LX700h 3rd row seat removal - step by step

[Eric Sorensen]

I removed the 3rd row seat on my LX700h Overtrail today. It took about 3 hours, but I had to figure it out by myself. No step-by-step on the internet that I could find. Here's how you do it:

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Swing up the flap and take out the tire tools. I found they will fit on top of the battery in the left compartment. Remove the covers.

Remove the flap

Pull off the back vertical cover

Remove the back cover

Pull off the front vertical panels

Pull out the carpet plugs

Pull back the carpet to expose the 4 seat bolts

Remove the front seat bolts - using a metric socket wrench

Hidden under a flap, is a bolt to remove the back carpeted section.

After removing the carpet, pull off the plastic back.

Slide to remove this do-hickey and tuck it under that white padding

Remove these bolts on both sides

Remove these 4 bolts that hold down the seats

Fold or unfold the seats. This is how they will stay when you remove them. I folded mine down for easier storage.

Unplug this thing that controls the seats.

SInce I can only post 15 pictures, the rest will be in the comments

 

[Eric Sorensen]

Continued -
I lifted the seats onto the plywood so the brackets wouldn't scrape accross the critical power cords.

Here they are gone. Now to put some things back.

Bolt these brackets back with one bolt.

Snap back this over plate, making sure the rubber is tucked under it.

Bolt this carpeted cover back.

3rd row gone! Now for a nice cover:

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I cut this out of 3/4" very flat plywood - the expensive stuff. I used the cargo mat as a template and added an extra 2" to reach the seats.

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This leaves a little cubby area to store a trailer hitch, air pump, and other car tools. I thought about making a hinge door, but you can get at it easy by tumbling over the seats.

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I bought this car carpet from Amazon and glued it down. Also wrapped the underneath with carpet to protect the battery. Also used a stable gun to hold the carpet tight. Amazon carpet I used: https://a.co/d/hrmXUQC

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Here it is completed. It is a friction fit so it can be removed. The color is very close. It rests on the steel cable guard toward the front, and the two brackets at the back, and the lip all around on the sides. I don't think it needs to be anchored down, and it doesn't drop onto the battery. The plywood is very stiff and stong.


With the cargo mat in place, I just need to clean up and I'm ready to go. My short wife can now load groceries and my total cargo space is greatly improved.

 

[BamBamSP]

Thank you for posting! I’m awaiting a 2-row Overtrail to be built but this may be an option that I wouldn’t have to wait forever for. Awesome pics and detail.

 

[El Chorizo]

Excellent write-up, thank you for sharing it!

 

[hilljf]

Great Job! I left the frame under the set over the battery until I sort out how to protect the battery and install a drawer system.

 

[Eric Sorensen]

Great Job! I left the frame under the set over the battery until I sort out how to protect the battery and install a drawer system.

I'm going r to use 3/4" plywood held up at the edges and evenly distributed over the battery with foam. I think that will be enough support, but I won't be hauling 1000lbs of bricks back there, either.

 

[supersix]

Awesome guide! Thank you for taking the time to post all the photos!

 

[Dragoon]

This is super helpful! Thank you for sharing!

 

[dieselking]

That's great!! I am going to do the same!! (I scanned this quickly whist multi-tasking.....is the rear rubber mat out of a LX600?....sorry if you explained that!!! Do you have a part number for the matt?)

 

[Eric Sorensen]

That's great!! I am going to do the same!! (I scanned this quickly whist multi-tasking.....is the rear rubber mat out of a LX600?....sorry if you explained that!!! Do you have a part number for the matt?)

I don't know the part number. But I purchased the mat from the parts department. They had two different ones and we tried both at the dealer. This one worked better.

 

[DHill]

Anyone know if it is possible to order the trim/carpet kit that would come with a factory 3rd row delete car? Would it fit correctly?

 

[hilljf]

Any idea what that green sensor is in the back which was attached to the lower bracket?

 

[Eric Sorensen]

Any idea what that green sensor is in the back which was attached to the lower bracket?

I have no idea, but it's not part of the wire harness that controled the seat. My guess is it's a water or heat sensor.

 

[hilljf]

I have no idea, but it's not part of the wire harness that controled the seat. My guess is it's a water or heat sensor.

That is my guess as well. How did you ensure that the plywood is not putting too much pressure on the wiring harness in the front of the battery, How to protect that has been one of the issues, I have been trying to solve. Great job btw.

 

[Eric Sorensen]

That is my guess as well. How did you ensure that the plywood is not putting too much pressure on the wiring harness in the front of the battery, How to protect that has been one of the issues, I have been trying to solve. Great job btw. Get is support

I cut the plywood to fit tight so it sits on the plastic side rails. Plus, there is a strong steel protective cover in the front center for the main cables that the plywood sits on. 3/4" plywood doesn't flex much so it seems to work. I was planning to put feet on the front behind the seats for support, but it doesn't seem necessary. The back is supported very well across and on those two brackets that I re-installed. I wrapped the plywood so it has carpet on the bottom possibly touching the battery enclosure to avoid rattles and give weight distribution, but it doesn't look like it's sitting on the battery box at all. I won't be pileing a thousand pounds of bricks back there, but I'm confident the battery is well protected for regular gear and luggage.

 

[Eficht]

If you did it again, how much time would you save from the three hours?

 

[Eric Sorensen]

If you did it again, how much time would you save from the three hours?

30 minutes to remove the seats, and probably an hour to make the carpet covered plywood cover.