simple as plugging in a portion of the harness that was not installed in vehicles with manual or no third row seat. Based on information in the linked thread, that is not possible. Vehicles with electric 3rd row seats have a different main wiring harness.
If you have the skills and time to do the project, the process is outlined in the linked thread, if not, then in my mind, the best route would be to find a set of manual 3rd row seats, possibly from the parts yard search site I linked earlier.
Another alternative is to use the factory switches and install your own wiring, relays and lockout device.
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JamaicaJoe
Full Access Members
Grey Angel. I am in Florida and am fixing to do the reverse. I have Stone Interior and manual 3rd row seats. I am looking for parts to do the delete. I may be interested in the tray that goes forward of the tool compartment if your has the part number:
Ford 7L1Z-78115A00-AA
However being that you have an EL version this may not be same. When you remove it let me know what part number is on it. Also a picture of the before condition of your delete model would be appreciated. The lid might be useful to me as well.GreyAngel123
Member
Yes I can absolutely take pictures of the delete for you and let you know the part number. The tray as well as the compartment cover is beige.
JamaicaJoe
Full Access Members
Thanks!
GreyAngel123
Member
@JamaicaJoe Part number is 7L14-78111D08-A. The box uses the 4 front bolt holes that the seats slid into as mounting brackets. Super easy swap. I was able to use 3rd row seats out of the 2003 Lincoln Navigator that I mentioned earlier, and the seats were manual.
I know this is an old thread, with the older third row seats did you have to create a custom mounting bracket? Or did the factory mounting holes line up? i just bought a 2016 Expy SSV EL
