thinking about a split bench that folds forward into a level surface

[Pete M]

technically this would be for an XJ, but I guess there might be a reason for putting it in an MJ.  

 

anywho, I'm working on a hypothetical XJ build and looking to create a flat surface from front to back that I could use as a sleep surface (rear seats would be removed and replaced with a large platform).  looking for something like this but a split folding bench.  or I guess even these would work if someone could recognize what the heck they are out of.  I would just prefer a bench. (I tracked down the pics and the original owner has no idea what they are from)

 

 

[gogmorgo]

They look to me like they came out of a minivan. If not the front then maybe a captain's chair middle row.

For the most part minivan seats seem to be fairly "normal" seats that can be available both as benches or buckets, that mount via "leg" brackets to a flat floor. They also do convenient flips and folds for easy removal. The anchoring systems are a bit odd because of the quick-release nature of the seats, but probably not too awful to adapt...

My mind sprung to the late 90's/early 2000's GM minivans. We had one when I was a kid and I've had the misfortune of having to use a handful at work over the years. But there's a bunch of different bench options, various segmentations depending on how you want your split, middle and rear benches or captains, etc. But I wanna say they all fold mostly flat, some even have cup holders in the back of them, like the 50/50 split 3-person rear bench in this horrible video:

 

[SVPete]

Yepper, middle row captain's chairs. The ones in our 2000 Toyota Sienna fold just like the ones in the photo. Looks they are in a VW Mini-Bus.

[Pete M]

they are indeed in a bus.   good eye.

[masimmons25]

I can't member the build thread or if it was here or over at naxja, but someone swapped in seats from a version of the pt cruiser that flipped forward like this and had a hard plastic back.  I don't think it's all pt cruisers but if you found them they are probably narrower and a better fit than captains chairs from a van.

[JeepSchmidt O'Guinness]

I had similar thoughts about putting a bench in my 2dr XJ. But the fold down function is a beautiful mod idea. And even if the plane is higher than the cargo area, that leaves space for some padding!  

Does it have to be split because of the steering wheel? 

[Pete M]

yeah, I anticipate issues with the steering wheel.  but can't know for sure until I get one to measure.