Fold down rear seat mod tutorial

[A-TEAM]

Since I couldn’t find any good Information on modding the rear seat to fold down, I decided to tackle the mod and share. Ive done this on a dakota and a 4th gen ram and the 5th gen is very similar.

Why do this? The basic trim levels of this truck have seats that fold up, but the backs do not fold down. On bighorn trim there is actually a bit of room back there for storage. It looks small but the liner can be pushed in and/or removed and its a good amount of hidden storage space back there. Perfect for a bug out bag, first aid kit, long gun in a case, you get the idea.

Tools required: 18mm socket, E12 star socket, measuring tape, cutoff wheel or hacksaw, ear and eye protection.

Time required: ~1 hour.

The pics will explain most but basically you remove the rear seat by removing the bolts. You measure out the hooks on the rear 1.5” from the end and cut them off on a slight angle. You reinstall the seat then enjoy being able to fold down the back to access the “hidden” storage area. The bottom must be raised to about a 45* angle to unlock or relock the rear. I only did the drivers side but the passenger side is the same method.

Happy RAM modding!

 

[djevox]

Stickied.

 

[Rick3478]

Thanks for the photos, I haven't seen that part of mine (yet). Wow, those hooks look way over-engineered for what they do. Makes me wonder if the extra shapes have any function. Does the seat back rattle or anything after the modification?

Have you had the cab liner out? Wondering how much additional room is available. I'm thinking about air assist bags on the rear axle, and looking for somewhere to mount a compressor, does that sound like a possibility?

 

[djevox]

Thanks for the photos, I haven't seen that part of mine (yet). Wow, those hooks look way over-engineered for what they do. Makes me wonder if the extra shapes have any function. Does the seat back rattle or anything after the modification?

Have you had the cab liner out? Wondering how much additional room is available. I'm thinking about air assist bags on the rear axle, and looking for somewhere to mount a compressor, does that sound like a possibility?

That would be obnoxiously loud in the cab and there’s a threat of overheating. Under the driver’s front cab area would work if you don’t have an ecodiesel.

 

[A-TEAM]

Nothing rattles at all, locks in the same way as the Uncut hooks. This is my 3rd truck dodge/ram truck doing this to and I’ve never had any long term issues. My other ram I had both sides done to fit a sub, but this 5th gen has a factory alpine sub in the corner of the pass side.

Also, Looks like you could fit a small compressor in there easily.

 

[20 Ram North]

I'm going to do this, just for making it easier to run the strap for a car seat easier! No more forcing the buckle between the head rest and glass.

 

[theblet]

When you do this mod, can you still put the seat bottoms in the upright position and drive, or do the seats fall back down since the backs are no longer connected?

 

[Scram1500]

Is this a crew cab? I was going to do this mod but the quad cab seatbacks are locked in place and do not move when folding the seat bottom.

 

[MikeyHo808]

Awesome! Did this to my 3rd Gen, but that mod involved just flipping the hook.
Need to do this…thanks for the write up.
Mods, thanks for sticking this thread.

 

[Rick3478]

This all makes me wonder what Ram had in mind with this setup. Why make hooks that slide if they don't slide far enough to do anything? Is this a leftover from some more elaborate design where they actually did something? Just curious, sometimes things make me say "hmmm..."

 

[Nsleone]

This all makes me wonder what Ram had in mind with this setup. Why make hooks that slide if they don't slide far enough to do anything? Is this a leftover from some more elaborate design where they actually did something? Just curious, sometimes things make me say "hmmm..."

Maybe it’s something to do with the rear reclining seat option? That’s my bust guess, and they just use the same hooks for all setbacks regardless of if the truck has that option.

Or its just to make factory install of the rear seats quicker, I have no idea

 

[djevox]

Maybe it’s something to do with the rear reclining seat option? That’s my bust guess, and they just use the same hooks for all setbacks regardless of if the truck has that option.

Or its just to make factory install of the rear seats quicker, I have no idea

That’s what I assumed also.

 

[A-TEAM]

When you do this mod, can you still put the seat bottoms in the upright position and drive, or do the seats fall back down since the backs are no longer connected?

They still stay upright, there seems to be a detent built into the raised position. Its not quite as tight but it still stays up. If you really want to make it tighter you could probably cut slightly less, like 1.25” off the hooks and then its really tight to get it to fold down or reattach. Thats how my 4th gen was but it just makes it harder to fold down and binds up a bit, which is why I think the 1.5” is the sweet spot.

 

[theblet]

This all makes me wonder what Ram had in mind with this setup. Why make hooks that slide if they don't slide far enough to do anything? Is this a leftover from some more elaborate design where they actually did something? Just curious, sometimes things make me say "hmmm..."

Supposedly the reclining seats have a built in release you can access through the arm rest hole.

 

[A-TEAM]

Is this a crew cab? I was going to do this mod but the quad cab seatbacks are locked in place and do not move when folding the seat bottom.

Yes this is a crew cab, bighorn trim.

 

[GP-TEK]

Since I couldn’t find any good Information on modding the rear seat to fold down, I decided to tackle the mod and share. Ive done this on a dakota and a 4th gen ram and the 5th gen is very similar.

Why do this? The basic trim levels of this truck have seats that fold up, but the backs do not fold down. On bighorn trim there is actually a bit of room back there for storage. It looks small but the liner can be pushed in and/or removed and its a good amount of hidden storage space back there. Perfect for a bug out bag, first aid kit, long gun in a case, you get the idea.

Tools required: 18mm socket, E12 star socket, measuring tape, cutoff wheel or hacksaw, ear and eye protection.

Time required: ~1 hour.

The pics will explain most but basically you remove the rear seat by removing the bolts. You measure out the hooks on the rear 1.5” from the end and cut them off on a slight angle. You reinstall the seat then enjoy being able to fold down the back to access the “hidden” storage area. The bottom must be raised to about a 45* angle to unlock or relock the rear. I only did the drivers side but the passenger side is the same method.

Happy RAM modding!

Is there a finished product photo? Thanks for all the info!

 

[A-TEAM]

I'm going to do this, just for making it easier to run the strap for a car seat easier! No more forcing the buckle between the head rest and glass.

I run car seats too… I actually removed the headrests on the first day of ownership despite being told they “couldn’t be removed” If I remember correctly I used a paperclip to unlock them.

 

[A-TEAM]

Is there a finished product photo? Thanks for all the info!

Yes the last couple pics show the finished product. Look closely.

 

[GP-TEK]

Yes the last couple pics show the finished product. Look closely.

Thanks A-Team! You cut the hooks. I read it like you were also going to cut the carpet area. My mistake.

 

[A-TEAM]

If I end up cutting out the liner ill post up the pics!