1981 M20J Rear Seat

[SJFlyer]

Hi,

My 81J has a rear bench seat.  Can the rear bench seat be modified to two individual recliners?

Edited January 1, 2024 by SJFlyer
bad grammar

[Utah20Gflyer]

Given an adequate amount of interest and money Im sure you could get individual recliners.  My 68 G model has them.  So given that other mid bodies have them that means the parts would likely be compatible with the requisite amount of reworking.   As for exactly what it would take you are going to have to wait for a more knowledgeable person than me to tell you what would have to be done.  My gut tells me it’s a fairly labor intensive project.  
 

The more common request is for seats that fold down flush with the baggage compartment.  That’s something I’d like to have but don’t have the motivation to actually make it happen.  

[PT20J]

You could take the Illustrated Parts Catalog and make a list of parts and then call some MSCs and the salvage places and see what you can round up. 

[A64Pilot]

I want to know how the single seat in an 81J is removed, it’s not obvious to me.

I admit to not really trying yet though it’s always fallen below the line, but I should get in there and corrosion treat the main spar etc.

[KSMooniac]

The rear bench is connected by a pair of bolts at the bottom (they also secure the outboard seat belts) and a pair on the sides about 3/4 of the way up, that fasten to a weldment on the steel cage.

It is possible to retrofit the newer model split bucket seats but you'll have to find a complete salvage kit to purchase.  They're hard to find, and not cheap.

[A64Pilot]

2 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

The rear bench is connected by a pair of bolts at the bottom (they also secure the outboard seat belts) and a pair on the sides about 3/4 of the way up, that fasten to a weldment on the steel cage.

Thanks I’ll have a look.

I don’t need a backseat, it’s possible I may leave it out

[ArtVandelay]

My 78J backseat folds down (not completely), is that standard or is that a mod?

[KSMooniac]

1 minute ago, ArtVandelay said:

My 78J backseat folds down (not completely), is that standard or is that a mod?

Likely the same as my '77.  Sometimes I would remove the butt cushion and fold the back down carefully, but that would prevent the front seats from traveling all the way aft for ingress/egress.

[glbtrottr]

The cushions for the seats are available - but the insert that fits over the fold down seats is a pain in the butt to find


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