3rd Seat in Z71 Tahoe

[Closer_2001]

I am coming off a Smart Buy on a 2000 Tahoe Limited.  I hadn't planned on getting into another Tahoe, as the 2k has been one problem after another (more on that later).  GM is offering to get me out of the current one early, which will save me considerable $$.

 

I really like the look/engine/drivetrain/features of the Z71 Tahoe.  However, NO 3rd Seat??  Can I add it by using the GM Parts?  Any help is appreciated.  I really want the 3rd seat, and the Suburban won't fit in my garage.

[Closer_2001]

[carguru]

One of my friends that work at a Chevy/GMC dealership said that the reason they don't offer a third seat for the Z71 Tahoe was because safety reasons.  If someone were to do real off-roading in the Tahoe Z71, all the bouncing around in the third seat would put passengers too close to the rear glass.  Fear of product liability I guess.

[Closer_2001]

Thanks,

 

So he is saying the seat will bolt in, it is just not marketed as a "suitable" option for the Z71?

[carguru]

That sounded like what he said.   He did say however that he thought the seat can be added.  I haven't looked that closely at the mounts.  With the seats being a $900 something option on the standard Tahoe, getting all the parts to retrofit might be an expensive proposition.

[kevin02tahoe]

I have a 2002 Tahoe LS that came with the third seats.  I promptly took them out and wrapped them for storage.  I wanted the cargo room and not the seats.

 

You must have the liftgate/liftglass to get the 3rd row seats, not the cargo rear panel doors.  I don't know if there is a size limitation to the 3rd row seats and cargo doors.  Or, if it just makes GM production easier.

 

There are some brackets in my rear floorboard area to hold the 3rd row seats.  I don't know how easily those could be added if not stock.

[chane]

Just keep the 3rd seat out of your lease  ;)

[Closer_2001]

I was planning on purchasing a seat from someone that wasn't using it.  I found one on Ebay the other day.  The Brackets are probably the interesting part.  Can anyone check to see if they are bolted or welded to the floor.

 

Unfortunately, my current Tahoe is a 2 row seater  

[LoClass]

Adding a 3rd seat to a 2000-02 (new body style) Tahoe/Yukon shouldn't be too difficult.  It would require cutting of the carpet for the seat striker bars.  As for adding the striker bars, half of what you need is installed on every Tahoe/Yukon built (this includes trucks with cargo doors).  The seat bars bolt to the floorpan of the truck.  The threaded anchors are welded into the floorpan of every Tahoe built, but the ones that don't get the 3rd seat, have plugs in them.  The trick is that the plugs are baked to the floorpan during the painting process in the assembly plant.  They have to be dug out of the anchors.  It's a bit tedious, but can be done.  Once the plugs are out of the anchors, you can simply bolt in the seat striker bars.  Seat striker bars ought to be available from the dealer.