| Sordid Philosopher | 04-16-2002 12:08 AM |
WRX 2K Folding Rear Seat Mod
Hi,
Wondering if anyone knows of a mod to make the rear seat fold down in the sedan? That passthrough is not real useful.
Thanks,
Wondering if anyone knows of a mod to make the rear seat fold down in the sedan? That passthrough is not real useful.
Thanks,
| ScoobyBoy | 04-16-2002 01:20 AM |
sorry i dont think its possible unless you bring it to the shop to do it.
but they have that in the wagon.
:D
but they have that in the wagon.
:D
| aspera | 04-16-2002 01:34 AM |
my 2 centz
The best chance is to wait for Subaru to redesign it in a couple of years and then retrofit the parts (if possible).
I hope Subaru knows people would like fold down rear seats. I would. Maybe they just goofed up.
I think that they made the sedan that way intentionally to sell more wagons. I mean they already make a WRX fold down rear seat for the wagon. Why would they not put it in the sedan? They went out of their way to design a non-folding rear seat for the sedan.
They do strange stuff like that. Can anyone explain why they make so many wagons off of the Impreza paltform? :) WRX, OBS, Forrester
I hope Subaru knows people would like fold down rear seats. I would. Maybe they just goofed up.
I think that they made the sedan that way intentionally to sell more wagons. I mean they already make a WRX fold down rear seat for the wagon. Why would they not put it in the sedan? They went out of their way to design a non-folding rear seat for the sedan.
They do strange stuff like that. Can anyone explain why they make so many wagons off of the Impreza paltform? :) WRX, OBS, Forrester
| Bugg33 | 04-16-2002 03:10 AM |
I don't know if this is the same story but on the Volkswagen Passats with AWD the sedan have the same pass through but on the FWD the seats fold forward. Its probably because the AWD system intrudes the space. The floor is raised high if you remove the seats in the back so if it was folded down it would hardly be flat.
| gotwrx | 04-16-2002 04:21 AM |
you forget the TS
Forester doesn't really count since its an SUV not a wagon. A subtle but important distinction.
Subaru is known in the US for making wagons. Most people are suprised they make sports cars. What amazes me is how far they have managed to extend their product line with only two basic chassis.
The WRX wagon's back seats fold down nearly flat and you don't have to tip up the bottom seat cushion. The center hump should not be an issue tho. There have been tip up seat cusions in rear wheel drive wagons forever.
I doub't they didn't put it in the sedan to save the wagon. I expect it was just cheaper. Fold down seats have to be stonger and have moving parts etc. The back seat on the sedan are probably just bits of foam clipped and bolted to the body sheet metal which would make it hard to mod.
Also making the back seat fold down and providing the corresponding trunk access (ie a big hole) probably looses some of the body stiffness that contributes to the sedan handling a scoach better than the wagon.
If you really want fold down seats you could always trade in the sedan and get a wagon. Its an easy mod if a little expensive :)
Subaru is known in the US for making wagons. Most people are suprised they make sports cars. What amazes me is how far they have managed to extend their product line with only two basic chassis.
The WRX wagon's back seats fold down nearly flat and you don't have to tip up the bottom seat cushion. The center hump should not be an issue tho. There have been tip up seat cusions in rear wheel drive wagons forever.
I doub't they didn't put it in the sedan to save the wagon. I expect it was just cheaper. Fold down seats have to be stonger and have moving parts etc. The back seat on the sedan are probably just bits of foam clipped and bolted to the body sheet metal which would make it hard to mod.
Also making the back seat fold down and providing the corresponding trunk access (ie a big hole) probably looses some of the body stiffness that contributes to the sedan handling a scoach better than the wagon.
If you really want fold down seats you could always trade in the sedan and get a wagon. Its an easy mod if a little expensive :)
| [email protected] | 04-16-2002 09:17 AM |
i looked at modifying my back seat to fold down (long story as to why...but it had to do with a freeair sub setup in my overly outrageous stereo system) I had my lead tech take a gander at it & we both came to the conclusion that it'd be next to impossible...its been a couple of months since we looked so the specifics as to why its almost impossible escape me...but we didnt have to look very long to figure it out ;)
| fincher69 | 04-16-2002 11:04 AM |
I can't remember exactly what thread, but I know someone on i-club was trying to perform this exact mod and I think had made some significant progress. Maybe you can search and find it. Also, I haven't owned many sedans, but it seems most of the ones I have been in either have no pass-through at all, or one similar to the WRX. Are there many sedans out there that let you pull the rear seats down?
| wrxlvr | 04-16-2002 11:39 AM |
Do a search on user name "Hazdaz". He was working on it.
| Brady | 04-17-2002 01:13 AM |
Subaru just doesn't do fold down seats on sedans. Check Legacy and Outback sedans. A passthrough on both. What about older imprezas? Fold down on those sedans? How about the coupes?
| supermarkus | 04-17-2002 01:26 AM |
It's no oversight of fluke that Subaru didn't include folding rear seats. It's part of the reason the new body style impreza is so much stiffer than the GC impreza. Accept, move on. I love the solid, connected feel of this car.
| gypsymoth | 05-06-2002 08:35 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by supermarkus [/i]
[B]It's no oversight of fluke that Subaru didn't include folding rear seats. It's part of the reason the new body style impreza is so much stiffer than the GC impreza. Accept, move on. I love the solid, connected feel of this car. [/B][/QUOTE]
What does that have to do with chassis stiffness?
GC Impreza's do not have fold down rear seats either.
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url]
[B]It's no oversight of fluke that Subaru didn't include folding rear seats. It's part of the reason the new body style impreza is so much stiffer than the GC impreza. Accept, move on. I love the solid, connected feel of this car. [/B][/QUOTE]
What does that have to do with chassis stiffness?
GC Impreza's do not have fold down rear seats either.
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url]
| 1BadRex | 05-06-2002 09:40 PM |
If you look behind the carpiting on the seatback you'll see the reason why. Their are 2 vertical bars bolted to the body, I'm sure that they add to the stiffness of the chassis. (also makes a great place to bolt my amps to, Thank you Subaru)
:lol:
:lol:
| supermarkus | 05-06-2002 09:52 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by gypsymoth [/i]
[B]
What does that have to do with chassis stiffness?
GC Impreza's do not have fold down rear seats either.
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url] [/B][/QUOTE]
GC Imprezas dont have the bracing and the same amount of sheet metal behind their seats like the GD sedans. I've compared a GC to a GD directly side by side with the rear seats out and it's pretty clear which one should feel stiffer. Answer your question?
[B]
What does that have to do with chassis stiffness?
GC Impreza's do not have fold down rear seats either.
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url] [/B][/QUOTE]
GC Imprezas dont have the bracing and the same amount of sheet metal behind their seats like the GD sedans. I've compared a GC to a GD directly side by side with the rear seats out and it's pretty clear which one should feel stiffer. Answer your question?
| gypsymoth | 05-07-2002 01:58 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by supermarkus [/i]
[B]
GC Imprezas dont have the bracing and the same amount of sheet metal behind their seats like the GD sedans. I've compared a GC to a GD directly side by side with the rear seats out and it's pretty clear which one should feel stiffer. Answer your question? [/B][/QUOTE]
Yes. Your original statement:
"It's no oversight of fluke that Subaru didn't include folding rear seats. It's part of the reason the new body style impreza is so much stiffer than the GC impreza."
confused me. Because it sounds like the new age WRX are stiffer than the GC because of no fold down seats, even though the GC did not have fold down seats either.
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url]
[B]
GC Imprezas dont have the bracing and the same amount of sheet metal behind their seats like the GD sedans. I've compared a GC to a GD directly side by side with the rear seats out and it's pretty clear which one should feel stiffer. Answer your question? [/B][/QUOTE]
Yes. Your original statement:
"It's no oversight of fluke that Subaru didn't include folding rear seats. It's part of the reason the new body style impreza is so much stiffer than the GC impreza."
confused me. Because it sounds like the new age WRX are stiffer than the GC because of no fold down seats, even though the GC did not have fold down seats either.
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url]
| Herbie | 05-07-2002 02:16 PM |
Its amazing that this comes up so much and yet no one seems to know the history:
Original uplevel Imprezas like the Impreza LS models DID have fold down seats, prior to 1997.
Same with all first-gen Legacies. FWIW, a first gen legacy folding seat and hardware CAN be retrofitted to a first gen Impreza sedan or coupe. The blind nuts for the latching hardware are there.
On first gen cars that DO NOT have folding seats, the "metal bars" that go behind the seats are supports to stop the foam from sagging as people sit in the back seats. They can be removed without adverse effect and MUST be removed if converting to a folding seat mechanism.
Also, in the JDM and some other markets, many first gen Imprezae came with folding rear seats right up to the end of the line (2000 for everywhere but the US).
Now, onto the 2nd Gen Imprezas:
Ok, I have a wagon now, so I haven't investigated this as thoroughly as I had on my old RS. I imagine if you remove the upper seat back on a '02 sedan you'd find the blind nuts at the top of the seat area. If they're there, these hold the latch hardware and that means that somewhere in the world there are folding seats available.
If they are absent, then FHI has removed the folding option all together and you're SOL for finding a factory solution.
So, pull the back seat. Its like 4 bolts. Just do it.
Original uplevel Imprezas like the Impreza LS models DID have fold down seats, prior to 1997.
Same with all first-gen Legacies. FWIW, a first gen legacy folding seat and hardware CAN be retrofitted to a first gen Impreza sedan or coupe. The blind nuts for the latching hardware are there.
On first gen cars that DO NOT have folding seats, the "metal bars" that go behind the seats are supports to stop the foam from sagging as people sit in the back seats. They can be removed without adverse effect and MUST be removed if converting to a folding seat mechanism.
Also, in the JDM and some other markets, many first gen Imprezae came with folding rear seats right up to the end of the line (2000 for everywhere but the US).
Now, onto the 2nd Gen Imprezas:
Ok, I have a wagon now, so I haven't investigated this as thoroughly as I had on my old RS. I imagine if you remove the upper seat back on a '02 sedan you'd find the blind nuts at the top of the seat area. If they're there, these hold the latch hardware and that means that somewhere in the world there are folding seats available.
If they are absent, then FHI has removed the folding option all together and you're SOL for finding a factory solution.
So, pull the back seat. Its like 4 bolts. Just do it.
| KSs2001RS | 05-07-2002 04:27 PM |
same deal
Sordid Philosopher,
i had a post going called pass-through for RS trunk cause i'm looking into fold-down rear seats for my rs sports coupe. anything you find out, please let me know. thnx.
ks
i had a post going called pass-through for RS trunk cause i'm looking into fold-down rear seats for my rs sports coupe. anything you find out, please let me know. thnx.
ks
| gypsymoth | 05-07-2002 04:40 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Herbie [/i]
[B]
Same with all first-gen Legacies. FWIW, a first gen legacy folding seat and hardware CAN be retrofitted to a first gen Impreza sedan or coupe. The blind nuts for the latching hardware are there.
[/B][/QUOTE]
Would you help me with the definition of first-gen Legacies? What years are considered as first gen?
Also, let's get the definition of Impreza generations straight. In your message, it sounds like you are refering to 99-01 Imprezas when you talk about first-gen Imprezas and 02+ Imprezas as second gen. However, I have always considered 93-97 Impreza to be first gen, 98-01 to be second Gen, and 02+ Imprezas as third gen.
Would someone help me clear up all this confusion?
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url]
[B]
Same with all first-gen Legacies. FWIW, a first gen legacy folding seat and hardware CAN be retrofitted to a first gen Impreza sedan or coupe. The blind nuts for the latching hardware are there.
[/B][/QUOTE]
Would you help me with the definition of first-gen Legacies? What years are considered as first gen?
Also, let's get the definition of Impreza generations straight. In your message, it sounds like you are refering to 99-01 Imprezas when you talk about first-gen Imprezas and 02+ Imprezas as second gen. However, I have always considered 93-97 Impreza to be first gen, 98-01 to be second Gen, and 02+ Imprezas as third gen.
Would someone help me clear up all this confusion?
Chieh
--
Chieh's Web - [url]http://Chieh.CameraHacker.com/[/url]
| Herbie | 05-07-2002 04:52 PM |
[QUOTE]Would you help me with the definition of first-gen Legacies? What years are considered as first gen? Also, let's get the definition of Impreza generations straight. [/QUOTE]
Generation usually refers to chassis generations.
1st Gen Legacy is 1989-1994
1st Gen Impreza is 1993-2001 (in the US, 2000 everywhere else)
2nd Gen Impreza is 2002+ (in the US, 2001+ everywhere else)
Most people refer to the 1st Gen body as "GC8", which is the JDM chassis code for SOME of these cars, but its a little innacurate if you're trying to describe the ENTIRE first-generation body line.
The Impreza chassis is the same all the way from '93-'01, only the bumper, wings, motors, brakes, etc. (the trim levels) changed.
From the FAQ page, here's the Impreza model lineup by year:
MY93 -- Base Model Sedan (FWD only), L Sedan, L Sport Wagon, LS Sedan, LS Sport Wagon.
MY94 -- Base Model Sedan (FWD only), L Sedan, L Sport Wagon, LS Sedan, LS Sport Wagon.
MY95 -- Base Model Sedan, Base Model Coupe, L Sedan, L coupe, L Sport Wagon, 2.2L Sedan, 2.2L Coupe, 2.2L Sport Wagon, LX Sedan, LX Coupe, LX Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon.
MY96 -- Brighton Coupe, L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sports Wagon, LX Sedan, LX Coupe, LX Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon.
MY97 -- Brighton Coupe, L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon.
MY98 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe.
MY99 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe.
MY00 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe, RS Sedan.
MY01 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe, RS Sedan.
The '95 and '96 LX editions definitely had Rear-Discs and Fold down seats (and trunk lights, and Jesus handles, and all of the other things that were removed in 1996/1997 when Subaru rolled out the all-AWD lineup)
I BELIEVE, but am not positive, that '93-'94 LS cars also sported the Rear-Discs and folding seats.
Generation usually refers to chassis generations.
1st Gen Legacy is 1989-1994
1st Gen Impreza is 1993-2001 (in the US, 2000 everywhere else)
2nd Gen Impreza is 2002+ (in the US, 2001+ everywhere else)
Most people refer to the 1st Gen body as "GC8", which is the JDM chassis code for SOME of these cars, but its a little innacurate if you're trying to describe the ENTIRE first-generation body line.
The Impreza chassis is the same all the way from '93-'01, only the bumper, wings, motors, brakes, etc. (the trim levels) changed.
From the FAQ page, here's the Impreza model lineup by year:
MY93 -- Base Model Sedan (FWD only), L Sedan, L Sport Wagon, LS Sedan, LS Sport Wagon.
MY94 -- Base Model Sedan (FWD only), L Sedan, L Sport Wagon, LS Sedan, LS Sport Wagon.
MY95 -- Base Model Sedan, Base Model Coupe, L Sedan, L coupe, L Sport Wagon, 2.2L Sedan, 2.2L Coupe, 2.2L Sport Wagon, LX Sedan, LX Coupe, LX Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon.
MY96 -- Brighton Coupe, L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sports Wagon, LX Sedan, LX Coupe, LX Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon.
MY97 -- Brighton Coupe, L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon.
MY98 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe.
MY99 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe.
MY00 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe, RS Sedan.
MY01 -- L Sedan, L Coupe, L Sport Wagon, Outback Sport Wagon, RS Coupe, RS Sedan.
The '95 and '96 LX editions definitely had Rear-Discs and Fold down seats (and trunk lights, and Jesus handles, and all of the other things that were removed in 1996/1997 when Subaru rolled out the all-AWD lineup)
I BELIEVE, but am not positive, that '93-'94 LS cars also sported the Rear-Discs and folding seats.
| Hazdaz | 05-07-2002 06:45 PM |
UMM, well if its "impossible" to do (like someone here said), then I better go take my mt. Bike out of my trunk, cuz it couldn't "possibly" be in there with the rear seat folded down, now could it?!?. :D
I did the mod a few weeks back and I'm more than glad I did.
Its not 100% done - Now that it works, i'm too lazy to get it 100%, but the seat folds forward fine - not flat, but thats mostly cuz the top of the seat-back hits the front seats (so if your tall and have your driver seat all the way back, its going to hit even more). Either way it easily folds flat enough to make it VERY useful. The ONLY thing wrong with it now it that when folded UP, the seat-back is offset forward about 1.5-2", so you have that much less seat bottom to sit on. <-- not sure if that last part makes sence, but in simple terms I like it LOTS, and since I have almost never used the back seat for passengers, I am in no rush to make it an 100% stock-lookin mod yet.
[God, I luv hearing that something is "impossible" and then figuring out a way to do it ] :D
I did the mod a few weeks back and I'm more than glad I did.
Its not 100% done - Now that it works, i'm too lazy to get it 100%, but the seat folds forward fine - not flat, but thats mostly cuz the top of the seat-back hits the front seats (so if your tall and have your driver seat all the way back, its going to hit even more). Either way it easily folds flat enough to make it VERY useful. The ONLY thing wrong with it now it that when folded UP, the seat-back is offset forward about 1.5-2", so you have that much less seat bottom to sit on. <-- not sure if that last part makes sence, but in simple terms I like it LOTS, and since I have almost never used the back seat for passengers, I am in no rush to make it an 100% stock-lookin mod yet.
[God, I luv hearing that something is "impossible" and then figuring out a way to do it ] :D
| 2OHOH2WRX | 05-07-2002 07:49 PM |
Well, umm, ok, uhh... how did you do it???
:D
:D
| aspera | 05-08-2002 01:43 AM |
How?
| Hazdaz | 05-11-2002 12:29 PM |
1 Attachment(s)
These are BAD pix, but thats all I have for now.
| Hazdaz | 05-11-2002 12:31 PM |
1 Attachment(s)
OK, that first one wasn't tooo bad, but this one is.
| Hazdaz | 05-11-2002 12:32 PM |
1 Attachment(s)
This ones pretty horrible too.
| topcover | 05-11-2002 02:46 PM |
Hazdaz -
Great DIY mod! Take the "impossible" and make it possible. It's sad that the MY02 sedans don't have the fold down seats yet the civics (like my '95) has the 60/40 split that works great! :confused: From the pix, doesn't even looked hacked. BTW, did you split the rear seats (50/50, 60/40, 100/0)?
Now... if you can only get a good digicam or take the pictures while the car is not moving or when you get rid of your caffine shakes.... :lol:
Great DIY mod! Take the "impossible" and make it possible. It's sad that the MY02 sedans don't have the fold down seats yet the civics (like my '95) has the 60/40 split that works great! :confused: From the pix, doesn't even looked hacked. BTW, did you split the rear seats (50/50, 60/40, 100/0)?
Now... if you can only get a good digicam or take the pictures while the car is not moving or when you get rid of your caffine shakes.... :lol:
| KSs2001RS | 05-11-2002 04:32 PM |
how bout the 01 rs?
can this be done w/ the 01 rs? what fold down seat would i need to get from another mdl/year? i want to use my stock black cloth w/ cf look - is this possible? possible w/ a 50-50 split fold down rear seats? cost? time?
ks
ks
| KSs2001RS | 05-11-2002 04:34 PM |
coupe
forgot to mention my 01 rs is the sports coupe.
ks
ks
| Hazdaz | 05-11-2002 06:58 PM |
I could maybe understand one of the pix coming out all blurry, but I can't believe that 2 of the 3 came out blurry..... anyways, the bike is like in the back almost all the time, but when I do take it out, ill post more pix if ya want them.
TOPCOVER, I'm totaly with yuou on being surprised that folding rear seats where not offered. That ALMOST made me buy the wagon - but then i took a look at those fenders and decided against it. Anyways, I was almost tempeted to make it a split 40/60 seat, but to get a bike in there, you would need to drop both sides anyways (cuz the car is fairly small), so I figured why bother. After all, we already have that pass thru for skiis and other small stuff.
I don't know about any other scooby models, so I really couldn't help anyone out if they had an older RS or something else.
TOPCOVER, I'm totaly with yuou on being surprised that folding rear seats where not offered. That ALMOST made me buy the wagon - but then i took a look at those fenders and decided against it. Anyways, I was almost tempeted to make it a split 40/60 seat, but to get a bike in there, you would need to drop both sides anyways (cuz the car is fairly small), so I figured why bother. After all, we already have that pass thru for skiis and other small stuff.
I don't know about any other scooby models, so I really couldn't help anyone out if they had an older RS or something else.
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