Baja 342 Back Seat Removal & Upgrade
 

A few of you asked me how to get the back seat out to service raw water pumps and make other things easier like change the plugs. Here are step by step instructions. I took the pictures last weekend so they arent in the heat of battle assembly but you will understand its simplicity.

Here is the typical 342 back seat.

First, open the back bench seats and remove the 5 (possibly 6) bolts that go into the spine of the seat back they go through the fiberglass into the bottom of the seat back. If you put your head in by your Perko switches, look up... In the pictures below, you can see the holes along the bottom of the seat support fiberglass.


Once they are out it gets a little harder, remove your speakers and reach in to take the bolt out directly behind the arm rest on BOTH sides behind where I am pointing. I also included pictures of where the hole was so you know how to get there. You will need a 1/4 drive ratchet. I think they were 7/16 but dont hold me to it as this was almost a year ago now. Dont drop the ratchet or you will have to take out the access panels to get it back. Trust me, dont drop it...

Once you have all the bolts out lightly scribe a line on the back side of the seat. This is where you will put the 1/4 x 2 inch aluminum angle.

Mine were 8 inches long, pre-drilled set them against the back of the seatback in the engine compartment, mark, drill and put two 1/4 20 stainless bolts through. Use nylock nuts, mine vibrated loose till I put nylocks on them.

To get the seat out after all the bolts are out slightly pull in on the two triangular arm rests to deflect them inward. Wiggle and pull up. It is hard to get out the first 3-4 times but now it comes out in about 1 minute. My back seat is firm and snug with the hatch down. I have no hardware holding it in. If anything, I might put one bolt in the bottom, but mine never moved even in rough offshore situations.

Done!

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.

Thank you so much. after the few pms, I had this idea, but seeing it give a lot more confidence in pulling them your self.

Kinda suppriosed this is not in the baja section... that's where i would search from something like this.

Have the flu and not hitting on all cylinders.

I will be out this weekend again, I will get a picture with the seat completely out so you can see how much room you've got.

OK after some looking around, I dont have speakers right where your are, so getting to the one bolt on each side may be more of a chore for me.
any ideas?


http://hornbucklemarine.net/phpBB3/d...ile.php?id=345

Under the rear seat there are access holes on each side with a round cover and 4 screws.

Or at least there is in mine. If not, maybe around the back from the engine compartment there is an access hole? Has to be something or they couldnt have assembled it....

Thanks I will be checking next time I get in the boat.