2006 Ford E350 third seat Install

[DrButtonPusher]

Hello Sportsmobile Guild,

I have my Ford E350 and the first mod I would like to tackle is adding a third seat into the front so that I may legally have a third passenger in the vehicle for road trips and general driving around. I will be moving to sell my daily vehicle, 08 subaru legacy, to using this van as a daily driver in order to save some money.

I have come across things like this: https://www.ebay.com/bhp/jump-seat

Has anyone done this for their Ford vans? I am looking for ideas. I would ideally like the seat to be flush with the other two captain's chairs so the front could combo as another "bed" for the third passenger on long road trips.

[Mxkutch]

That is the same setup I have in my campervan.

Pretty easy install and works great for my son.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BroJXrhB...=14ntgao7j9150

[JWA]

I don't know this sort of installation would be legal unless you have some way to properly install a seat belt and most likely air bag and a seat belt pre-tensioning device as well. This sort of arrangement and transporting someone would be easily seen by law enforcement, a sure citation I'm guessing.

Me personally I'd NOT ride in such a seat so potentially fraught with injuries when a collision would occur.

Maybe something designated and titled as a Camper/RV escapes such oversight? Obviously I don't know for certain but this same sort of question has been raised before, I don't recall anyone ever going forward with it though.

Interested to see the replies here.

[carringb]

Originally Posted by JWA

I don't know this sort of installation would be legal unless you have some way to properly install a seat belt and most likely air bag and a seat belt pre-tensioning device as well This sort of arrangement and transporting someone would be easily seen by law enforcement, a sure citation I'm guessing.

The F-series center seats include a 3-point seatbelt, and would install in a van just like in a truck. Airbag configurations are similar as well... In other words, the center passenger doesn't get one, but airbags are designed to protect un-belted passengers anyways. I'd have zero hesitation riding in that seat.

I'm not sure why law enforcement would care.Plenty of pickups have 3 across the front seating anyways.

[Offroading_is_Fun]

I picked up a F-series middle seat as a center console (2015+F-series, gray "leather", $70, CL). Never thought about having anyone sit up there mostly because with the dog box it's already pretty cramped.

It does have it's own self-contained seat belt and does fold up to be a reasonably comfortable seat... but doesn't have much(any) leg room.

As it works out, just narrow enough to allow for the transfer case shift, and wide enough that both driver + passenger can use it as an arm rest with enough space to put snacks+water into.

I'll grab some photos if there is any interest.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by Offroading_is_Fun

I'll grab some photos if there is any interest.

I think there would be some interest---could be the very incentive others need to add this sort of extra seating.