Just picked up a new to me '03 3500 CCLB Dually D/A. :cool2:

Its a base model with the 40/20/40 vinyl seats. Looks like the same seat as the one in my previous 6L gas powered LS, but w/o the fold down option for the center seat.

Anyone have any experience with either:
1. Removing this middle seat completely and installing a console type piece
2. Converting it to fold down

The better half wants it out of the way or folded down so she can reach the babies in the back seat. I also miss the armrest (folded down). Any options besides replacing the seat?
Thanks

Hey Lock - I had an 03 base model with those same seats & didn't like how the middle '20' portion wouldn't fold so I yanked it and bolted in a Tuffy security console, the kind with the padded armrest top. It was great! Very simple to do once I found the required 'reverse' torx bit. And GM in all their wisdom used two different sized bolts for the front and rear so I had to order the bit twice. :mad: Anyway, once you get the right bits, you have to take out both front seats because of the way the middle seat is 'sandwiched' between the two. BTW I used some blue loc-tite when I put the frony seats back in the truck.


Hope this hepls

Forgot to mention that converting the seat to fold down is a no-go. I pulled the upholstery off of mine and discovered that the seat is framed with two L-shaped steel pipe (about 1.5"o.d.) that would need to be cut. It wouldn't look too good & would be messy at best and possibly dangerous. The tuffy console worked great as it gave my wife and I access to the little ones in their car seats. Plus, with the heavy guage steel and stout cylinder lock, it gave me a secure place to store my "security system" ;)

Do you happen to still have the part #'s for the bits and the console you purchased. Sounds just like what I need!
Thanks

I ordered the 'External Bolt Torx Sockets' from www.wihatools.com (http://www.wihatools.com). I'm pretty sure they were size E20 and E22 but I'm not positive. I can check later. They fit on a standard 1/2" wrench. IIRC I had to use a short extension on a couple of bolts - can't remenber which ones. I'd be willing to throw the bits in a small box and ship em out to you to borrow for a while if you want - as long as you ship them back to me when you're done. I do remember them being about $12 or $15 bucks a piece with shipping :eek: so if you want to borrow mine, it'd save some $$.

As far as the console goes. I bought mine from www.mesa4x4.com (http://www.mesa4x4.com). I believe it was part # TF-032. It was the Series II Security Console with an extra slot for a CB. VERY cool unit. My wife thought it was a little too 'industrial' lookng though. Mesa had pretty good prices. If you call or email them, the'd be able to tell you exactly which size/part # you need.

Do you happen to still have the part #'s for the bits and the console you purchased. Sounds just like what I need!
Thanks

Regular sockets work just fine...save some cash...

Regular sockets work just fine...save some cash...

How did you get a regular socket to work? I was barely able to fit the Torx bit through the slots in the seat frame to reach the bolts. A regular socket definitely would not have fit.

How did you get a regular socket to work? I was barely able to fit the Torx bit through the slots in the seat frame to reach the bolts. A regular socket definitely would not have fit.

Use 6 point chrome sockets(metric) Have done this several times,we remove them at work and install desktop consoles and laptop tables in there placed. Also would use loctite on seat bolts.:grd: