3 Seater TJ

[Polka Dot]

I've been kicking around this idea for some time now and I figured I would ask for feedback and opinions.

There's three people in my family. My wife, 6 yo son, and myself. With the current fold and tumble seat in the rear of my TJ, we are of course pressed for storage space and have been using a hitch mounted carrier when needed.

The hitch option is no longer working, it's limited in weight capacity and not to mention it get's hung up on even small inclines and rocks. I've looked at roof racks and don't see many pics of them fully loaded on trails, I'd assume they would make you top heavy.

So, I've been looking at interior storage solutions such as Bestop's and others, but I need something that would keep a seat for my son.

What I've come up with is this. Find a single full size bucket seat, mount it in the middle of the rear tub and build a storage box around it. The top of the box would serve two purposes, 1) enclose the box to be accessed only from the lockable tailgate and 2) provide a flush surface with the wheelwells to lash gear down to.

This position for him also puts him in a "safer" more enclosed area. I would probably opt for a harness type seatbelt system for it.

I'm still in the brainstorming phase of this but I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions from anyone that had tackled something similar or has a feasible idea.

Thanks folks.

Dan

[TRLR8TDTJ]

Maybe Tom Jacobson will post up pictures of his. It is the best setup I have seen for small kid setup. He has mastercraft preemie seat mounted to cage in the rear in the center where kids feet are right at console, and the back is all open for storage. It is pretty much the same thing I am going to do in year or so when kid gets a little bigger.

Kyle

[SHNIPE]

just make sure you carpet the top of it if you go with that. you dont want the kid laying his arm on hot metal from the top.

[RokNRich]

Maybe Tom Jacobson will post up pictures of his. It is the best setup I have seen for small kid setup. He has mastercraft preemie seat mounted to cage in the rear in the center where kids feet are right at console, and the back is all open for storage. It is pretty much the same thing I am going to do in year or so when kid gets a little bigger.

Kyle

X2

:cool:

[Qman]

ill post a pic of my set up when i get home tommorow, I made a Seat mount and bought a PRP premmie seat and Jr dragster harness, works real well, the kid slept most of the first trip we took with it, so it must be comfy. still have room for dog and large 36" storage box, cooler and plenty of wheelin essentials.

[Polka Dot]

Thanks, I'd appreciate it.

[Stomper]

There is a company that takes Jeep rear seats, cuts them down the middle, re-upholsters them, and then you can re-install them. This way you have a fold down seat. You would have to look them up on the internet though I do not remember their name.

[GRUNT]

Sounds interesting. Good idea above about shielding the kid from the heat... Also you must insure that the box will in NO WAY come loose and injure the child should you roll, etc. And if the seat and box are one that the box will not take the kid with it if you roll and it goes loose.

[Hivemind]

My mind was just headed the same way, keep posting ideas...Cool

[Tom Jacobson]

I'll have to look for/take some pics. I don't think I have any pics specific to the kid seat mount.

But yeah, in concept it's been described...my kid's seat is just a scaled down version of the front suspension seats (they're actually PRP's). He's got his own 4pt harness, and the whole thing is attached direct tothe cage. He's positioned just behind the center console...safest seat in the house! His seat is mounted closer to the front seats than the stock fold-n-tumble, so I do have decent room still in the back of the Jeep.

He's been riding in the seat since he was 1yr, and now is just over 4yrs old. He's still got some time to fit in the seat...until the next big growth spurt. Then I'll have to figure out what to do next. Put a full size back there? Or go with PRP's bigger child seat. (And sell the current one to Kyle!) ;-)

I think Mom will be more than happy when he can fit i nthe front pass seat so she can get a day to herself while me and the boy go out!

[TRLR8TDTJ]

I'll have to look for/take some pics. I don't think I have any pics specific to the kid seat mount.

But yeah, in concept it's been described...my kid's seat is just a scaled down version of the front suspension seats (they're actually PRP's). He's got his own 4pt harness, and the whole thing is attached direct tothe cage. He's positioned just behind the center console...safest seat in the house! His seat is mounted closer to the front seats than the stock fold-n-tumble, so I do have decent room still in the back of the Jeep.

He's been riding in the seat since he was 1yr, and now is just over 4yrs old. He's still got some time to fit in the seat...until the next big growth spurt. Then I'll have to figure out what to do next. Put a full size back there? Or go with PRP's bigger child seat. (And sell the current one to Kyle!) ;-)

I think Mom will be more than happy when he can fit i nthe front pass seat so she can get a day to herself while me and the boy go out!

I will take seat off your hands when you decide to get larger one. That is the color I was going to get .

Kyle

[Markos]

Click on image for Colorado4x4 username:
http://www.interfold.com/mholroyd/carnage1.jpg (http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/member.php?u=2337)

Also, check ou this thread:
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=818570
http://thumb6.webshots.net/t/64/464/3/35/21/2650335210101216306IMdHgX_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2650335210101216306IMdHgX)

[AZXJ]

Race Trim child seat would fit perfect!!! We could also fab up the storage container..


Dave

[GRUNT]

I like the picture, looks tight though. Probably need a rack to carry a cooler and gear. Unless of course they have a JPCooler... :D
Why aren't those parents wearing their shoulder belts? :eek:

[GRUNT]

Ooooo, 1000th post?!?!?!?! Oh, sorry... Back to the thread. I would be interested in seats like that for my boy and girl.

[Markos]

I like the picture, looks tight though. Probably need a rack to carry a cooler and gear. Unless of course they have a JPCooler... :D
Why aren't those parents wearing their shoulder belts? :eek:

It looks like they are wearing lap belts. Hard to tell...

[SHNIPE]

i only use a lap belt when wheeling. Cant stand being pinned and trying to get a good look at the lines.

[azdesertrhino]

Haven't had time to read the whole thread but the 87 YJ I just bought had a single bucket type seat installed, centered behind the two front seats. Had lap belts etc.

Not sure if that is what you are looking for, I have removed this fixture to install a tuffy box.