Zulee Posted April 21, 2013 Report Posted April 21, 2013 I have an 81 J and often carry camping gear, golf clubs, etc and rarely carry anyone in the rear seat. Since my rear seat configuration is bench style (non folding) and connected by 4 bolts, removing just the seat back would cure my space problem. I understand W&B, required equipment, etc will be offered as concerns but would like to hear some feedback from the group or any experiences with this. Thanks, Rick
M016576 Posted April 21, 2013 Report Posted April 21, 2013 There's a thread here about how to convert your bench so it will fold down. It's kind of old, but I bet a search for it will turn it up.
RJBrown Posted April 21, 2013 Report Posted April 21, 2013 Not much weight involved, the seat back is very light. I am sure it is not on any required list. Taking it out temporarily seems reasonable to me.
Steve Dawson Posted April 21, 2013 Report Posted April 21, 2013 I believe Lasar had a stc for a hinge for that.
Zulee Posted April 21, 2013 Author Report Posted April 21, 2013 I agree it likely weighs less than my flight bag...ha ha. I will check for the stc but knowing lasar they figured how to turn it into a $4,000 modification. Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments
Zulee Posted April 21, 2013 Author Report Posted April 21, 2013 I found the folding seat thread and the mod was quoted by one Mooniac at $1800 and another at $3000, go figure. I got a kick out of someone commenting about the seat being part of the structural integrity of the cabin...OMG, I almost p'd my pants. I think it is safe to assume the roll cage engineered by Mooney doesn't need the help of a 20 lb seat to keep things together. LOL
KSMooniac Posted April 22, 2013 Report Posted April 22, 2013 I've taken to leaving the upper bolts out, and remove the seat bottom and fold the rear forward when I carry a lot of cargo. You have to be careful with the tabs passing by the armrests, but it is doable. It limits the front seat travel aft and makes ingress/egress a little more difficult, but still possible.
N231SM Posted February 17, 2018 Report Posted February 17, 2018 Just one fold down rear seat. Not split seats: I am interested in whether or not anyone has had success in modifying the brackets, on a K model, so the rear seat back simply folds down. I understand there is a minor, not structural mod out there, but not sure it will fit my plane. Thanks
anthonydesmet Posted February 17, 2018 Report Posted February 17, 2018 231SM,I posted a backseat mod and have a pdf I can send you on how I worked mine to put a dog carrier in for pilots and paws. pm me if your interested Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Skates97 Posted February 18, 2018 Report Posted February 18, 2018 Did you see this one posted by @piperpainter? Seats-1.pdf 1
SARNorm Posted November 9, 2020 Report Posted November 9, 2020 On 2/17/2018 at 3:48 PM, anthonydesmet said: 231SM, I posted a backseat mod and have a pdf I can send you on how I worked mine to put a dog carrier in for pilots and paws. pm me if your interested Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I just saw this thread, and also travel with my canines for SAR work. I would be interested in the PDF if it is still available. Thanks, Norm
carusoam Posted November 11, 2020 Report Posted November 11, 2020 Welcome aboard, Norm! Got any pics of the working dogs and your plane? Best regards, -a-
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