Seating for 6...Can it be done?

[ZSC100]

The shifters in other recent Ford vehicles that are rotary knobs share the exact same functionality, wiring plug, etc as the Lightning, except for the Manual button is replaced by a Neutral Hold button (which is hardly ever used). Order this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/125819638517
Plug it in as your shifter and report back here if it works,, If so there are a lot of people that would like to switch out their shifter to this anyway.

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[Commodore]

Stop and think about this for a minute. Do you really want to trust the safety and life of your grandchild to an improvised, non-Engineered, untested car seat installation? Your grandchildren are depending on you and their parents to make wise decisions for them until they are able to do it for themselves.

Man, I was thinking that I was just asking if there was any way to retrofit a bench seat....

 

[Zprime29]

Is there anyway to change-out or replace an F-150 Lightning console into a rear facing car seat ...for the new baby?

What would be unsafe?

I'm not a risk averse person, but the OP asked specifically about converting for the purpose of putting a new born baby in the front. Not safe even if the truck came with a factory installed bench seat. You won't find a single seat manufacturer that says it's ok to put their seat in the front. There's a plethora of reasons why a new born (or small children in general) shouldn't be in the front.

 

[Pioneer74]

I'm not a risk averse person, but the OP asked specifically about converting for the purpose of putting a new born baby in the front. Not safe even if the truck came with a factory installed bench seat. You won't find a single seat manufacturer that says it's ok to put their seat in the front. There's a plethora of reasons why a new born (or small children in general) shouldn't be in the front.

I get where you're coming from now. I agree that putting a child seat in the front is a no-go. But an adult could sit up there.

 

[COrocket]

Taking a second vehicle or getting a three row vehicle so all four kids can sit in the back seat is a much better solution, especially given the costs associated with trying to retrofit a bench seat in the Lightning. It's also a good long term solution that kids won't outgrow.

 

[Peddyr]

You need one of these bad boys below....or get a Expedition EL like my wife drives which comfortably fits 8.

 

[ZSC100]

A relative, 2 generations behind me was on a trip as a teenager from the Midwest to the West coast with his family of 4 kids in a station wagon. A front tire blew and the dad lost control, the vehicle rolled and 10+ bags of luggage tied to the roof (family vacation style) were strewn all over the highway/ditch. No one was wearing seat belts, they don't even recall if it had seat belts; arms, necks, and backs were broken, but luckily no one was ejected or died. I digress,,,,,, as an engineer I would totally take on the OP's project if it was my own desire. NO MATTER WHAT is done, with some common sense it will be 100 times safer than ANY decade- old vehicle. Remember, it's rear facing which means it could be nestled partially between the front seats even leaving room for the current gear shifter and cup holders I'd argue. Also leaving room for 3 seat belted passengers to comfortably sit in the rear. Air bags wouldn't be an issue as they are only centered on the driver and passenger. YOLO OP, we need industrious people solving unique issues, that's a principle that Ford was built on, and America.

 

[Zprime29]

Air bag deployment covers a good size margin to either side of the driver and passenger. Car seats, especially for new born, are quite wide. Almost a guarantee they'd hit the car seat. When I get time I'll see if I can find some specs to do the math.

 

[RickLightning]

A relative, 2 generations behind me was on a trip as a teenager from the Midwest to the West coast with his family of 4 kids in a station wagon. A front tire blew and the dad lost control, the vehicle rolled and 10+ bags of luggage tied to the roof (family vacation style) were strewn all over the highway/ditch. No one was wearing seat belts, they don't even recall if it had seat belts; arms, necks, and backs were broken, but luckily no one was ejected or died. I digress,,,,,, as an engineer I would totally take on the OP's project if it was my own desire. NO MATTER WHAT is done, with some common sense it will be 100 times safer than ANY decade- old vehicle. Remember, it's rear facing which means it could be nestled partially between the front seats even leaving room for the current gear shifter and cup holders I'd argue. Also leaving room for 3 seat belted passengers to comfortably sit in the rear. Air bags wouldn't be an issue as they are only centered on the driver and passenger. YOLO OP, we need industrious people solving unique issues, that's a principle that Ford was built on, and America.

This is a very dangerous recommendation.

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