Third Row Seat Installed

[Fat_Tony_Ova_Hea]

A buddy of mine at Autokicks on Longisland did a third row install complete with rollbar, 3 point belts and fold away. It looks so factory I told him he should do more of them. You guys think this could be a thing for him to try to sell or too niche?

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[Bowhunter23]

Looks awesome. Great job! However I don't know that I'd want to risk the life of anyone back there in something that's not OEM and has been crash tested.

 

[Tethmes]

Interesting idea. I'm sure someone would buy it, but real world usefulness would be limited to people with larger families of small children given the lack of legroom and footwells. At which point, there are just so many better options for people transport in the large SUV's, crossovers, and minivans.

 

[Yzfguy]

I'd never put anyone back there. I get that he is doing all he can with rollbars and harnesses, but the people would be in the crumple zone in a rear end collision. I understand the want for this idea, but having witnessed some tragedies involving rear passengers even in minivans designed for third rows, I wouldn't want a loved one seated that close to the space someone's front end could occupy. Not bashing or anything, but you asked for opinions.

 

[Fat_Tony_Ova_Hea]

Looks awesome. Great job! However I don't know that I'd want to risk the life of anyone back there in something that's not OEM and has been crash tested.

Yea true, I don't know the legal side he might be responsible for.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Yea true, I don't know the legal side he might be responsible for.

I'm no lawyer but I would say all of it in a crash.

 

[martoaj]

Even if he has a big 'ol disclaimer and has buyers sign a liability waiver with purchase ... I'm just not sure it's the smartest idea to sell something that could jeopardize the safety of the occupants. Assuming the seats and belts themselves are sound, there's still a huge concern around the rear crash structure crumpling too much and hitting the 3rd row occupants; not to mention the rear axle and spare tire considerations.

I get that Jeep owners seem to have a higher tolerance for the balance between modifications and safety, but goodness this still seems like a bad idea.

Look, we all see people do stupid things. They drive around with passengers sitting loose in the beds of pickup trucks, and some are silly enough to not wear seatbelts in cars. But I think what makes this just as bad is there's the perception of safety because there's a seat, belt, and rollbar -- but then in a rear-end collision you get crushed by a huge spare tire and the truck's rear crumple zone collapsing on you.

This looks incredibly well done for what it is, though. No doubt he's capable of making something else that could be marketed and sold.

 

[aldo98229]

A buddy of mine at Autokicks on Longisland did a third row install complete with rollbar, 3 point belts and fold away. It looks so factory I told him he should do more of them. You guys think this could be a thing for him to try to sell or too niche?

Hope not.

 

[Heimkehr]

A remarkable execution of a Proof of Concept. It likely won't proceed beyond that point, for the reasons previously stated, but your friend really has some excellent fabrication skills, Tony.

 

[Spartan99]

These have been around for a while already. I have one for my JKUX. One of my first mods I did back in 2008.

 

[YJdude]

A hardcore Jeep family that lives near me did this on a couple JKUs. It's great for the kids back there.

For those mentioning rear collision being a factor, have you seen what the factory rear seat in a 2-door looks like??? It's no safer.

 

[martoaj]

For those mentioning rear collision being a factor, have you seen what the factory rear seat in a 2-door looks like??? It's no safer.

Being crash tested by Jeep and the NHTSA/IIHS are nice perks. It may not "look like" it's safe, but it is approved for passenger use worldwide and is actually built to carry passengers and keep them safe in event of a crash. The rear storage area of a 4-door Wrangler is not.

Saying "the rear seats already aren't the best, so why not do something aftermarket that isn't even tested?" makes zero sense. Not sure why people would trust some guy to build seats that their children would sit in, no matter how good it "looks."

I'm sure most people with these aftermarket 3rd rows are just going to use it to putter around a small town or drive on the beach. And I'm sure it's plenty safe for that. But do people really have the restraint to only use it there?

 

[XX4XEXX]

I personally think this is badazz! It's been around but as far as DMV goes as long as your in a mounted seat and buckled in your . Camping beach hopper seat, back seat getaway for the kids. We have had so many seats bolted in the back of PUs and seat belts installed in the past in our family it's funny to see all the "safety" crash test comments.

 

[AcesandEights]

Will it fit a two-door?

 

[YJdude]

Being crash tested by Jeep and the NHTSA/IIHS are nice perks. It may not "look like" it's safe, but it is approved for passenger use worldwide and is actually built to carry passengers and keep them safe in event of a crash. The rear storage area of a 4-door Wrangler is not.

Saying "the rear seats already aren't the best, so why not do something aftermarket that isn't even tested?" makes zero sense. Not sure why people would trust some guy to build seats that their children would sit in, no matter how good it "looks."

I'm sure most people with these aftermarket 3rd rows are just going to use it to putter around a small town or drive on the beach. And I'm sure it's plenty safe for that. But do people really have the restraint to only use it there?

So getting rear ended while puttering around a small town or on the way to the beach is okay?

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