The second row in my 1995 LS does not split. I love my MT but I would like the second row to split for the flexibility (as a car seat is buckled into one side).
Can I simply find and bolt in the second row from a >1996?
I have never seen the split seats in person so I am not sure how the middles bolt to the floor.
Has anyone done this?
Thanks much

I have done it. You'll want the big "smuggler's cubby" piece under foot from the 96+, as it has captive bolts for the center front mounts. Also the hoop in the middle back where the center edges of each seat clamps in. Keep all the bolts too, just in case.

The center hoop piece bolts to captive nuts underneath on the 96+. I marked carefully where it needed to go on my 95, then drilled two slightly oversized holes to allow for tweaking. Underneath I used a pair of thick stacked washers for each. One larger at something like 2-1/2" and then another smaller that was tight to the bolt's diameter. All hardware was grade 8.

One thing to know is that there are two cables in each seat that work the release for the tumble and fold. One of my donor seats had a broken one, as did my wife's 98. These cables are no longer available. They cwould cost $35/ea if you could get one. I picked up another pair seats just so I could strip the cables out.

You loose the center armrest of course. But that was a fair price for the trade in split tumble and fold, and for separate recline for the kids. Plus, the now can no longer fight over the center rest. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Help me out here. I'm a long time stalker but a bit of a Newbie.
What is a "smuggler's cubby"? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Where the jack hides?
I have not procured the seats as I did not know if this would work. What do I need to ask the donor car's owner for specifically? He already removed the seats from the truck. I'm pretty sure he won't know what I am talking about either as I can't explain it.
Can you tell me what ALL to ask for in layman's terms?
Thanks.
I'm pretty excited that this might work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Saw your PM before the post here. Here's the reply for anyone who is following...

Right, where the jack is. We have come to refer to them as smuggler's cubbies. The whole front edge to them, both doors, etc., is one big piece under the carpet. You want that piece, and ideally the nuts for the studs that the seat bolts to. You could do it without this, I'd say, but it would be a lot more work to get everything to line up.

Take a look at your seat now. It hinges on the front and locks down to two hoops rearward that are at the outside edges. For the split seats, there is a similar hoop in the middle that they share. You need that from the donor too.

Is this person parting out a truck then? Is it an SR? Go for the rear axle if it is.

Don't forget to document it too, I would love to do this also when I find a seat. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Naturally he did not seem to understand what I was asking for although I surprisingly explained it fairly well. I think I might have scared him as I have not heard back from him. He is supposed to be looking into if he still has all the bolts and mounts.
SIGH...

As mentioned, I think it will be much easier to have the cubby cover with the mounting stds for the seats. You could get around that if needed I'm sure. The show stopper will be center hoop in the floor. The outer loops are the same for the bench as for the splits.

I pulled the second set from a yard nearby and didn't need its center hoop. The car was pretty picked at that point, as was a C4C I think. Might be gone now. If your guy can't find his, let me know. For that matter, I could grab the cubby cover. I would guess FedEx ground to be ~$20-ish.

Just called them and they show it still there...

Thanks! I feel better having a Plan B for getting these bolted in securely.

I am [FINALLY] going to pick up the seats tomorrow. It is a 5 hour trip each way. Owner says he has "all the bolts, plastic covers and thick metal brackets that hold the seats to the truck". I am not sure if those brackets are the hoops in question. He removed the seats 10+ years ago so he is no longer familiar with the original set up. Also the cubby sounds to be trapped under a plank of wood with a LARGE set of work tools and the like on top of it. So I assume the hoops are out of the truck as the plank would not lay flat, right? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

He is trying to be helpful and answer my questions but I think I am just confusing him. I just want to make sure I am getting everything I need within reason to make this swap work.

Alright. Got the seats [Check].
Just scrubbed them clean.


They came with a bag of bolts and the plastic bracket covers. No sign of the "thick metal brackets" other that the ones attached to the seat. Sigh!! No sign of the 'hoops'.
I did not pick the seats up myself so not a whole lot of room to complain. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

This is MY truck.
The outside brackets of the donor seats seems the same as mine.


But as expected I don't have anything in the middle. His truck was loaded to the gills so no chance to get the hoops or the cubby.

Oh well I guess I am half way there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

If the yard is open tomorrow, it isn't far. I am working on a much needed exhaust for the SWB. If I get it finished early enough tomorrow, and the yard is open, I'll take it for a spin and get the center hoop.