Jeep Cherokee seat modification - Possible? Legal?

Sweet Melissa · 10-02-2007, 03:53 PM

Our expanding family is beginning to outgrow our 2000 Cherokee, and we've been considering going the minivan route. But, we really like the Jeep, and best of all, we owe nothing on it.

So, my question for the Jeep gurus is, could we somehow modify the back seat so that there is both a forward facing rear seat, and another bench seat facing toward the rear window? I have seen this in much older station wagons, as well as some more recent Volvo models.

If that is even possible, would it meet safety standards for car seats or booster seats? Obviously, more seatbelts would have to be installed.

OK Deal Let\'s Fish · 10-02-2007, 04:04 PM

I think you will have problems getting anybody to install more seats for year because of liability issues.

A van conversion company might be your only hope and still it is probably not safe.

Don Becker · 10-02-2007, 06:12 PM

'Couple of random thoughts:

'most anything can be done . . .
safety belt's w/reverse seat . . .
emergency escape - - legality - - modification of rear door
legroom, unless it's for say pre-teens
'ever ridden backwards in a car - - I wasn't real fond of it
Bernie (CATCH AND EAT) may have some input for you re ways to do it - - you might PM him to alert him to this thread
Safety of fiberglass rear door versus a rearender

Don

Chrome Bumper · 10-02-2007, 06:52 PM

Factor of safety is 10 to 1 that's what Detroit uses. Assume a 200# passenger the seat should be able to withstand one ton of loading.

Does the location protect the passenger from rollover.

The van conversion place in Lake oswego has the hardware. Your local wrecking yard should have the seats.

Brasher's auto auction has some government surplus vehicles coming up on the block....

HammondSeaRanger · 10-02-2007, 08:09 PM

chrylser will negate any and all warrenty / liability if you add or remove seats.

we ran into this problem when we tried to mount lap tops in our jeep cherokee patrol rigs. the above was relaid to me from chrylser HQ.

Joe Schwab · 10-02-2007, 08:38 PM

I tried to get the Chev. dealer to move the seat back two inches. they said sorry, no can do. Liability looms it's ugly head again!

Sweet Melissa · 10-02-2007, 08:54 PM

I'm thinking that even if it is possible, modification would probably cost us as much in the long run as buying a used vehicle with 3 rows of seating. Not to mention the liability issue that's been brought up.

I think I was in jr. high or high school when seatbelts and car seats started becoming mandatory. My friend's dad had a great big 70's van that he took all the seats out of, except the two big captain's chairs in front. We rode on bean bag chairs in the back. :smile:

It was fun for us, but I sure wouldn't have wanted to be an EMT back then, getting called out to a wreck with a bunch of little kids who weren't buckled into their seats.