I have been trying to research the Durangos because my wife has spotted a few she can afford and I'd prefer she not get a 2nd gen Explorer. 3rd gen (02+) would be fine but they are hard to find at note lots.
There are many trim levels on the Durango. SXT models seem to be 5-passenger in all cases. I have yet to find an SXT with a third row seat. Sport models can have buckets or bench up front, buckets have a third row, benches do not. SLT models are the same way, when the bench is up front, there is never a third row.
A website or two has claimed 2002-2003 Durangos have a 3-passenger third row. I have never seen one, all first gen Durangos seem to have 2-passenger third row seats. So my first question is does anyone have a 98-03 Durango with a 3-passenger third row seat? This would lead me to believe the possibility of a 9-passenger Durango. The ideal situation would have:
First row: L:Me, C:16y/f, R:wife.
Second row: L:Scenera with 20mo/f forward, C:Scenera with 3mo/f rearward, R:14y/f
Third row: L:7y/m, C:Scenera with 3y/m forward, R:9y/f
This is how our Suburban is set up now, but without the 16y/f up front because she's only here a couple times a year.
I also wonder about the bench-seat equipped Durangos that have no third row. Is it possible to take a third row setup out of another Durango and put it in, giving 8-passenger capacity? Or even easier, take a bench out of one Durango and put it in a bucket seat Durango? This way the third row is stock and only the people up front have to worry about how well I torque down the bench and the belts? I imagine the front center occupant would never have a shoulder belt, but this would be a 14-year old who sits straight up (imagine that).
There are many trim levels on the Durango. SXT models seem to be 5-passenger in all cases. I have yet to find an SXT with a third row seat. Sport models can have buckets or bench up front, buckets have a third row, benches do not. SLT models are the same way, when the bench is up front, there is never a third row.
A website or two has claimed 2002-2003 Durangos have a 3-passenger third row. I have never seen one, all first gen Durangos seem to have 2-passenger third row seats. So my first question is does anyone have a 98-03 Durango with a 3-passenger third row seat? This would lead me to believe the possibility of a 9-passenger Durango. The ideal situation would have:
First row: L:Me, C:16y/f, R:wife.
Second row: L:Scenera with 20mo/f forward, C:Scenera with 3mo/f rearward, R:14y/f
Third row: L:7y/m, C:Scenera with 3y/m forward, R:9y/f
This is how our Suburban is set up now, but without the 16y/f up front because she's only here a couple times a year.
I also wonder about the bench-seat equipped Durangos that have no third row. Is it possible to take a third row setup out of another Durango and put it in, giving 8-passenger capacity? Or even easier, take a bench out of one Durango and put it in a bucket seat Durango? This way the third row is stock and only the people up front have to worry about how well I torque down the bench and the belts? I imagine the front center occupant would never have a shoulder belt, but this would be a 14-year old who sits straight up (imagine that).
You would also need to check the vehicle manual about whether it's even allowable to install a child restraint at all in the front seat's center position due to proximity to frontal airbags. A rear facing child restraint should never be installed directly in front of an active airbag and the vehicle's owner's manual may also prohibit a rear facing or forward facing installation in the front center lap-belt only position. Even if the manual allows a center front seat installation, I would be hesitant to do so, except as a last resort, due to the back seat being significantly safer statistically in the event of a crash. Another option to consider would be possibly driving two vehicles instead of one, or renting a larger vehicle when you would need seating for 9 occupants. :twocents:
