2019 classic. Folding rear seat mod done.

PoMansRam · Aug 3, 2020

Good grief! I think the same dude that torques on factory oil filters also puts all his might into the bolts that hold the rear seat to the floor!

First I didn't have an 18mm socket for the bolts for what ever reason. The socket sets I have all jump from 17 to 19mm. I have an 18mm open end wrench, but that ain't gonna cut it for this job. Luckily Napa had an 18mm 3/8" socket for $3. LOL

I needed a 24" breaker bar to get all 4 bolts moving, then was able to transition to a 3/8" ratchet with a cheater pipe on it. They come out HARD the whole way.

Once the bolts are out. Simply lift up on each side of the seat to lift it off the latches. Trim the metal tabs with a hack saw just to the plastic guide. Reinstall and done. The only workout here is removing the 4 bolts. Screw the loctite. I never seized them on re-install. They went in like butta and that's the way they shall stay.

The major reason I wanted the rear seatback to fold is so I can keep an eye on water leaks and get at the rear cab vents should I need to. Also makes for easy rear window cleaning.

misfit77 · Aug 3, 2020

Ive heard of the german torque, gudentight

What would be the italian (fiat) torque?

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bm02tj · Aug 3, 2020

I store a tow strap, window scrapers and a folding stool to help some people get into the truck
I have read some stow guns and stuff

cam101 · Aug 5, 2020

Those 4 bolts are definitely torqued down. I had mine unbolted so i could put a spacer kit in for my audio mods.

Greif · Sep 13, 2020

How much room is back there? Wondering if I should do it

WY-Dave · Sep 13, 2020

I used a Ryobi cordless torque gun zip x4 done.

Add for space. I took out the middle seatbelt after a GSD pup decided to tear it up after getting an attitude when she was left in the truck when we went shopping. The step ladder is about 3" thick. If i took out the padding, there would be about another inch.

NOV87 · Sep 13, 2020

Thanks for pics. Thinking of doing that to mine. BTW 9, 11, 13, 15, 16 and 18mm are some of the uncommon sizes in metric wrench sets

.

OrganizedChaos · Sep 13, 2020

Is there a how to for this? Think I am missing something.

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NOV87 · Sep 14, 2020

OrganizedChaos said:
Is there a how to for this? Think I am missing something.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/rear-seat-mod.79061/

shadowhawk · Sep 14, 2020

Greif said:
How much room is back there? Wondering if I should do it

I can't see a reason not to do it once you get past the safety consideration. As long as you don't cut too far up the metal brace you still maintain the locking seat back. It's nice to stick blankets, coats, firearms, etc behind the seat and have pretty quick access to it all.

PoMansRam · Sep 14, 2020

It's a definite must do. Not only to give you some more storage options, but like said, so you can so much more easily monitor for water leaks from the 3rd brake light, rear window or cab vents.

If you ever have to have the rear window replaced, the glass guy will thank you too. It's also SO much easier to clean the inside of the rear glass with the seat out of the way.

The only hiccup I've run into after trimming back the metal seat-back hooks is, if you're not careful when putting the seat back and re-latching, you can catch the plastic anti-rattle clip (the white nylon looking material) against the D-rings on the cab back which bends the plastic out of place and prevents the seat back from latching properly.

I'm sure there's a work around. I'm thinking about filing the corners more round on the plastic and metal edges that remain.

The only other thing.. and it's not really a big issue is, the backing on the rear seat isn't really a finished material. It's not made for durability so I wouldn't keep things mashed against it. I'd think it would tear or wear through quickly.

WY-Dave · Sep 16, 2020

shadowhawk said:
I can't see a reason not to do it once you get past the safety consideration. As long as you don't cut too far up the metal brace you still maintain the locking seat back. It's nice to stick blankets, coats, firearms, etc behind the seat and have pretty quick access to it all.

In my unprofessional and often f'd up logic, the safety concern is not a factor. At first I was concerned about it, but then I realized that in both "normal" positions is that the hoop to hook location on the back wall is at the exact same place as a non-modded seat. Where I have concern is that the guys that use spacers to raise the whole seat. The hoop/hook location is now further down the opening and in a weaker spot. The hook metal is pretty sturdy though and don't even think that is concern.

PoMansRam said:
The only hiccup I've run into after trimming back the metal seat-back hooks is, if you're not careful when putting the seat back and re-latching, you can catch the plastic anti-rattle clip (the white nylon looking material) against the D-rings on the cab back which bends the plastic out of place and prevents the seat back from latching properly.

I'm sure there's a work around. I'm thinking about filing the corners more round on the plastic and metal edges that remain.

About 30min ago, I replaced the anti rattle plastic with new ones because they were both busted. One was broken when I removed the seat to replace a seatbelt that a pup had chewed up. I remember the "ramp" on the stock plastic and did some smoothing

WY-Dave · Sep 16, 2020

shadowhawk said:
I can't see a reason not to do it once you get past the safety consideration. As long as you don't cut too far up the metal brace you still maintain the locking seat back. It's nice to stick blankets, coats, firearms, etc behind the seat and have pretty quick access to it all.

Did someone say firearms? haha

Not mine

shadowhawk · Sep 17, 2020

WY-Dave said:
Did someone say firearms? haha

Not mine

View attachment 221686

That's one idea, and I like it, but not the cutting of the interior molded stuff.

WY-Dave · Sep 17, 2020

shadowhawk said:
That's one idea, and I like it, but not the cutting of the interior molded stuff.

I'm with you on that, if anything I would cut out just the mounting area for the mounts. I would more than likely use the space to stash the rifle in a soft case. I keep trying to remember to look to see if the tilt mechanism can be pinned/locked so that noone can't get to it easily

rangemaster728 · Oct 19, 2020

On my 2020 Classic Tradesman Quad cab I tried the washers... did not raise it high enough.

Took them out and tried trimming the seat hooks as shown by others. That didn’t work either.

Only by putting the washers in with the hooks trimmed am I able to get it to flip down.

Next time I order parts I might order a couple extra seat hooks and play with the trim links and bevel cuts to get it dialed in just right.

If that works smoothly and reliably then I’ll buy longer bolts to complete the job and have plenty of thread in those holes, but I believe even with the washer mod it’s fine.

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Rado · Oct 19, 2020

WY-Dave said:
In my unprofessional and often f'd up logic, the safety concern is not a factor. At first I was concerned about it, but then I realized that in both "normal" positions is that the hoop to hook location on the back wall is at the exact same place as a non-modded seat. Where I have concern is that the guys that use spacers to raise the whole seat. The hoop/hook location is now further down the opening and in a weaker spot. The hook metal is pretty sturdy though and don't even think that is concern.
View attachment 221682

About 30min ago, I replaced the anti rattle plastic with new ones because they were both busted. One was broken when I removed the seat to replace a seatbelt that a pup had chewed up. I remember the "ramp" on the stock plastic and did some smoothing
View attachment 221685

That makes a lot of sense ! Never though about it that way

I think I will try it ! Thanks

Rado · Oct 19, 2020

rangemaster728 said:
On my 2020 Classic Tradesman Quad cab I tried the washers... did not raise it high enough.

Took them out and tried trimming the seat hooks as shown by others. That didn’t work either.

Only by putting the washers in with the hooks trimmed am I able to get it to flip down.

Next time I order parts I might order a couple extra seat hooks and play with the trim links and bevel cuts to get it dialed in just right.

If that works smoothly and reliably then I’ll buy longer bolts to complete the job and have plenty of thread in those holes, but I believe even with the washer mod it’s fine.

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SO the seat hooks are removable ? Did not know that , That makes me feel better and worry less if I screw up the cuts lol Thanks

MikeDee · Oct 19, 2020

I'm considering this mod but concerned about breaking the bolts on my 2015 1500. It was my Dad's truck and he drove it in Maine winters for 4 years before I got it. Maybe some penetrating oil prior to removing them? Can I see them from under the truck? I'd rather not spray that smelly stuff inside the truck.

rangemaster728 · Oct 19, 2020

Rado said:
SO the seat hooks are removable ? Did not know that , That makes me feel better and worry less if I screw up the cuts lol Thanks

The assumption is they are...based on this:

And this photo...but I will look on my seat tomorrow and try to figure out how they are fastened...

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2019 classic. Folding rear seat mod done.

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