Midgate Question

[thumper05]

Hello all! This question has probably been asked before, but I'm new here so I'm going to ask anyway. Has anyone wished that they could lower only one side of the 60/40 split rear seat and still have access to the bed of the truck? When I travel I usually take my poochies and it would sure be nice if they could get to the back to lay down while my daughter still has somewhere to sit. Possible mod for this? Thanks.

JB

 

[jstrickl]

I think the consensus of the group is that this is a much needed upgrade. I believe that this modification will also make the group nervous as there are already enough with leaky midgates that more seals would be adding fuel to the fire regarding those with leaky Avs.

I haven't been able to figure why we have a 60/40 split rear seat since it really adds no value in this case. I'm sure it was just seating pulled from the rest of the GM truck line to cut costs.

Jamie

 

[thumper05]

After I asked this question I started thinking about if it would be possible to remove the midgate for a trip. I haven't looked yet but I wonder how difficult it would be to remove and replace it. Anyone tried it?

 

[FredRose]

Jamie,

I love the split rear set. Mine is almost always half down. The gym bag and computer sit in the cargo half and don't mess up my seats, yet the daughter has a seat without going through the change. Only flipping half the seat is lighter and easier as well.

But I would prefer a split midgate.

Fred

 

[jstrickl]

Good point Fred.

I guess there is more space there than I have tried to use. What do you use to prevent the seat back from crushing the silicon out of your computer when you hit the brakes?

Jamie

 

[DoogieDobe]

I read someplace that a guy was planning on replacing the midgate hinge pins with pull out pins to allow him to completly remove the midgate and be able to use one of the seats in the back.

I never found out if it worked, how heavy is the midgate, does this open up a can of midgate leaking worms....

Just wanted to mention that...

Doogie

 

[RedAV]

I haven't been able to figure why we have a 60/40 split rear seat since it really adds no value in this case. I'm sure it was just seating pulled from the rest of the GM truck line to cut costs.

Jamie

HMM, I don't know. Just this week for a few days I had the 40% side down I needed a "hard" surface to put some boxes and disn't want to mess up the seat. I also didn't want it in the back. It was some computer boxes and other stuff with sharp edges that would have cut the seat.

The Avalanche North Face pics show the 40% side down with a large backpack standing in that area. Tied down that is a good idea.

 

[jstrickl]

OK, so I can now see why the seats are split. But I'm sure GM knew we'd do the same and not drop the midgate. So why then doesn't the seat have a tether or latch to prevent it from crushing what is being stored/carried behind it. I guess that's why I didn't see that as a viable cargo option. If someone comes up with a unique method of preventing the seat back from coming slamming down, I'd implement that mod and then split the seats when hauling minor stuff with the midgate up. Otherwise, I have been just throwing everything in the back on the no-slip mat.

Jamie

 

[wrchism]

Seems that a 40/60 midgate split could be accomplished rather easily with a sawzall . . . but hey . . . you try it first and let me know how it worked out!

This would be a nice option, but indeed possibly technically challenging!

Regarding the 40/60 seat split, I too have used mine to carry a combination of stuff and kids. Works well.

 

[dgbryant]

Seems that a 40/60 midgate split could be accomplished rather easily with a sawzall ? . . . but hey . . . you try it first and let me know how it worked out!

I had a buddy in college that bought an old Mazda from some guy for less that a thousand bucks. First thing he did was make himself some T-tops using a sawzall. I watched him do it in complete horror. It actually worked out pretty nice after he got it trimmed out and installed some hardware.
He sold it 18 months later for more than he paid for it.

(you gotta love this country!!)

helmet

 

[kps]

Does anyone have the service manual/CD set? Woudn't it show how the midgate is installed? I'm sure if we had a good picture or diagram of that assembly, the collective minds of the club could figure out how to make the midgate removable.

I'm a little nervous about the sawzall route myself.....

 

[FredRose]

geez, a guy does a few hours of work and look how many posts come in

Jamie,

I don't understand. I lift the seat bottom and drop the seat back, have a nice hard area for stuff to sit on. I guess it would be nice if the seatbacks locked, but that would be just one more step when changing.

I learned to always drop the seatback after the first time it came crashing down.

Fred

 

[jstrickl]

OK Fred! I think I understand what you are saying. I was only envisioning pulling the seat-bottoms forward and not dropping the seat back as well. In this case, the bottoms would come crashing back down if not tethered or locked in place. My oversight -- sorry! I can totally see how that would be good small area storage now.

Jamie

 

[MrFish]

If someone comes up with a unique method of preventing the seat back from coming slamming down

When you pull up the seat-bottom it pulls a small cable. This cable unlocks the seat-back allowing it to fold forward. Cutting this cable will allow you to raise the seat-bottom while still having a locked seat-back. Adding a pull-tab to the seat-back-end of the cable will allow you to manuall unlock and fold it forward.

At least I think so ...

 

[jstrickl]

Now we're getting somewhere. But the seat bottom could still go falling back into place as nothing keeps it vertical except for the seat back when folded down, correct?

Jamie

 

[MrFish]

I've driven a couple times with the bottom unsecured. It actually just sits there. Maybe if you REALLY romp on the gas it'd topple over, but it's far more stable than the back.

 

[shafman1]

There's been a couple of time's where I wished I the mid-gate split myself. Especially with a car seat.