JamaicaJoe
Full Access Members
When I added my new to me 3rd generation Expedition to my insurance policy the question was raised if this was a "modified vehicle". It is not as it is a stock XLT.
This does raise the question for me and perhaps many, what the threshold is for a vehicle being considered "modified" and what the consequences are.
In my case I intend to delete the manual third row seats as they are never going to be used. The deletion is simply removal of some bolts. No wiring is involved, no airbag or sensors either from what I can tell so far. The third row delete is actually a factory option. The parts will go into a crate for some future owner if any. Installation same as removal.
In place of the third row I am installing a shelf for "ham" radio "drawer units" and a shelf above for extension of the cargo floor and its functionality. To the casual observer, it will appear that the third row seats are folded down. This addition will not require drilling the vehicle in any way as the seat bolts will provide adequate anchoring. There is a commercially made shelf like this for later model years sold for police utility vehicles.
There will be some antennas on the roof and they will be the sole place where drilling holes will be involved.
The installation, while "permanent" in the sense that equipment will be securely bolted and safely installed will be entirely removable, the only trace are rubber plugs that are designed to fill the antenna holes. I am really not concerned about resale.
Any thoughts as to insurance implications?
This does raise the question for me and perhaps many, what the threshold is for a vehicle being considered "modified" and what the consequences are.
In my case I intend to delete the manual third row seats as they are never going to be used. The deletion is simply removal of some bolts. No wiring is involved, no airbag or sensors either from what I can tell so far. The third row delete is actually a factory option. The parts will go into a crate for some future owner if any. Installation same as removal.
In place of the third row I am installing a shelf for "ham" radio "drawer units" and a shelf above for extension of the cargo floor and its functionality. To the casual observer, it will appear that the third row seats are folded down. This addition will not require drilling the vehicle in any way as the seat bolts will provide adequate anchoring. There is a commercially made shelf like this for later model years sold for police utility vehicles.
There will be some antennas on the roof and they will be the sole place where drilling holes will be involved.
The installation, while "permanent" in the sense that equipment will be securely bolted and safely installed will be entirely removable, the only trace are rubber plugs that are designed to fill the antenna holes. I am really not concerned about resale.
Any thoughts as to insurance implications?