'05 Ext. Cab rear seat back...is there a mod to make it flip down like my '96 did?

['96 Z-71]

Wondering if there's a mod to make the rear seat back to flip down. My '96 did it but these newer truck don't.

[Atomic]

Yep

If you notice, when you raise the bottom part of the seat up the back part rises a few inches. So you could trim the little metal clips that hold it to the back wall so that they come up and over the bar holding them in place when you fold the bottom part of the seat up.

[MindlessDeviant]

First remove the seat, 5 nuts lift and remove!

Once the seat is out there is a Y cable hanging off the under side of the back seat, it is secured to the seat by 2 bolts, remove the bolts and remove the Y cable seat lock down.

Locate the two tabs on the back rest part of the seat, (the part you want to fold down) take a hacksaw, cutoff wheel, sawzall, butter knife which ever you prefer and take approx 1.5" off the tabs.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/652000-652999/652077_73_full.jpg
The 1.5 is if the seat is in the stock position if you have lifted the seat any you will need to subtract that amount off of my measurements.

Once this is completed you can reinstall the seat with 4 bolts, (2 on each end)....

now when you fold the seat into the upright position, the tabs should unhook themselves and you can pull the whole thing forward. To reconnect the back of the seat. fold the whole assembly up, hold the backrest to the back wall and lower the seat bottom. the tabs will slide back in and hold the seat steady for people to sit on..

WARNING. Do not let people sit on the seat if the rear tabs are not secured, it will break or bend the seat!

[djracer]

I did this mod on an 03 and the tabs looked a little different. I wouldn't cut off but maybe an inch tops.

['96 Z-71]

Thanks guys.

[djracer]

I added pics to the this post http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/general-discussion/audio-video-electronics/299843-cutting-cab-nbs.html
this should be more like yours looks since its an 03!

['96 Z-71]

I added pics to the this post http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/general-discussion/audio-video-electronics/299843-cutting-cab-nbs.html
this should be more like yours looks since its an 03!

Thank you. :rocking:

[MindlessDeviant]

Yeah my 05 had slightly diff tabs and I took about 1.25" off mine and it works like a charm

['96 Z-71]

Ok, I'll probably got 1.25" then. Thanks again.:cool:

[djracer]

I didn't take anywhere near that much off. compare your to these!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/djracer/P1010179.jpg

I would think you would want to keep as much as possible to keep the seat in place when up!

['96 Z-71]

I'll start smaller then...I can always cut more off.

['96 Z-71]

Alright guys...I did this today and it's not working like I expected. Is it only going to fold forward about 25*?...cause that's about all mine does. If that's not right what am I missing? I unbolted that Y-cable too.

[oldred95]

Your 96 rear seat would fold down flat huh. As far as I knew on mine the seat bottom was all that would fold up. Maybe a 95's different since it doesn't have the 3rd door but I'm gonna go read my book this afternoon and see if the seat back does fold down. That would be slick if it does. Don't know why I'd ever need it to but hey if it does it I might as well know about it.

['96 Z-71]

Yeah, I keep some stuff back there...at least I used to. I have an atlas map and it's almost impossible to get out without messing it up bad.

['96 Z-71]

I'm looking to get mine to fold down like djracer got his to in a truck he worked on...
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/djracer/P1010180.jpg

[ibthumpin]

That first pic of the seat clip looks different because its got an extension bolted to it. That is a pic I took and it somehow ended up on cardomain apparently.
The extensions are nessary for those who dont want the seatback to fold down after they install my seatlift blocks.

AFAIK, the seatbacks have not changed since '00 - the clips are all the same. To get the seatback to detach from the back wall you shorten the seatclips 1.5". Certainly dosent hurt to cutoff a bit less at first if you have doubts.

96Z71 - the seatback will not lay completly flat, the hinges and the angle of the seatbottom limit it. It should however, lay ontop of the seatbottom.

The first poster made it sound like the seatclips were a structural part of the seat's integrity. Not really true, thier only function is to keep the seatback from falling forward. The seatbottom supports all the wieght of passengers.

['96 Z-71]

Ok, well I got it to come off of the wall clips but it only comes forward about 8". It will not fold down to the bottom seat. What am I missing?

Maybe I should have raised the seat 1.5"...suppose that would done the same as cutting the 1.5" off of the tabs?

[TurboJugend]

your seat WILL NOT do that afaik. i had my seats out when i had my subs in. and those mounting clips on the back are there to hold the seat up. if you take them out theres nothing holding the backrest to the wall.
not to mention if you get in an accident and someone is sitting in the backseat, there is nothing to hold it in there and serious injury can occur. If i were you i wouldn't continue any further

[Atomic]

You have to pull the little tabs at the bottom of the seat like your raising the bottom. Pull the tab, push the bottom up, then fold them down together.

['96 Z-71]

I tried that man, not working. I've messed with it for about 10 minutes and I don't want to end up breaking it. Anyone else have any ideas? Thanks for the replies.

[ibthumpin]

I tried that man, not working. I've messed with it for about 10 minutes and I don't want to end up breaking it. Anyone else have any ideas? Thanks for the replies.

Yes, lifting the seat or cutting the tabs would accomplish the same thing. I dont know why your seat isnt folding forward enough. Once the seatback unhooks from the backwall, down it should come. I've built blocks for many with '05s and no one has mentioned having a problem with the seatback like you are.

the newer trucks have that extra cable attached to the seat somewhere - have you left this cable off (maybe its limiting travel?)

['96 Z-71]

Yeah, besides the Y cable..there is one on the driver's side in the corner...it shouldn't limit it because of the way it's hooked but I did take it off anyways. :think: I just messed with it for another 5 minutes and i don't see any reason why it shouldn't come down. Maybe my seat is jacked up somehow.

['96 Z-71]

Also, when I go to fold the whole thing down ( the backrest and the bottom) the backrest will stop about 8-10" away from the wall and if I don't hold it the seat bottom will go all the way down and the backrest will stay.

It doesn't even fold this far-
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/6518/folddownseat1ug7.jpg


This is getting frustrating. :teddy:

[Atomic]

it looks like your rear driver side head rest is hitting the back of the drivers seat...

['96 Z-71]

it looks like your rear driver side head rest is hitting the back of the drivers seat...


That's not my truck...that was a reference picture..I wrote above it "It doesn't even fold this far".

C'mon man...I'm not that dumb! :crazy:

[ibthumpin]

I'm at a loss, dont have any more suggestions. sorry

[Atomic]

Ah, well, if its not something big it has to be something simple, right?

I dont know either...just keep trying to fold it down and try to find where its catching...

[djracer]

I wish you were closer but that would be one helluva road trip!

['96 Z-71]

Oh well, thanks for the suggestions guys...I'll probably figure it out someday. Thanks for hangin' in there with me.:bowtie:

[donbawls]

What a waste! Sorry, this thread hurts.