Proper flip and fold rear seat conversion

[goathearder]

So as well all know the older K5s had fixed rear seats so that was one of the first things I ditched when I got mine and replaced it with a flip and fold from a later blazer. The front holes just need to be elongated a bit and fit fine but the rear was a different story since there were no latches for it to sit into.

To get something up and running quickly, I created a mount with a bar for the seat to latch to and it worked great but sat about 3 inches above the floor and killed my flat floor whenever the seat was folded or out. I have been wanting to do it the right way for a while so I found a guy parting out a late model and had him cut out the factory latches for me. Thanks Alpha1victor!

Anyway, this weekend I got around to installing them so I thought I would post some pictures. I am MUCH happier now with a folding seat and a flat floor. You can see what I started with and where I ended up.

 

[76k5grrl]

Love this. I was wanting to take the rear seat out of the k5 for a couple reasons but wanted to be able to put it back in easily if wanted... I was busy trying to figure some kind of quick release crap and never thought of this.. :thumbup:

 

[snowbound98]

Looks factory. Awesome job. That blazer seat came with that release bracket on it? And you just opened up the holes for the front hinge brackets? Man that's awesome. Is there arm rests on that seat? I know which direction I'm headed in now thanks.

 

[goathearder]

Yep, that seat is pretty much exactly how I bought it, arm rests and all except for elongating the front holes. Its an awesome upgrade.

 

[76k5grrl]

What does it look like in front when its folded up?

 

[goathearder]

It pretty much sits 6 inches from the back of my front seats so there is little wasted space.

The seat actually came with a strut on the right side of it to hold it up but I didn't bother mounting that, I just use a strap to tie it in place but there is usually stuff in the back holding it up anyway.

 

[Blue85]

Great mod - looks good. If you grab some of the 80's side seat belt holders, they stay stiff against the wheel wells when the seat is out. There's no fishing a belt through the seat and the whole floor is still open.

The only downside is that new passengers are always confused by the backwards gender of the seat belts. When you tell them to pull the section from the middle of the seat they think you're dumb and instead they strain to pull the solid side strap out because it has the male end on it.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

The only downside is that new passengers are always confused by the backwards gender of the seat belts.

Just made me think of those sayings; 'you know you own a K5 when..."

You did a great job with the seat. Reminds me when I fabricated some mounts to put a 2000 something suburban rear bench in so it mounted and caught in the floor bar things (had a 86). I needed 3pt seat belts for the kids.

Sorta unrelated, but how do you like that vinyl mat floor covering? Looks real nice.

 

[KansasTwister]

I thought I read on here somewhere that someone made a quick disconnect on the rear seat. Anyone have a link or pics? im about to start searching now.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Good work, but he said 30 seconds or less. I can unscrew the two bolts in that ammount of time. But no tools required for his.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2948329

Some fabrication to the front mounts (if you have a flip up bench) wouldn't be hard. But unbolting two bolts doesn't take long, just put some antisieze on them for future use

 

[KansasTwister]

Good work, but he said 30 seconds or less. I can unscrew the two bolts in that ammount of time. But no tools required for his.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2948329

Some fabrication to the front mounts (if you have a flip up bench) wouldn't be hard. But unbolting two bolts doesn't take long, just put some antisieze on them for future use

I couldnt find the one I thought I saw. i have the flip n fold rear seat, i just was thinking it would be super easy to pull out if it had a pin in the hinge. Sometimes I like to carry things in the k5 that I should have just hauled home in the truck

 

[goathearder]

Sorta unrelated, but how do you like that vinyl mat floor covering? Looks real nice.

If you mean the shiny stuff on the floor is called FatMat. Way cheaper than dynamat and just as effective. It really cut down on the resonance back there and gives some heat insulation as well. I'd definitely use it again.