Thread: Remove 3rd row seats

The only problem is that the top of the tank is flat and vent is in one corner so if concrete at the petrol station is not level i can fill only 50 around litres of diesel.

Originally Posted by Chris Preso

I took the seats out last weekend. I followed the instructions below from disco3uk website. Once I had worked out what I was doing it took less than 60 mins. I used a Torx bit 45, there are 12 bolts/screws to remove. With my 12 yo son helping remove the seats from the inside of the car, they came out in one piece easily enough. I wouldn't be keen to do it by myself.

Cheers, Chris

I have just taken the third row seats out. Not hard but a bit fiddly.

1) remove the tie down bolts (two on each side)
2) lift the trim covers off. The facer around the seat base locking mechanism is only held on by a couple of plastic clips and pulls off fairly easily.. The carpeted trim is also only held on by some plastic clips and just pulls up. This exposes the seat mounting bolts.
3) Remove the side seat mount bolts. You will need a TORX bit #50.
4) partially lift the rear of the seat to expose the base, lift the plastic covers around the centre mount and remove the four bolts.
5) partially lift the front of the seats, lift the plasic cover around the centre mount and remove the two bolts.
6) Lift the whole unit out. It weighs 50+kg so a second person to help would be helpfull.


It looks like the seats are in two separate sections and are joined by six rivets to make a full unit.
The rivets could easily be drilled out splitting the seats into two and one seat could then be re-installed back into the vehicle.

Which way does the facer around the seat base locking mechanism lift off (upwards or side-ways)? I have tentatively tried to lift it but nothing seems to be moving other than flexing the trim - don't really want to break it. Are there only two clips and are they under the label?
Thanks, Ian

Originally Posted by Chris Preso

I took the seats out last weekend. I followed the instructions below from disco3uk website. Once I had worked out what I was doing it took less than 60 mins.

Just completed this job today. The instructions earlier in this thread are pretty much spot on but thought I'd add a couple of details and photos that may be of assistance to others.
Original instructions in bold and my comments are in italics.

1) Remove the tie down bolts (two on each side).
What the tie-down look like when out.


2a) Lift the trim covers off.
The facer around the seat base locking mechanism is only held on by a couple of plastic clips and pulls off fairly easily.
These pieces have easy-to-break tabs (broken ones circled in red below).


You need to pull up only, as vertical as possible.
I did this on the 2nd one but still broke a tab (left one in photo above).

2b) The carpeted trim is also only held on by some plastic clips and just pulls up. This exposes the seat mounting bolts.
Two photos of the underside of the carpeted trim for reference.






3) Remove the side seat mount bolts. You will need a TORX bit T50.



4) Partially lift the rear of the seat to expose the base, lift the plastic covers around the centre mount and remove the four bolts.
Left photo shows plastic cover closed. Right photo shows cover open to expose bolts.


5) Partially lift the front of the seats, lift the plasic cover around the centre mount and remove the two bolts.


6) Lift the whole unit out. It weighs 50+kg so a second person to help would be helpful.
It is a two-person job for sure. It is difficult to weigh but we estimated closer to 40kg using bathroom scales.


Note the blue tape on the side seat bolting brackets. The brackets are sharp and will scratch the trim on the way out.

Cheers,
Scott

Originally Posted by oldsalt

I removed my third row seats, sold them to another member who needed them, so we are both happy.
I'm happy to be rid of the weight of the seats which I would never need, and I intend to fit a slim water tank in the space left, and then fit a set of drawers and fridge slide above it all, so for me it was a "no brainer" to get rid of them.
The removal was very easy - as long as you have the correct Torx bits - and they are just a bit heavy when finally lifting them out - so be careful !!!
I also removed the seat belts and their fittings - so now the rear looks nice and neat (and weighs a lot less)
cheers

We have removed 2nd row for one journey to Broome and return Perth when we needed extra space for water (flexi bladder) and suitcases as well as all camping gear for 3 weeks as well as the suitcases for boat trip.
Agree with Oldsalt they come out fine with approp. ratchet, flexible wrists and good biceps to finally lift/put back in, oh and that Torx piece for the wrench extension, (assuming 3rd row needs extension, maybe not). Space gained = no damage to flexi water tank plus 2 x suitcases fitted where 2nd seats were. All went back in fine on our return. Goodluck.
Thinking of doing the same for another trip, this time though as per your case, 3rd row, to allow access to spare wheel release nut setup without removing all the rear load space luggage.
Regards, Ian A

Just wanted to add part number details for the trim covers that got broken:

HXT500780PVJ (right hand side)
HXT500790PVJ (left hand side)

$10 each from the dealer spare parts dept.

Scott

Originally Posted by LRD414

2a) Lift the trim covers off.
The facer around the seat base locking mechanism is only held on by a couple of plastic clips and pulls off fairly easily.
These pieces have easy-to-break tabs (broken ones circled in red below).


You need to pull up only, as vertical as possible.
I did this on the 2nd one but still broke a tab (left one in photo above).

Hi Dalil
Just read your post on your in vehicle fuel tank. Looks great.
Would you have the dimensions for your tank and approx cost to fabricate.
Have you put a false floor over the tank.
regards
Peter

Originally Posted by garrycol

Can I ask why you want to remove the 3rdb row seats - when folded down they are completely flat and the floor load space behind the second row is completely flat.

However I understand that if they are removed the loadspace is no longer flat but you can store stuff in the spot.

Garry

You actually get a huge amount of space. We have the following where the seats used to be; hi-lift jack base plate, second wooden jack plate, large sidchrome toolkit, snatch strap, 30m of plasma rope, torque wrench, wheel changing wrench, axe(long handle), two puncture repair kits, tarp, tree trunk protector, cable damper, rubber mallet and two safety vests and a drag chain. All easy to access via our custom built sliding tray which holds; the fridge, tool kit, compressor, porta-potti, 36 bottles of wine and our winter clothing given we are currently in the Kimberley and returning to Adelaide late September when it will still be a touch cold

Rob