I am wanting to remove the rear seats in my Jeep Grand Cherokee, install some frame work to allow dog to sit behind front seats and stop access to cargo area inrear. In the caro area I want to install slide out drawers wih a fridge slide as well. Problem being.... the spare tyre is under ther floor of the rear cargo area. Very inconvenient to have to remove fridge and drawer system to get access to it should the need arise (which given the nature of caravaning is well on the cards). Im sure Im not alone in this. Has one one solved the problem or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Thanks.
Adrian
Ivan 01 said
05:43 PM Aug 22, 2022
Hi Adrian I am not familiar with those late model Jeep Cherokees but many SUV s have problems these days with removing seats as many of them have sensors in the seats to act as safety sensors for seat belts etc. It may pay you to check this before removing them if you have to disconnect the wiring as it may upset the vehicle electronics.
If that isnt a problem then fitting the spare inside the back area might be a solution. There arent probably that many spots to carry the spare. Maybe if mounted safely the wheel could travel with the dog behind the front seat. Or as you suggest, there may be a mounting available to carry it externally at the tailgate or maybe on a roof rack.
Good luck with it.
-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Monday 22nd of August 2022 05:46:26 PM
Whenarewethere said
09:21 PM Aug 22, 2022
We keep our second spare on the roof.
Factor in the loss of payload with a draw system. People pull them out for this reason.
You will probably have to do a custom built to get it to work to your requirements. It takes time & it's good to get off the project as this is usually when problems are solved. I have built a number of complete custom items for my car. Including a fridge mounting bracket as the standard one would not work in our limited space.
Possum3 said
07:15 AM Aug 23, 2022
G'day Adrian, There are available swing-away spare wheel mounts that can be fitted to rear towbar in order to have easier access to spare, mind you they can be a pain in the proverbial as they need to be unlocked and swung away to open rear doors/tailgate.
If planning to remove seats in any vehicle there are legal requirements and certifications to be obtained (other than some Toyotas that have seats specifically designed to be removed and clipped back in), this is because you are altering the vehicle from it's design (VDR's).
Check with a local Automotive Engineer and get the paperwork right to avoid fines and demerits - Most Engineers that can do "Blue Slip" should be able to assist at a moderate cost.
Cupie said
10:50 AM Aug 23, 2022
My 3rd row of seats in my GQ Patrol have been sitting in my shed for over 20 years .. since I purchased the beast.
When I go Van touring I remove the second row as well.
From time to time I hear that it may be illegal to do so, so I did a bit of a search and found an article in Outback travel
In my case, I reckon that I am legal in that the temporary removal of each seat requires the removal of 4 bolts with a simple tool (spanner) & the seats can be replaced as required.
Many 4WD owners buy wagons or utes that have seating capacities from five to eight persons, with the aim of removing the rear seats and using the rear seat space for travel and camping gear. There is some uncertainty in the 4WD community about the legality of such conversions, so we sought responses from some State road transport authorities.
Transport South Australias view is that removing rear seats, where no tools or only simple tools are needed; where no structural modifications are involved; no change in vehicle category and no commercial gain is sought; does not need approval and so is not committing an offence.
Providing no anchorages for seat, seat belt or child restraint are removed or modified, no modification has been made to the seating capacity. However, if the seat cannot be returned to its original position because of the removal of an anchorage point, then a permanent change in seating capacity has occurred. To formalise this change in seating capacity, an inspection will be required and following inspection a certificate of exemption issued for the permanent removal of the seat.
Where the seats are removed to change a vehicle registration category; to skirt established arrangements such as ADR certification; or to make a substantial structural change relevant authority approval is needed. If any change in classification is sought, an inspection is required and a label attached accordingly.
Vic Roads view is that there is no reason seats that are designed to be removable cannot be removed. Doing this does not alter the seating capacity of the vehicle. Seating capacity is defined by the Australian Design Rules as the maximum number of seating positions for which the vehicle is designed; not the number of seats actually fitted at any point in time.
The NSW RTAs position is similar to Victorias in that rear seats may be temporarily removed without affecting the vehicles compliance.
Queensland Transport says that for vehicles fitted with quick-release seating attachments as original equipment, temporary removal of the seats is acceptable.
In the case of vehicles fitted with bolt-in seats no engineering approval is necessary for temporary removal, provided the category of the vehicle does not change as a result of the seating reduction.
At the time of a Safety Certificate inspection, the vehicle must be returned to the manufacturers original condition or have a Modification Plate fitted for the seating configuration as presented.
Queensland Transport will mutually recognise interstate drivers travelling in Queensland who comply with their own jurisdictions requirements, but drivers are advised to carry some proof of this compliance.
I have no idea what payload you have for a Jeep, but you will need to watch the GVM of the vehicle with any modifications.
If, and its a big if, you have plenty of payload to play with, you could consider one of these, and there are a few different types available out there.
Greetings all.
I am wanting to remove the rear seats in my Jeep Grand Cherokee, install some frame work to allow dog to sit behind front seats and stop access to cargo area inrear. In the caro area I want to install slide out drawers wih a fridge slide as well. Problem being.... the spare tyre is under ther floor of the rear cargo area. Very inconvenient to have to remove fridge and drawer system to get access to it should the need arise (which given the nature of caravaning is well on the cards). Im sure Im not alone in this. Has one one solved the problem or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Thanks.
Adrian
Hi Adrian
I am not familiar with those late model Jeep Cherokees but many SUV s have problems these days with removing seats as many of them have sensors in the seats to act as safety sensors for seat belts etc.
It may pay you to check this before removing them if you have to disconnect the wiring as it may upset the vehicle electronics.
If that isnt a problem then fitting the spare inside the back area might be a solution.
There arent probably that many spots to carry the spare.
Maybe if mounted safely the wheel could travel with the dog behind the front seat.
Or as you suggest, there may be a mounting available to carry it externally at the tailgate or maybe on a roof rack.
Good luck with it.
-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Monday 22nd of August 2022 05:46:26 PM
We keep our second spare on the roof.
Factor in the loss of payload with a draw system. People pull them out for this reason.
You will probably have to do a custom built to get it to work to your requirements. It takes time & it's good to get off the project as this is usually when problems are solved. I have built a number of complete custom items for my car. Including a fridge mounting bracket as the standard one would not work in our limited space.
If planning to remove seats in any vehicle there are legal requirements and certifications to be obtained (other than some Toyotas that have seats specifically designed to be removed and clipped back in), this is because you are altering the vehicle from it's design (VDR's).
Check with a local Automotive Engineer and get the paperwork right to avoid fines and demerits - Most Engineers that can do "Blue Slip" should be able to assist at a moderate cost.
My 3rd row of seats in my GQ Patrol have been sitting in my shed for over 20 years .. since I purchased the beast.
When I go Van touring I remove the second row as well.
From time to time I hear that it may be illegal to do so, so I did a bit of a search and found an article in Outback travel
4WD Modification Legalities (outbacktravelaustralia.com.au)
and took this relevant extract.
Draw your own conclusions.
In my case, I reckon that I am legal in that the temporary removal of each seat requires the removal of 4 bolts with a simple tool (spanner) & the seats can be replaced as required.
...............................................................................................................................................
Seat Removal
Many 4WD owners buy wagons or utes that have seating capacities from five to eight persons, with the aim of removing the rear seats and using the rear seat space for travel and camping gear. There is some uncertainty in the 4WD community about the legality of such conversions, so we sought responses
from some State road transport authorities.
Transport South Australias view is that removing rear seats, where no tools or only simple tools are needed; where no structural modifications are involved; no change in vehicle category and no commercial gain is sought; does not need approval and so is not committing an offence.
Providing no anchorages for seat, seat belt or child restraint are removed or modified, no modification has been made to the seating capacity. However, if the seat cannot be returned to its original position because of the removal of an anchorage point, then a permanent change in seating capacity has occurred. To formalise this change in seating capacity, an inspection will be required and following inspection a certificate of exemption issued for the permanent removal of the seat.
Where the seats are removed to change a vehicle registration category; to skirt established arrangements such as ADR certification; or to make a substantial structural change relevant authority approval is needed. If any change in classification is sought, an inspection is required and a label attached
accordingly.
Vic Roads view is that there is no reason seats that are designed to be removable cannot be removed. Doing this does not alter the seating capacity of the vehicle. Seating capacity is defined by the Australian Design Rules as the maximum number of seating positions for which the vehicle is designed; not the number of seats actually fitted at any point in time.
The NSW RTAs position is similar to Victorias in that rear seats may be temporarily removed without affecting the vehicles compliance.
Queensland Transport says that for vehicles fitted with quick-release seating attachments as original equipment, temporary removal of the seats is acceptable.
In the case of vehicles fitted with bolt-in seats no engineering approval is necessary for temporary removal, provided the category of the vehicle does not change as a result of the seating reduction.
At the time of a Safety Certificate inspection, the vehicle must be returned to the manufacturers original condition or have a Modification Plate fitted for the seating configuration as presented.
Queensland Transport will mutually recognise interstate drivers travelling in Queensland who comply with their own jurisdictions requirements, but drivers are advised to carry some proof of this compliance.
................................................................................................................................................
If, and its a big if, you have plenty of payload to play with, you could consider one of these, and there are a few different types available out there.
Good luck
statewide4x4.com.au/gallery/jeep-grand-cherokee-wh/