Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Hawklore on February 05, 2007, 08:58:26 PM

Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Hawklore on February 05, 2007, 08:58:26 PM
To remove the passenger seat in a '98 Mazda B4000 (98 Ford Ranger),

Besides unhooking the battery, even though the passenger airbag is turned off.

What kind of tool do I need, where can I find it?

And is it legal/safe to drive without a passenger seat?

Planning a trip with the K9, and if I could remove the seat, she'd be alot more comfy, and out of my field of vision.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: nirvana on February 05, 2007, 10:12:43 PM
I wouldn't see why it'd be illegal or unsafe so long as you don't have human passengers (obviously).  Otherwise I think it is probably just a few bolts or nuts attaching it to the floor and some plugs if it has anything electrical.  You'd be good if you had an air ratchet but you can probably get them with just hand tools if need be just be sure to have a "persuasion bar":aok

Take a look underneath and if you have any questions, take a picture and PM me, I'll try to guide you through it.  Seats are typically fairly easy to remove especially on trucks.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Atoon on February 05, 2007, 11:12:20 PM
Here in Ca the law basically states that you must have a seatbelt for all passengers, if the vehicle came with them as original equipment. So, taking the seat out will only limit you from carrying people.

I also think you will find the seat to be bolted in place w/ common hexhead bolts- im bettin its gonna be 4 ofem per seat.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: storch on February 05, 2007, 11:16:41 PM
what is the bed for?
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: DiabloTX on February 05, 2007, 11:23:43 PM
Quote
Originally posted by storch
what is the bed for?


Beer cans.  Duh.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Meatwad on February 05, 2007, 11:30:40 PM
Mine has assorted cans, bottles of fluids, an old drive belt, and a dryrotted tractor tire thats been there for the past year
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: hubsonfire on February 06, 2007, 12:25:39 AM
IIRC, the only wiring for the seat will be the sensors for the seatbelts. Airbag circuit should be independent. Probably just 4 bolts for the pass side. Be sure to get underneath and spray some penetrating oil/kroil/liquid wrench/wd40 etc on the exposed threads, probably wouldn't hurt to give them a quick once-over with a wire brush.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Hornet33 on February 06, 2007, 01:00:50 AM
Your going to need a large TORX set. 4 of them hold that seat in place.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on February 06, 2007, 01:30:15 AM
Yep.  Ford loves to make things that require special tools to remove.  And then change them next year so you need yet another tool that fits nothing else.  Mazda is learning from them.  Cultural exchange at its best.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: storch on February 06, 2007, 07:47:27 AM
Quote
Originally posted by DiabloTX
Beer cans.  Duh.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Skuzzy on February 06, 2007, 09:14:46 AM
Quote
Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
Yep.  Ford loves to make things that require special tools to remove.  And then change them next year so you need yet another tool that fits nothing else.  Mazda is learning from them.  Cultural exchange at its best.
Actually, GM created the TORX head screw.  Just FYI.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: SIK1 on February 06, 2007, 09:57:33 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Skuzzy
Actually, GM created the TORX head screw.  Just FYI.


Yep, and I don't consider the TORX a special tool. It is just another tool that needs to be in the toolbox.

SIK1
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: hubsonfire on February 06, 2007, 10:17:04 AM
Does Mazda actually manufacture their trucks, or are they produced with the rangers down in, whereever the Ford light truck plant is? (Down in Kentucky, is it?)

Having worked on numerous Mazdas (4 RX7s) and Rangers, I grew to love Mazda's use of only metric fasteners. My Jeep, Sonoma, and both Rangers had a nice assortment of various types of fasteners, something which always intrigued me. I do like the Torx stuff, haven't really had any problems with stripping them or rounding off the tools.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Benny Moore on February 06, 2007, 10:19:29 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Atoon
Here in Ca the law basically states that you must have a seatbelt for all passengers, if the vehicle came with them as original equipment. So, taking the seat out will only limit you from carrying people.


Wait, I thought dogs are considered people under California law.  Or have the brilliant Californians not thought of that one yet?
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Atoon on February 06, 2007, 11:51:48 PM
Oh we thought of it, but we realized such a decission would render our precious commute lanes useless.








So how did it go hawklore? Did ya get the seat out? I'm always curious how these car advice threads work out.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: HB555 on February 07, 2007, 12:38:37 AM
Dunno about any other manufacturers, but GM has yet another annoying habit, and that is to use a combination of metric and english fasteners on the same component. Need to change a fan belt? Need 2 sizes of english wrenchs and 1 metric for just the alternator. Working on the A/C ? Might as well roll out both tool boxs.
My 02 Dodge Ram has yet to need a wrench anywhere but the oil pan drain plug, so I don't know yet. (Work at Dodge dealership, so service work is cheap enough to let them do it :D )

GL with that seat.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Hawklore on February 07, 2007, 08:00:18 AM
Haven't had a chance to get to the seat yet..

I think it's def. a torx bolt..

I can get that at a auto store right?

I'll let yall know how it goes..


Why no dog in the bed?

A: I love my dog, and would prefer to have her die by my side then in the back of my truck filled with heavy equipment etc.

B: 120lbs of ammuniton/wood/metal/gear is not a comfortable passenger.

C: I love my dog..
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: hubsonfire on February 07, 2007, 10:39:32 AM
You should be able to get a suitable wrench/socket/bit at any store that sells automotive and hand tools.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Hawklore on February 07, 2007, 11:02:52 AM
I appreciate it guys, THANKS!!

I bought a star hex set, TORX is supposedly a (R) trademark.

Bought a 6" or so bar for ratchet heads, etc.

I took the battery off of the vehicle to be on the safe side, I thought there might of been wires..

Turns out, no wires, just pop the four bolts that around about 3" long and the seat comes right out.

Had I not disconnected the battery, waited 5 mins for the vehicle to de-charge, and tested electronics to ensure no power was being held up.

5 mins would of been how long it would of taken to remove the seat.

Seat weighs only about 30lbs or so, if that..

Replaced the bolts back into the vehicle, so I don't lose them..

Put the seat in the garage, and then took my dad to work.. -devil horns-

He had to sit in a bucket seat.. :lol

Spent about $30.00 on tools I didn't have, and will most likely use again..

$17.00 for 15pc Star Hex set.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: SIK1 on February 07, 2007, 12:16:59 PM
A word of caution on the seat....put it somewhere so no one can sit on it. If they do it can break the mounting brackets underneath the seat.

SIK1
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: HB555 on February 07, 2007, 07:08:30 PM
Hawklore sez:
"Spent about $30.00 on tools I didn't have, and will most likely use again.."


I'd say that if you plan to return the seat to it original position, you will indeed use those tools again.
Glad it went well for you.
Won't be long before you are ready to rebuild your first transmission. ;)
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Hawklore on February 07, 2007, 07:39:53 PM
Quote
Originally posted by HB555
Hawklore sez:
"Spent about $30.00 on tools I didn't have, and will most likely use again.."


I'd say that if you plan to return the seat to it original position, you will indeed use those tools again.
Glad it went well for you.
Won't be long before you are ready to rebuild your first transmission. ;)


RGR on the seat, I'll flip it over, make sure noone sits on it..


Heh, I dunno...

I've gotta see it done first, before I can do it myself..

The seat removal was SO simple.. I could in-vision it, but a tranni?

:O
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: nirvana on February 07, 2007, 09:21:40 PM
It's a Ford, that's the only thing that'll be easy on it:aok
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: rpm on February 07, 2007, 11:27:18 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Hawklore
Why no dog in the bed?

A: I love my dog, and would prefer to have her die by my side then in the back of my truck filled with heavy equipment etc.

B: 120lbs of ammuniton/wood/metal/gear is not a comfortable passenger.

C: I love my dog..
I hope you are putting your dog in a pet taxi and not letting it ride unrestrained. If you get in a wreck, your seatbelt will hold you in while you watch your dog fly thru the windshield.
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: Hawklore on February 08, 2007, 06:21:18 AM
Quote
Originally posted by rpm
I hope you are putting your dog in a pet taxi and not letting it ride unrestrained. If you get in a wreck, your seatbelt will hold you in while you watch your dog fly thru the windshield.


My dog will be restrained...
Title: Ranger passenger seat removal.
Post by: rpm on February 08, 2007, 10:56:36 AM
Good man!:aok