4th Gen Crew Cab Seats in a 3rd Gen Quad Cab

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xtremewlr

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I bought some 2012 Limited Edition, full leather, full power (driver and passenger), heated and cooled, crew cab seats to replace the stock cloth seats in my 2004 QC. This thread will detail my installation and hopefully help anyone out looking to do something similar.

The front seats are a direct bolt in with some work on the wiring to get the power, seat heater and the cooling to work.

Rear seats require some addition modifications to work since the seats I bought were from a Crew Cab.

I didn't get the console show in the pic here, I don't want to try and install that in my truck, I want to retain a jump seat. I found a new jump seat with cup holders on ebay from a 2014.

All seats, including the jump seat if you go that route, are the same from 2009 to 2017 from what I have found. There might be some wiring differences between the years but they otherwise are interchangable. 4th gen front seats are a direct swap into the 3rd Gen (except wiring).

2012-Leather-Seats-X2.jpg

2012-Rear-Leather-Seats-X2.jpg

2014-Jump-Seat-X2.jpg
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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Rear Seat Installation

As I said before, the seats I got were from a crew cab. The CC rear seat brackets, where they mount to the floor, don't fit in a QC. Some people have cut about 2" off the back part of the mounting brackets and then drill new mounting holes for the rear bolt. If you have a QC and want to try and resell your old clotch seats, this might be the better option as it leaves your original rear seats fully intact. I wanted to keep the QC brackets because the fit was guaranteed, I didn't run the chance of cutting off too much and it also looks like at least one of the CC brackets was bent, probably from shipping. Here's a comparison shot of the CC and QC rear seat brackets, showing the longer floor mount on the CC ones.

20180216_134834-X2.jpg

I took the rear seats apart to swap the brackets. I started by taking off the seat back from each seat. Keep all the bolts from the new seat, the bolts from the original cloth seat are smaller and won't work. To remove the seat cushion (bottom), you have to peel the seat cover back to expose a hidden bolt on each side holding the mounting bracket in place.

20180216_212649-X2.jpg

20180216_213950-X2.jpg

20180216_213945-X2.jpg

20180216_214239-X2.jpg

The 3rd gen brackets still require a little modification to work. You need to enlarge the mounting holes for the seat cushion to 1/2" and elongate one of them. That's for each bracket. Once you do that, there is also a plastic sleeve/spacer that needs to be swapped over from the CC brackets to the QC brackets to mount the seat back. Easily done with a small screwdriver.

This is the spacer off the 4G seat for the seat back.

20180216_212655-X2.jpg

20180216_212850-X2.jpg

This is the plastic bushing for the seat back on the 3G seats. Remove this and replace with the 4G spacer.

20180216_214834-X2.jpg

20180216_214958-X2.jpg

4G spacer installed in the 3G QC bracket for the seat back.

20180216_215140-X2.jpg

Picture is a little blury but these are the 2 holes that need to be enlarged to 1/2". I used a stepped bit for this. The forward most hole (farthest left in pic) gets enlarged and the oval shaped hole (farthest right) needs enlarged and elongated to the left. You can see the mounting hole that you need to be able to get a bolt into.

20180216_220114-X2.jpg

That's all I have for right now. It's still a work in progress, so more to come.
 

bigred74

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How much you get the seats for?
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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How much you get the seats for?

$2400 shipped. They are 2012 Laramie Limited, heated and cooled, full power for both front and heated rears. They are in excellent condition too. Well worth the money IMO.
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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Rear seat install - Part 2

I've finished the install of the rear seat for now. Still need to modify the seat back catch for the cab wall so the seat back sit back another inch or so.

Here is the modified seat brackets with the enlarged and elongated holes.

20180217_085131-X2.jpg

20180217_091154-X2.jpg

And the finished install of the 3rd gen QC rear seat brackets on the 40 side.

20180217_092146-X2.jpg

From here, the rear seat bolt straight in. The only remaining thing you have to do is move the mounting hooks bolted to the rear cab wall and cut a little of the liner away to make room for the hooks and latches on the seats. Here's what I did, moving all but one of the hooks over one bolt hole and then using 1 1/4"x1" self tapping sheet metal screw to secure the loose side. Plenty of room between the inner cab wall and outter.

20180217_142415-X2.jpg

These are the 2 center hooks.

20180217_142438-X2.jpg

This is the driver side farthest left hook.

20180217_143207-X2.jpg

The passenger side farthest left hook doesn't need moved, you just need to trim the board a little.

20180217_143607-X2.jpg

Passenger side 60 installed with the original clotch 40. You can clearly see how the 4G seat back doesn't lean back as far. I still need to decide how to modify that without destroying anything.

20180216_150958-X2.jpg

Both sides installed, with the cargo shelf in place as well. Rear seat mod becomes part of the install without even trying. Seat cushions don't fold up as far because the seat backs are still sitting too far forward and will be addressed when I fix the seat backs.

20180217_095804-X2.jpg

20180217_095804-X2.jpg

20180217_095838-X2.jpg

20180217_095903-X2.jpg

The only other thing I want to do is run wiring and install switches for the rear seat heaters.

Front seats next...
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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Front seat install

Nothing fancy here. The 2012 seats are a direct bolt in replacement. I do need to order up some brackets so I can install the new jump seat. That did require some modification, only because the new one I got didn't have the under seat storage compartment and I wanted to retain that. The seat bottom is a direct swap from the 3G one to the 4G one. Wiring is of course different, just as it is for both front seats.

I only have power for the driver seat right now, haven't run the power over to the passenger side yet. Both seat belt latches have to be swapped over from the 3G seats as the 4G ones have a smaller buckle. The seat belt warning plug from the 3G plugs right in to the 4G harness but I still have to figure out the rest of the wiring so the light on the dash goes off. Wiring details will come in a later post.

You have to remove the 3G center jump seat first to get the driver & passenger seats out of the truck. With that done, both seats drop right in. I did have to do a little prying on the front right mount of the drive seat to get the bolt holes lined up but not a big deal there. The 4G feet are larger than the 3G ones, which actually looks a lot better and covers up any crap that didn't clean out very well.

Here's the passenger side installed with the original driver side still in place.

20180217_111453-X2.jpg

Difference in the size of the feet on the rear. Original driver side first.

20180217_111648-X2.jpg

And the larger feet from the 4G passenger side.

20180217_111643-X2.jpg

Driver side seat removed. Great time to really get in there and clean stuff you couldn't reach before.

20180217_114412-X2.jpg

3G plud for the power seat from the floor, showing the large OR/RD and BLK wires that provide power for the seat.

20180217_115839-X2.jpg

The 4G plug from the new driver seat with the power wires (OR/RD and BLK/WT) removed from the plug.

20180217_115829-X2.jpg

They fit right into the 3G harness, just needed to tape them up so they wouldn't short out against each other and would stay in place. I'll install new plugs when I figure out the rest of the wiring.

20180217_120137-X2.jpg

The power allows the front/rear, up/down, seat back and lumbar to all work with no ther mods.

Both front seats installed.

20180217_122232-X2.jpg

Love the Laramie seat pocket flaps!

20180217_122241-X2.jpg

Center jump seat mocked up, not bolted down yet.

20180217_131205-X2.jpg

20180217_131229-X2.jpg

4G jump seat mod next...
 

chrisp2493

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That looks amazing! You are really making me jealous...I’d even be happy with the two front seats

So how is the comfort difference between the new and old?
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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That looks amazing! You are really making me jealous...I’d even be happy with the two front seats

So how is the comfort difference between the new and old?

Haven't driven it yet since installing but just sitting, they feel much better. The side bolsters on the seat backs are way better than the 3G seats.
 

chrisp2493

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Haven't driven it yet since installing but just sitting, they feel much better. The side bolsters on the seat backs are way better than the 3G seats.

Yeah in the 3rd gen seats you almost feel lost in the middle of the seat. I bet the bolsters really help
 

ramportin1

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Awesome write up brotha! They look so damn good and even makes the interior look like a whole new truck, really jealous of this lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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Awesome write up brotha! They look so damn good and even makes the interior look like a whole new truck, really jealous of this lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

thanks. More write up coming. Just need a break.
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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4G jump seat upper with 3G lower storage seat

The 4G jump seat that I bought didn't have the underseat storage that my 3G jump seat did. I wanted to keep that so swapped the console/seat back from the 4G and onto the 3G lower. The 4G jusp seat also had a broken plastic hinge cover on one side while my originals were in good condition. Dodge didn't really change the design of these at all so the lowers are all the same, at least for 2003-2014. That means the uppers will swap easily. So if you want a 4G upper that has built-in cup holders in your 3G truck with the stock interior, you can do it.

Here's the 2014 jump seat I got off ebay.

2014-Jump-Seat-X2.jpg

20180217_123140-X2.jpg

And some comparison pictures of the plastic hinge covers.

20180217_122400-X2.jpg

20180217_122433-X2.jpg

All you need to do is flip the jump seat over and unhook the seat cover from the frame to expose the bolts that hold the lower portion on.

Sorry, not the best pic but you get the idea.

20180217_123135-X2.jpg

2 bolts on each side. The 2014 had a reinforcement bracket bolts on the inside of the hinge that I removed as the 3G storage lower was larger in that area and couldn't utilize the brackets.

20180217_123129-X2.jpg

The swap is straight forward, just do the same thing on each seat. Be careful of the plastic hinge covers as they can be fragile and break easily.

Here is the completed swap.

20180217_130753-X2.jpg

20180217_130800-X2.jpg

And here is the seat just sitting in place. Only mocked it up since I need new brackets, detailed below.

20180217_131229-X2.jpg

20180217_131205-X2.jpg

I wasn't able to install it yet since the 4G seats don;t have the required brackets built into the seat frame like the 3G seats do. I had to order the mounting brackets. Part numbers for the 4 brackets are listed below. 2 of them bolt to the passenger seat. The other 2 would bolt to the floor in a 4G but the 3G doesn't have the holes for this. I might try and figure something out for that at some point but from what I have read from other people doing a similar swap, the console is very secure without bolting the feet down.

Mopar part #s for the jump seat brackets, 1 ea. Runs about $55 with shipping, depending on where you get them:

68050608AA
68050607AA
68050606AA
68050605AA
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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It'll be a few weeks before I can work on the wiring but I will post details when I have them.
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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xtremwlr said:
Mopar part #s for the jump seat brackets, 1 ea. Runs about $55 with shipping, depending on where you get them:

68050608AA
68050607AA
68050606AA
68050605AA

I should have the brackets in hand sometime Saturday and will try to get the jump seat installed. FedEx usually delivers to me before noon.
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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While I'm waiting for the jump seat brackets to arrive and figuring out recovering it (looks like I'm going with leatherseats.com, been emailing with them about just covering the jump seat), I took some time yesterday and installed the switches for the front seat heaters and cooling fans. They aren't wired in just yet and I only eyeballed where to drill so they are slightly off, but they look decent enough and will work where they sit. I can always replace the center dash trim and do it right if I really want to.

20180219_180647-X2.jpg

20180219_181131-X2.jpg

I have some ideas for the rear seats, which are also heated. I'm thinking of installing the switches for those into the door jamb plastic where the front seatbelts ride. Need to verify that there is enough space behind them first.
 
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xtremewlr

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Rear Seat Install, part3 - Seat back Fix

So I figured out the fix for the rear seat backs sitting too far forward. It's an easy fix, just required removing the plastic guides and then cutting off some material so the seat backs lean all the way back as they should. They still hook onto the retention hooks and it retains the fold down mod as well.

This is the unmodified seat back bracket, with the white plastic anit-rattle thing on it. You have to remove that, which will most likely break it in the process. No big deal since they aren't reused.

20180223_144440-X2.jpg

And this is how it looks after it's been cut. Basically, you cut the original tang off the top and then cut a chunk off the bottom, into the lower (rear most) hole for the plastic sheath thing that was there before. Make sure you mark the end of the tang by that lower hole so you aren't cutting off too much.

20180223_144434-X2.jpg

I did all the cutting with the seats still in the truck so it was easier to check my work for good fit. I draped a cheap, Harbor Freight fiberglass welding cloth over the seats to protect them and keep the debris to a minimum. I used the vide grips to help hold the seat cushion out of the way and a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel to make the cuts.

20180223_150241-X2.jpg

Here you can see that the modified catch still works and hooks onto the catch bolted to the cab wall. You can "adjust" that catch up or down using a hammer. I had to adjust mine down just slightly.

20180223_144405-X2.jpg

Here's the difference after doing the passenger side. You can see that the seat back is almost a full inch further back now and sitting where it should.

20180223_144902-X2.jpg

20180223_145043-X2.jpg

And the end results. Doesn't look different than before but the rear seats are much more comfortable to sit in again. The seat backs don;t move either and won't rattle.

20180223_151243-X2.jpg

20180223_151455-X2.jpg
 
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xtremewlr

xtremewlr

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4G Jump Seat Install

I received the brackets so I could install the 4G jump seat into the truck finally. Of course, I didn't take a pic before installing them... Anyhow, the install is straight forward. You have to unbolt the front passenger seat completely and then slide if forward a little and tilt it back to lean up against the rear seat. Then you can install the jump seat mounting brackets onto that. There is a front and rear one but they use different size studs so you can't put them into the worng position. You do have to find nuts for them though. I was able to reuse 2 of the nuts that held down the 3G jump seat (there are 4 of them at the rear mounts with the stock seats and 2 more at the front) and then I had the left over nuts from the additional brackets that I had to remove when I swapped the 3G lower portion with the extra storage compartment that fit the front bracket studs perfectly.

20180224_151328-X2.jpg

20180224_152006-X2.jpg

20180224_153420-X2.jpg

With the passenger seat brackets installed (go ahead and tighten them down), reinstall the front passenger seat. Before installing the jump seat, you need to flatten 2 tangs on the left side brackets so they will sit flush with the bottom of the jump seat. I just beat them flat with a hammer on the anvil part of my vice. The foot goes on the left front and the box shaped bracket goes left rear. Put the nuts on the studs but don't tighten them down until after you place the jump seat into the truck.

Drop the jump seat into place from the front passenger side, lining up the studs with the holes on the front passenger seat brackets. Put the nuts onto the studs and tight them down. You can use a 13mm socket and ratchet on the rear but you need to use a 13mm wrench on the front. Now move over to the driver side and you can rotate the front and rear feet into the position you want and tighten the nuts down finally. There are no bolt holes for the feet to bolt to the 3G floor pan but the jump seat sits very secure when you are done. I might drill a couple holes later and install well nuts to really lock it down but it's not high on my list.

Passenger side mounted.

20180224_160705-X2.jpg

Driver side front foot. I rotated it in towards the center so it doesn't stick out as much.

20180224_160658-X2.jpg

Driver side reat box shaped foot. I rotated this one forward as far as it would go, again, so it wouldn't stick out as much.

20180224_164037-X2.jpg

And lastly, the completed install, minus the new cover for the jump seat and all the wiring which I will do at a later date and update the thread again.

20180224_160650-X2.jpg

20180224_164046-X2.jpg

You do loose a little storage space in the upper console but it isn't too bad. The trade off is gaining the 3 cup holders built into the front. Worth it and the updated looks IMO.

20180224_160746-X2.jpg

Still have the under seat storage compartment too.

20180224_160717-X2.jpg

And the seat itself. I haven't installed the seat belt for the jump seat yet, need to check that out still.

20180224_160729-X2.jpg
 
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xtremewlr

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Played with the wires on the driver seat and the jump seat some yesterday. I have a trip out to the track (motorcycles, road course) next weekend and needed to have the 12v accessory port in the jump seat console working to power the air pump for my air mattress. I was able to determine that there are 2 12v constant wires coming out of the truck side plug, 2 grounds and the seat belt warning light wire. I only had a power drivers seat originally with 12v accessory plug in the center console.

So I have the accessory port working and my seat belt light now turns off with the seat belt on. I need to order some new connectors so I can replace the factory connectors on the truck and seat sides and run power over to the passenger seat still. I'll have to make a jumper loom to pass power to the passenger side to keep it a similar design as the factory and make future removal of the jump seat easier. Since I have an aftermarket radio with USB data input, I think I might be able to get at least the USB data port in the console working as well, just need a new USB jumper wire for that.

I'll have pics later when I get the new connectors and start working on the heating cooling as well. I also am going to add power going to the rear seats for heating and a 12v accessory/dual USB charging port. I'll put those either in the center under the seats or add a pair to both driver passenger side rear seats. Carpet has to come out for all that and I'll be adding sound deadening when I do that as well, so it might be a while still. We have a 4 month break from track weekends starting after the May track weekend so it might have to wait until then.
 

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4G jump seat upper with 3G lower storage seat

The 4G jump seat that I bought didn't have the underseat storage that my 3G jump seat did. I wanted to keep that so swapped the console/seat back from the 4G and onto the 3G lower. The 4G jusp seat also had a broken plastic hinge cover on one side while my originals were in good condition. Dodge didn't really change the design of these at all so the lowers are all the same, at least for 2003-2014. That means the uppers will swap easily. So if you want a 4G upper that has built-in cup holders in your 3G truck with the stock interior, you can do it.

Here's the 2014 jump seat I got off ebay.

2014-Jump-Seat-X2.jpg

20180217_123140-X2.jpg

And some comparison pictures of the plastic hinge covers.

20180217_122400-X2.jpg

20180217_122433-X2.jpg

All you need to do is flip the jump seat over and unhook the seat cover from the frame to expose the bolts that hold the lower portion on.

Sorry, not the best pic but you get the idea.

20180217_123135-X2.jpg

2 bolts on each side. The 2014 had a reinforcement bracket bolts on the inside of the hinge that I removed as the 3G storage lower was larger in that area and couldn't utilize the brackets.

20180217_123129-X2.jpg

The swap is straight forward, just do the same thing on each seat. Be careful of the plastic hinge covers as they can be fragile and break easily.

Here is the completed swap.

20180217_130753-X2.jpg

20180217_130800-X2.jpg

And here is the seat just sitting in place. Only mocked it up since I need new brackets, detailed below.

20180217_131229-X2.jpg

20180217_131205-X2.jpg

I wasn't able to install it yet since the 4G seats don;t have the required brackets built into the seat frame like the 3G seats do. I had to order the mounting brackets. Part numbers for the 4 brackets are listed below. 2 of them bolt to the passenger seat. The other 2 would bolt to the floor in a 4G but the 3G doesn't have the holes for this. I might try and figure something out for that at some point but from what I have read from other people doing a similar swap, the console is very secure without bolting the feet down.

Mopar part #s for the jump seat brackets, 1 ea. Runs about $55 with shipping, depending on where you get them:

68050608AA
68050607AA
68050606AA
68050605AA

I’m going to have to do this because I need my jump seat I have a baby to carry around lol


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