Reclining second row seats

[GeorgeSSSS]

Does anyone know of an after-market kit for making the second row seats recline? We take the H2 on long trips and being able to recline the second row 20 degrees or so would let the kids get some sleep while I'm driving.

If there are no kits, can anyone recommend a shop in southern California that can do the work? I plan to keep the car at least 5 years, so making the investment now makes sense.

I'll share whatever I learn about this so everyone can avoid the mistakes I'm bound to make.

Thanks,

George

[GeorgeSSSS]

Does anyone know of an after-market kit for making the second row seats recline? We take the H2 on long trips and being able to recline the second row 20 degrees or so would let the kids get some sleep while I'm driving.

If there are no kits, can anyone recommend a shop in southern California that can do the work? I plan to keep the car at least 5 years, so making the investment now makes sense.

I'll share whatever I learn about this so everyone can avoid the mistakes I'm bound to make.

Thanks,

George

[Lean Machine]

I would definitely be interested in your findings. The inability to recline the second row seat is one of the main complaints of my wife. Please keep us posted

[Fastest H-Town Realtor]

The stop mechanism for the 2nd row seats is a stop pin located in the seat housing. In order to adjust said pin, the stop for the pin would need to be grinded or cut so the pin could move farther. I am looking at doing such mod, but the whole seat frame needs to be removes so it could be done correctly. To make it adjustable would take,IMHO, rebuilding the seat frame, so I will be focusing on reclining the seat backs another 10 degrees, not making them reclinable. I am going to look at the Ford units and see if they are compatable in some form.

[Mr. H]

I had an 02 Esclade that had the reclining seats. Are they not similar to the H2 seats? If so, look at how they work and that should give you some clue. I will check tomorrow and let you know.

[GeorgeSSSS]

H: Did the Escalade's seats fold to the foor the same way the H2's do, or does it matter?

George SSSS

[markw]

There's a company in Japan selling a kit to convert the 2nd row seats to recline. http://fukushin-ind.com/hummer_rk.html
The kit retails for about $800! which seems very expensive. Anyway I thought the photos on the web page might be of interest...

Mark.

[GeorgeSSSS]

Mark:

This is great news. IMO, $800 isn't so bad for a proven, high quality kit. You can waste a lot of time and money fooling around with do-it-yourself efforts and finish with a less than satisfactory result.

When I go to your link, the photos are clear enough but everything else shows up as "???????". Can you send me an e-mail address for the Japanese company?

BTW, what can you tell us about the reputation of the kit's manufacturer?

Thanks,

George SSSS

[Hart1]

Here is a cool third row seat that folds down...
http://www.premierhummer.com/hummer_h2_rear_folding_sofa_seat.html

[markw]

Hi George,

You'll have to set your encoding to Japanese Shift JIS to view the text correctly. It does say on the page that the kit can not be fitted to 03 H2s (only 04 and I presume 05s too).I don't know anything about the company so I can't comment on the quality of the kit etc... Here are the contact details of the company:

????????????????
????????????????
E-MAIL?sunrocky@fukushin-ind.com

Mark.

[GeorgeSSSS]

Mark: You da MAN!!! Thanks

Anyone else who is interested in this: I'll be the guinea pig -- -- get the kit, get it installed, see how it works, and report the results.

Only idiots volunteer. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.

Best regards,

George

[Mr. H]

GeorgeSSSS - Yes the seats in the Escalade worked the same way for fold flat (bottom up against the front seat back and the back folds down to the floor). I have not had time to check. I would check the workings of the Esclade before ordering parts. Seems like the GM dealer should be able to supply any parts to exchange.

[GeorgeSSSS]

Mr. H: Good thought. I'll look into the Escalade hardware before I buy anything.

Hart 1: Thanks for the post about the third row seat. That's my next project.

George

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

I'm interested in kit for reclining 2nd row seat if you can pin it down.
Thanks and let us know how it goes.
TAZ

[GeorgeSSSS]

Guys:

I will definitely report back everything that happens, good or bad, as I think that's an important part of our forum.

BTW: I bought my H2 new from a Cadillac/Hummer dealer, so Mr. H's suggestion is particularly apt.

George SSSS

[GeorgeSSSS]

INTERIM REPORT:

The Cadillac/Hummer dealer I bought from said it can't (read, "won't") do the work to make second row seats reclinable "because of safety concerns." However, they will sell me the parts for about $3,800 and, "... you can do it yourself." Ridiculous.

I'm going to confer with a reliable auto mechanic who is anxious to undertake the project of converting the existing seats to reclinable function. If he succeeds, I'll give everyone his name and address.

I also got an e-mail from the Japanese kit manufacturer. He said he needs to research how to "advance the transaction" and will get back to me.

Best regards,

George

[GeorgeSSSS]

This project is starting to come together. However, the tire jack is behind the left side rear seat, preventing it from reclining. Anyone got any suggestions where or whether to move the jack?

Thanks,

George SSSS

[RI Hummer]

george,
If you get any further information on the Japanese kit, let me know.I can't exactly bring the Hummer to CA to your mechanic.

I assume relocating the jack to the same position as the SUT could be accomplished using stock GM parts and maybe only minor modifications. The other option is fabricating a new bracket to move the current location more aft using angled brackets.

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

GeorgeSSS
Seriouly take the jack out and put up in garage. I usually call AAA or the Hummer Dealer.
TAZ


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GeorgeSSSS:
This project is starting to come together. However, the tire jack is behind the left side rear seat, preventing it from reclining. Anyone got any suggestions where or whether to move the jack?

Thanks,

George SSSS </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[GeorgeSSSS]

RI Hummer:

No problem: If my mechanic ends up doing it, I'll post complete instructions and photos. Any info from the Japanese company will be passed along as it comes in.

Where does SUT store the jack?

Thanks,

George

[Black 05]

Hi
I own a machine shop and can make it. But I need to see what I am making. If we buy one I will dulicate it for alot less than $800.00 a set. The Japanese copy our stuff we can copy theirs. From the picture I have seen it looks good. I don't want to re invent the wheel Keep us posted and I will see what I can do.

[RI Hummer]

The SUT jack is above the rear passenger tire well where the SUV has an open storage location.

[Lean Machine]

Has anyone made any headway on the reclining second row seat project? Any updated information would be appreciated

[GeorgeSSSS]

A company in Japan makes replacement hinges that convert the second row to reclining seats. I have ordered the parts and am waiting for them to arrive. So far, this looks like the best alternative. When parts arrive next week, I'll send out an interim report.

Best regards,

George

[GeorgeSSSS]

Friends:

The reclining second row seat parts arrived and they are first class quality. I'm going to have them installed in about the next 10 days and will report back then with pictures.

The fellow who manufactures these parts in Japan is an independent operator and seems like a very honorable fellow. We've exchanged a number of friendly e-mails to make sure everyone was happy with the way we are proceeding. Given the high quality of the product and the cost (and shortcomings) of the alternatives I explored, $900 delivered in California is a fair deal. There was no import duty.

I want to go on record as saying that I am opposed to unauthorized copying of the product of a decent guy who is trying to make a living. If he was a bum, I'd feel differently, but he isn't.

Best regards,

George

[Lean Machine]

GeorgeSSSS,
Can you update us on the reclining second row seat project? Any one else?

[GeorgeSSSS]

Lean Machine: I've gotten the seat brakets parts and they appear to be of very good design and quality. The company that makes them is owned by a very personable Japanese fellow who is about 35 years old, has a wife and child, and makes various after market car parts. He has one of the few H2s in Japan.

We plan to install the brackets next week and provide a complete report at that time.

Sorry it's taken me so long to install the brackets, but my Porsche 928 is in the shop because WE ARE WAITING FOR A PART WE NEED FROM GERMANY (first time) and my H2 is my main wheels until the Porsche is back in commission. The H2 is usually our weekend driver.

Best regards,

George

[GeorgeSSSS]

Friends:

I'm finally going to have the second row reclining mechanisms installed next week. Will report thereafter with photos.

Happy 4th of July, God Bless us All, and God Bless America.

George SSSS

[GeorgeSSSS]

I had a local body shop install the brackets I got from Japan that make the second row recline. The hardware works very well and I am 100% satisfied. My 12 year old son (who will be the primary user) tried it and immediately pronounced it "Cool."

I'll have a report with photos, budget, and manufacturer contact info in a few days.

Best regards,

George

[H2 SVO]

The first time I sat in the back of my H2 I noticed that I could not recline my seat. It realy irked me cause my Denali could.

I'd buy this kit but I think that $800 is wayy overpriced and its to risky to purchase this overseas. I don't have an issue a more local version....

[GeorgeSSSS]

I'm getting ahead of myself H2 SVO, but the manufacturer sent me an e-mail a few days ago saying the price for his kit is now $600. Based on the alternatives I researched, $900 (the originally quoted price) was easily the best deal I (or anyone else on this forum) could find. $600 is obviously a better deal.

I'll have a more complete report when I take photos to post this coming week.

Best regards,

George SSSS

[Dedo-man]

Keep us posted!!!
im looking forward to your reports as well... The one thing, of only a few, that I wish my H2 had!!!
I was thinking single capt.'s chairs like the Denali offers, but I know that is wishful thinking...