I’m new to the forum and in the middle of upgrading a Cessna 182 TW conversion. We call it the 181.

We are trying to figure out options for a rear seat and there are lots of cons to what’s out there. I’m wondering if anyone has tried or if it would be possible to add seat rails to the rear and put the old style Cessna front seats in the back.

Those seats are more comfortable, sized for adults, could be moved forward or aft to account for adult passengers or cargo (CG dependent), and they can be found anywhere.

Thanks and I’m sure this will include some interesting discussion.

The rear of the cabin is not big enough to do this.

Kurt

What is the advantage of this over 206/207 seats?

asa wrote:What is the advantage of this over 206/207 seats?

Yep the 206 seat sit lower, I think the front seat would be to tall and would be at the wrong angle, the back seats are lower in the back vs the front to match the angle of the top of the fuselage as it slopes down as it goes back

I need to see pics of the conversion first so I can conceptualize what you are talking about....

My 180 actually has this mod, done under field approval back in 1968. I just looked back in my papers to find the field approval forms. They bought a brand new second set of front seats from Cessna to do it. Imagine what that would cost today.

I'm pretty sure these days it would be a lot easier to go with one of the STCs, but for what it's worth we've enjoyed the setup. I haven't noticed any weirdness with the seat heights or angles, and it makes it fairly quick to take out one or both seats. They're pretty comfy too.

Main downside is weight, but that's mostly due to the fancy upholstery on them.

Oregon180 wrote: My 180 actually has this mod, done under field approval back in 1968. …...

Can you post a pic?

Oregon 180 can you send a picture of that? I really think that is the best option for us. If we can get approval.

Oregon 180 can you send a picture of that? I really think that is the best option for us. If we can get approval.

My friend actually has had his 180 modded this way sometime back in the good ‘ole days. It is pretty slick, being able to throw the front seat in behind the pilot to carry longer loads. However after personally riding in the back seat for about an hour on a lumber run with him, I can tell you it will keep your chiropractor’s boat payments current for a couple months! (I’m 6’ 1”) I’ve thought of doing this to my 182, but I would cut the height of the seat frame down by several inches to give it a lower seating position for non-kids. His 180 uses sections of seat track cut down just large enough to span the seat attach points 12-18” long probably with the holes to engage the locking pins. I’ll try to go by and get some photos.

My 180 has the BAS (now Lakevue) folding seats, I like em.
I like the Dodge folders also.
Of course, I've never sat in either for other than a short flight.
A friend of mine took a stock bench rear seat, stripped all the upholstery padding & springs off of it,
repainted the framework, then covered the bottom & back with ceconite.
He mounted the seatback to the bench with hitch pins instead of bolts for easy disassembly.
It went in & out of the airplane very quickly, and wasn't bad to sit on as is.
He had his wife sew up a pad for the bottom and that was even better.
Had to buy the ceconite & paint but cost was nothing compared to BAS or similar.

I've been hoping we could get a lightweight aluminum or carbon bench that was easy to swap. Seems like good potential for weight savings and also ease of use

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