To remove the second row of seats from your 2000 Ford Explorer, simply unbolt them using a combination of a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-ended wrench set. Then, lean the seat forward, disconnect any wires, unclip the harness, and lift the seat out of the vehicle.

There’s a variety of reasons you might want to remove your Explorer’s second row of seats—to increase cargo space, to have them reupholstered, or even just to perform an extremely deep clean of your SUV’s interior. And while it will take a bit of elbow grease, these seats can be removed.

Jerry

, the only

car insurance

shopping super app, has compiled easy-to-follow directions for safely removing your 2000 Ford Explorer’s second row of seats. And to sweeten the deal, we’ve even added on some tips for securing affordable

Ford Explorer car insurance

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Can you remove the second-row seats from a 2000 Ford Explorer?

Yes—you can absolutely remove the second row of seats from your 2000 Ford Explorer. However, they’re not designed to be removed on a regular basis, so you’ll need a few tools.

You’ll also need to follow a few safety tips before getting started:

Double-check your airbags. Removing a seat from the second row of your Ford Explorer could affect the functionality of the airbags. Before letting a passenger ride in your vehicle with any of the seats removed, consult the

2000 Ford Explorer Owner Manual

Consider adding a tarp to the floor. Removing seats might expose some brackets and wiring. If you’re going to be using your vehicle while the seats are removed (i.e., to move cargo), consider covering the floor with a tarp or rug to protect your car, your items, and yourself from injury.

Don’t lose the bolts! When it’s time to put your seats back in, you’ll need all of the nuts and bolts to secure them properly. Keep them in a safe place so you don’t lose them!

Now, let’s go through the step-by-step process of removing your Explorer’s second row of seats.

MORE:

How to build a custom Ford Explorer

How to remove the second-row seats from a 2000 Ford Explorer

You can carefully remove your second row of seats in a few simple steps:

1. Open your car’s doors and look for the bolts located beneath your car’s seats.

2. Use a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and/or open-end wrench set to remove the bolts. The tools you use will be largely dependent on access, as well as your individual arm length. It may be easier to twist some bolts with a wrench rather than a ratchet and socket, depending on your measurements.

3. Lean the seat forward and disconnect the wiring that connects to the bottom of the seat.

4. Unclip the harness that attaches the seat to the floor. If this harness is difficult to unclip with your hands, you can use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the latch of the harness and pull it out.

5. Lift up the seat by placing one hand on the headrest and one hand on the bottom of the seat.

And that’s it! You’re ready to tackle any project that requires a roomy cabin—from a deep clean to a camping trip to a cross-country move.

MORE: Ford Explorer XLT towing capacity

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

How do you put the back seats down in a 2000 Ford Explorer?

If you need a little extra space, but not so much that it warrants total seat removal, you can fold your second row of seats down.

What you’ll need to do depends on whether or not your Explorer is equipped with power-fold technology:

If you have second-row power fold and tumble control, just press the appropriate button once and the seat will automatically fold and tumble forward.

You can also slide your second-row seats forward and back by lifting the bar under the front of the seat and then manually sliding the seat in either direction.

To manually adjust the recline of the seats, pull up on the lever that’s located on the side of the seat closest to the door and push the seat back or forward.

To manually fold your second-row seats flat, pull up on the same lever you use to recline the seats, but push the seat back all the way forward until it’s flat. Pulling the same lever all the way up will allow you to tumble the seat forward.

MORE:

Van vs. SUV

How to find affordable Ford Explorer car insurance

No matter what you use your Ford Explorer for, you’ll want to make sure it’s protected with the best car insurance policy out there. Unfortunately, shopping for car insurance can be an even bigger pain in the neck than removing all of your vehicle’s seats.

Have you ever filled out car insurance forms? Then you know how miserable it can be. When you finished the final questions, you probably weren't inspired to shop around and fill out more forms to make sure you were getting the best price.

That’s the story of how people end up paying too much for insurance. Who can blame you for thinking that the plan and price would be competitive, accurate, and fair after answering all those questions?

Jerry

is the best way to avoid all of that unnecessary work. Jerry contacts your insurance company to get the details of your current coverage so you don’t have to scale a mountain of questions. You get all the best prices and coverage with none of the legwork. And if that isn’t enough for you, Jerry can even help cancel your old policy.

“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. After
Jerry
found me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

FAQs

Does the Ford Explorer have removable seats?

Yes! Even though the Ford Explorer’s second row of seats aren’t designed to be removed on the regular, you can get them out with a few simple tools and a bit of elbow grease.

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry