How-To: Swap Bench 2nd row to Captains Chairs with Console

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

I checked ford accessories and the 16-19 console with white stitching is no longer available. The have with red for 425 and black for 550

 

[BradLucky]

@bguild I have to thank you for your amazing write-up! You gave me the confidence to purchase a 2021 that just came off lease, even though it had captain's chairs when I needed a bench seat. To your point, I can confirm that swapping captain's chairs for the bench seat does work!

The downside - I just discovered - is that I got the bench from a 2020 XLT, which does not have the powered fold-down feature. In and of itself, I'm not too bothered by that, but, it lacks the wiring harness and control unit that provides power to the rear-folding seats. I did not realize this while I swapped all the seats, and now my 3rd row is stuck in the flat-down position.

So, I'm going to have to get the harnesses reconnected so I can put the 3rd row upright. And then, I need to decide how to proceed. I'll either remove the unit from my captain's chairs, or find what I need from a junkyard for a reasonable price. (I plan to put the captain's chairs back in someday when my kids have grown up enough that I don't need 7 seats.

I did manage to get the seats for only $213, so I can't complain about the cost. And the work only took me a few hours today.

 

[hbalek]

@bguild I have to thank you for your amazing write-up! You gave me the confidence to purchase a 2021 that just came off lease, even though it had captain's chairs when I needed a bench seat. To your point, I can confirm that swapping captain's chairs for the bench seat does work!

The downside - I just discovered - is that I got the bench from a 2020 XLT, which does not have the powered fold-down feature. In and of itself, I'm not too bothered by that, but, it lacks the wiring harness and control unit that provides power to the rear-folding seats. I did not realize this while I swapped all the seats, and now my 3rd row is stuck in the flat-down position.

So, I'm going to have to get the harnesses reconnected so I can put the 3rd row upright. And then, I need to decide how to proceed. I'll either remove the unit from my captain's chairs, or find what I need from a junkyard for a reasonable price. (I plan to put the captain's chairs back in someday when my kids have grown up enough that I don't need 7 seats.

I did manage to get the seats for only $213, so I can't complain about the cost. And the work only took me a few hours today.

Doesn't the XLT seat look different as far as the leather material and contrast stitching compared to the ST's?

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Doesn't the XLT seat look different as far as the leather material and contrast stitching compared to the ST's?

Yes. Very different.

 

[Chamorro85]

Nice write-up! Curious if the original bench had heated seats or not? Did you gain/lose this with the change over? Either way you did a hell of a job.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Nice write-up! Curious if the original bench had heated seats or not? Did you gain/lose this with the change over? Either way you did a hell of a job.

XLT does not have heated seats. ST comes standard with them. You would lose it.

 

[bluesnake01]

XLT does not have heated seats. ST comes standard with them. You would lose it.

I think his question was to OP's original bench seat, which they do come heated if equipped properly. Only the side one's not the middle one.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I think his question was to OP's original bench seat, which they do come heated if equipped properly. Only the side one's not the middle one.

Yes that is why I said STs come standard with them. He had them originally.

 

[bluesnake01]

Yes that is why I said STs come standard with them. He had them originally.

Yes and no, depends on the year, they were standard in 20 but became an option after for 21+

Not sure what year is OP's nor what options he had.

 

[Nabuei]

Question -- on 2022 Ford Explorer, can i purchase a used 2nd row center like this one u had (image attached) and squeeze it in between the 2 existing Captain chairs (with arm rests)?

I don't mind removing the arm rests -- just wanted to know if it's possible?

Thank you.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Confused on what you are asking. Center console or center chair?

 

[cjhesse]

Any suggestions where to find a 763kohm resistor?