[Removing Center Seat Section Project] - R1S 2nd Row Captains Chairs from Modified 60% Seat

[dogooddata]

We recently purchased an R1S after owning a Model X for the past 4 years. With 4 kids (ages 7, 5, 3, 1) in car seats, the poor design of access to the 3rd row is a pain. I was surprised that I could not find anyone who has tried to modify the 60% seat to remove the center portion to create an aisle in the middle row...surely someone has already done it?!?! But since I could not find anyone who has already done it, I figured I would give it a shot and take pictures along the way. If you have done this (or know of someone who has) I would love to see build pictures to learn from someone else before I start cutting the seat frame.

I started this evening and I will plan to post updates as the work progresses. Cheers to starting something without a fully formed plan!

Progress so far (updated May 4):

• removed top portion of the middle that folds down.
• removed plastic trim around floor mount for the rail
• removed plastic trim that covers the rail and covers the hinge for the folding top portion
• removed the bottom seat cushion from the seat frame
• (new) grind down welds connecting wire frame from tubular frame
• (new) cut out tubular frame including middle seat wire frame
• (new) cut out rear tube - black bar that serves as hinge for folding motion
• (new) bend wire frame to match curve of plastic molding

Original seat before any work:

Current state (Updated May 5):

Work in progress photos:

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[NeedSumCoffee]

Seems like it would be easier to just buy a salvaged 2nd row passenger seat and install it on driver side

 

[DuoRivian]

How are your kids being transported while you mutilate your Rivian?

 

[dogooddata]

Seems like it would be easier to just buy a salvaged 2nd row passenger seat and install it on driver side

Definitely thought about that route...and if this does not pan out, I may try it. Two issues to work through if going that route... 1) mounting bolts - I believe they are in different locations so you would need to do a little retrofitting. 2) Seat belt, the buckle would be on the wrong side. Could probably figure out a way to mount it securely...but especially with the kiddos in the back, I prefer to not count on my guess of a strong place to mount a buckle. That said, surprised I could not find someone who has taken this route either (though I saw it discussed in a couple threads).

 

[iansriv]

Seems like it would be easier to just buy a salvaged 2nd row passenger seat and install it on driver side

Or another car. More power to you mate for doing this. You remind me of a friend who fancied himself a mechanical engineer, at 16, and proceeded to dismantle his dad's new car. It did not go as planned for him or the car. Cheers.

 

[dogooddata]

How are your kids being transported while you mutilate your Rivian?

In said Rivian. Started with a donor back seat.

 

[HeyEllwood]

Kind of in the same boat (-1 kid though). 6, 4 and almost 2. Bigs are in the back and little on driver side in a car seat. We usually leave the other two middle rows down but would be awesome to have an aisle instead of the middle flip down portion.

hope this works out for you. Following along for progress reports.

 

[JMACCA]

We recently purchased an R1S after owning a Model X for the past 4 years. With 4 kids (ages 7, 5, 3, 1) in car seats, the poor design of access to the 3rd row is a pain. I was surprised that I could not find anyone who has tried to modify the 60% seat to remove the center portion to create an aisle in the middle row...surely someone has already done it?!?! But since I could not find anyone who has already done it, I figured I would give it a shot and take pictures along the way. If you have done this (or know of someone who has) I would love to see build pictures to learn from someone else before I start cutting the seat frame.

I started this evening and I will plan to post updates as the work progresses. Cheers to starting something without a fully formed plan!

Progress so far:

• removed top portion of the middle that folds down.
• removed plastic trim around floor mount for the rail
• removed plastic trim that covers the rail and covers the hinge for the folding top portion
• removed the bottom seat cushion from the seat frame

Original seat before any work:

Current state:

Work in progress photos:

I hope RJ watches your progress and gets the rest of us the finished product in the R1S shop. You must have amazing patience and severe OCD, abundant financing, and abundant free time. I hope you are an engineer.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Honestly, I’m totally here for you tackling this—who am I to question your skills, resources, or schedule? Consider me front row with popcorn, because this is my kind of reality TV!

 

[jambaman84]

Why Rivian doesn’t offer captain chairs is beyond me. I’m hoping gen3 will have them as an option. But great job! Keep us updated with how it goes!

 

[R1SFamilyGuy]

Could you just leave the middle seat and just remove the back support. Kids don’t mind jumping/stepping over it am sure. Sounds like lot less work that way.

but…definitely following the progress. Keep this thread updated, pls!

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Cheers to starting something without a fully formed plan!

This is the best way!

 

[csharp]

Excited for someone to tackle this. It looks like the only mounting points are under the main seat, so it shouldn't be too hard to get rid of the center section. Cut the metal round pipe and then tackle some of the plastic trim and you're good to go!

 

[jeeden]

I'm not questioning the market's obsession with the captain's chairs configuration (I have bought four Ford Explorers over the years, and I remember my sales guy telling me that people were obsessed with the captain's chairs on SUVs so kids could get themselves into the third row of SUVs).

I am questioning your obsession with it though. I always felt the kids were either too small to push the button on the seat and needed me to buckle them in or they are large enough to buckle themselves in and can push the buttons on the seats themselves. I'm a dad of three and always rolled with two car seats and a booster in the center row even on other vehicles, because I wasn't willing to give up the cargo space of the third row anyway.

I blame the Honda Odyssey for starting this trend so many years ago.

What is your plan if you ever want to resell this thing? If you can find another Captain's chairs obsessive, I guess you could get a premium, but if not... I feel like you have made a choice that could cost you.

I feel like if it was this necessary the Kia EV9 was for you and not a Rivain

 

[shamoo]

Could you just leave the middle seat and just remove the back support. Kids don’t mind jumping/stepping over it am sure. Sounds like lot less work that way.

I suppose at that point, just fold the middle down as it can do now and have them crawl over?

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