Install: 3rd Row Seat in Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited

Adding a third row seat to the back of your jeep wrangler me to come and look at it gives you the ability to bring extra passengers, and I’m here in the morning horrible.
In his video we take the rear seat from a Jeep Wrangler YJ (Purchased locally from Dr Jeep in Provo, who parts out old Jeeps purchased at auctions) and install it in the back using the factory mounting brackets.

[@amberdarden5533]

Thanks for the insight!!! Looks great. About to put a third row in our JL

[@1111Overland]

Amber Darden hope it works well! The JL shouldn’t be that much different, though you’ll want to see where the “bolts” would go to make sure they are as secure as possible.

[@alanguilbault384]

I hate to be the one to say this but that is not a safe installation. The seat needs to be bolted through the floor with plates top and bottom to prevent the seats from pulling through the floor in a crash. Also the bolts need to grade 8 to withstand the forces that will be put on them in a crash. Those nutserts will rip through the floor and allow the seat to become a projectile.

[@1111Overland]

Alan Guilbault are you sure about that? According to Nutsert specs they can withstand 1200 lbs of vertical pressure...

[@wilko6324]

Likely the jeep's sheet metal the nutserts were installed into would fail to retain the load without reinforcement. Static load/pressure is not what you will have event of accident. What is the dynamic load rating of these installed? I would go with reinforcing plates top and under the jeep as the sheet metal appears to be the weakest link in the chain. Other parts of your install and workmanship are great. Good choice with the 4 point harnesses and I like the red finish.

[@alanguilbault384]

Jeremy McLerran 100% sure those seats would rip out in a crash. Floor needs to be reinforced. Reinforcement plates are used at all mounting points on a roll cage for this same reason.

[@spat8ev]

1200lbf is nothing in a crash. For a 2 person seat you want to be at about 10000lbf static per corner. Shock loads are a bitch...

[@SatanIceCream]

@@alanguilbault384 100% agree. This install NEEDS backing plates! Very unsafe...

[@rickeyware6873]

Good job hopefully should be able to start on my for my JL today !!!!!

[@siope5505]

Awesome job!! Great work!

[@jeepie1964]

Nice to make it like this, greetings Rene from the Netherlands

[@1111Overland]

jeepie1964 thanks Rene! We’re really proud of how it turned out!

[@user-tl4ki4oq2r]

I don’t even have kids and I wanna add this LOL...looks legit

[@ambroselittle]

Impressive mod! Well done.

[@1111Overland]

Ambrose Little thanks. It was a lot of work but fun to plan it out and do it.

[@tiffanypham2786]

Good job. You know, there are always people out there that just like to talk trash about everything. Keep up the good work. Beautiful kids.

[@1111Overland]

MaryJane Phan thanks! The whole goal is to get the kids out there, let them explore and enjoy the world we live in. This helps us do that!

[@nitroxide17]

Sick mod. Your kids are so cute.

[@1111Overland]

nitroxide91 thanks, I totally agree!

[@mshk999]

Nice job man

[@1111Overland]

mshk999 I appreciate that!

[@markbagshaw2142]

This is fantastic...I am going to do this to my Nissan terrano...Amazing

[@1111Overland]

You won’t regret it! Having the whole family along for the trail is awesome!

[@davidvoso7825]

Could I get the dimensions of the bracket that you installed in the back thank you

[@cpgeorge2518]

Awesome!

[@1111Overland]

cpgeorge25 Thanks, I worked really hard on it, wanted it to be as perfect as possible. It’s really kind of disappointing that there’s not a more common solution out there

[@treyguy2874]

Jeremy, Can you send the breakdown of the bracket sizing and any changes you'd make? I like your brackets better than the teraflex third row for seatbelt connections.

[@1111Overland]

Trey Guy Dad Send me a direct message on Instagram. @mclerran11

[@jaoampuan1027]

I want four more bolt on that plate specialy in the middle to make a strong hold in case of a crash.

[@1111Overland]

Jao Ampuan yep, I agree. I’ve actually taken the third row out until I can get something like this done.

[@bcoon123]

An FYI I looked into the same idea last year and found out no insurance coverage for injuries of third row passangers. Kind of like exceeding your vehicles tow capacity and having an accident

[@1111Overland]

Brian Coon Really! That’s very interesting. I will have to call my insurance company and see if the same holds true. I wonder if it’s across all insurance companies or limited to just the type of coverage you have. Anyone else out there know if this is covered by their insurance?

[@soukyphetsinor2716]

Always wanted a 4dr jeep, but held back cuz not enuff seating for when fam visit. This video made up my mind for me to go get a 4dr jeep. Thnx for a great video. Have u been on a long road trip with ur kids in the back, if yes, how did it go

[@1111Overland]

Souky Phetsinor glad this gave you the good idea! Yes, we’ve done lots and lots of trips. We typically go down to Moab, about 3 1/2 hours away but we’ve gone lots further too. We’ve found several things that make those trips easy: 1- We try not to drive more than 2 hours without giving them a break, and when we do stop, everyone gets out, everyone goes potty, and everyone gets to stretch and run around. 2- We bring lots of healthy snacks. Pretzels, carrots, crackers. Kids can eat as much as they want 3- Every kid gets to bring a book, a small toy, a stuffed animal, and a blanket. 4- We have a couple tablets loaded up with good movies or educational apps to engage their brains 5- We mix up between music, silence, playing games, and naps 6- We got a bunch of small pillows that are easy to nap on. Several attach to the seat belts to help them stay in place 7- on extra long toad trips, we bring “mystery bags” with things from the dollar store. Every few hours they can pick a bag and they get to open a new toy or game that will hold their attention for a while. Thanks for watching, hope that helps!

[@soukyphetsinor2716]

@@1111Overland thnx for the info. At first I didnt want to give up a full size SUV cuz it's got the 3rd seat, but like I said it video help me decided that yes I will go for a 4dr jeep. Hows the gas mileage

[@1111Overland]

Gas mileage ranges between 15 and 19, depending on how we drive and what we tow. We do have a small trailer we can tow to put our luggage in if we are not traveling with other people who can help us carry things. Our last Jeep had a roof rack and we put sleeping bags and other gear up top. We don’t have one of those yet on this jeep, so you’ll want to consider your gear solutions. If we are just going for a short overnighted and staying in a hotel we just let every kid keep a change of clothes in a small bag under their seat. If it’s longer or full of camping we use the trailer.

[@adamclancy8706]

Good Job Jeremy, it looks like you were able to make more leg room unlike some other installs I’ve seen. Have you sat back there and checked it out? What do you think, Comfortable enough for adults? I read the comments about securing it to the frame and I’m sure I will considering there will be adults back there. Any more thoughts on that?

[@1111Overland]

Adam Clancy Yeah, it’s actually not bad for an adult. I am 5’10” and weigh about 150 lbs, so I am not buy no means tall and large, but I can certainly sit back there on a short trip. Taking the hard top off takes that experience from tolerable to excellent, as the biggest annoyance is headroom and confinement on the left and right sides. It’s certainly easier if the adult is the only person back there, but two adults in the back would feel pretty snug, but again with the top off they would be looking up and around and most likely won’t notice.

[@fermendozavargas]

I have 4 kids now and would love to do something like this to my 2007 jk

[@1111Overland]

Your kids will love it!

[@laurenossman2839]

It’s hard to tell from the video, but the mounting bracket you made, does that allow access to the tool compartment still when the seat is up?

[@1111Overland]

Lauren Sanchez no, it would lock it down, but mine had a subwoofer in it so that didn’t matter to me.

[@1111Overland]

Lauren Sanchez HOWEVER you could just take the flip up door off and do without it, then it WOULD give you access when the seat is up

[@bluesteelj.spence8897]

Hey which seat did u purchase? I can't seem to find one specifically for a jk

[@1111Overland]

Blue Steel J. Spence so you won’t find one for a JK, and if you do it’s very expensive. Buying the rear seat of a 2 door JK will fit, and Teraflex has a kit that allows you to easily add it. I did the rear seat for a CJ, because it was the smallest. I wanted to have a little bit of room on the left to get in and out. A seat for a YJ could also fit, but only if your JK doesn’t have the factory sub on the side.

[@bluesteelj.spence8897]

@@1111Overland on thanks bro

[@SatanIceCream]

Do NOT use nutserts... please. Like others have said you need a bottom plate to spread out the dynamic load in the event of a crash.. please just re-do it with bottom plates.. for your kid's sake... just plate it up on the bottom (underside)... put lock-washers under those nuts too. And do NOT use those soft cushion gaskets under your flat washers... you want metal to metal contact, that rubbery gasket will bugger the torque values... again lock-washers under each nut... I respect your ambition, but you can make this install 100% safe and legit with just a few simple yet CRUCIAL changes... again think of your kids and those tiny nutserts pressure-fitted into sheetmetal in an accident... that seat will go flying...

[@1111Overland]

SatanIceCream Thanks for the advice and the concern! I’ve actually removed that third row until I can figure out a weight distribution system that will work. The problem is that, unlike previous models, the underside isn’t flat, and in some cases I can’t even get to the other side.

[@christinemartinez8115]

Can you help Me find one for my 2019 Rubicon?

[@1111Overland]

If you are looking for a seat, any seat out of a YJ or CJ should fit in that space back there. Do a search for replacement rear seat on your favorite jeep parts website. Mounting it will be a little trickier. TeraFlex used to sell a bracket kit, not sure if they still do.

[@funnybunny80zbaby88]

I was wondering what seat did you use?

[@1111Overland]

funnybunny80zbaby88 it’s the Bestop Trailmax seat. I got the one designed for a CJ/YJ so it would still allow someone to climb in from the back. Here’s the link: Bestop 39440-01 TrailMax II Fold... www.amazon.com/dp/B001894LUM?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

[@JaydeepDave12]

@@1111Overland Great Job!! I saw few other videos before and they were using silicon to stick the Rivet nut :D . I see your daughter is same age as my daughter. Can your children legally sit in this third row without car seats? Aren't they supposed to be on Car Seats at this age?

[@Slay_12360]

Can you do mine

[@1111Overland]

It’s quite the challenge, best of luck to you!

[@MoragTong_]

You realize that you even mention overtightening the nutserts? That's all that is holding the whole contraption in the rig. Should have welded steel plate UNDER the jeep and ran real nuts/bolt's through that. Those nutserts just sitting in sheet meatal are a deathtrap. Hope you never get in a rear-end accident...especially with that oversized spare.

[@1111Overland]

Agreed! I actually took the third row out and bought a TJ instead. The way that was secured made me more and more nervous over the years. Lots of concerned comments by viewers made me rethink things! Now when we go as a family it’s in two Jeeps!

[@deathbysks]

That's scary as shit. Please reinforce.

[@1111Overland]

Thanks for the advice. Those Nutserts are pretty strong, and with 8 of these there's plenty of hold points, but it doesn't hurt to add more underneath. I'll start designing a plate to do that!