Third Row Retrofit complete

[Giblet]

Well, sadly due to parts inavailability it took longer than expected but the retrofit is complete!

Thanks to RMcQ for pertinent information and copious pics!

Total cost breakdown:

$260 seat (eBay)
$250 base parts (A6 Avant donor exchange)
$260 various parts (1stVWParts)
$150 Shokan (floor piece missing from donor)
$140 various parts (West Broad VW)
$90 replaced seat belt I messed up.
===================================
$1150 ($150 over project budget)

Anyway, I proved it can be done; whether it is the right thing to do for others, well that is your call. My kids love it of course and I am stoked about having seating for 7 while rowing through the gears!

1. There are no rear cupholders in the US - all "red" ordered from Germany.
2. West Broad VW may be cheap but they are slooooooowwwwww. It took 3 weeks to get an order done for items IN the US.
3. 1st VW Parts rocks! I was reticent to order from them because they are within the state and that means SALES TAX! They got my "red-order" from Germany shipped to me within 1 week! They are actually cheaper than West Broad but slightly more after tax for me (WA state).
4. The rear side cargo/D-pillar are easy to remove but a b!tch to put back in.
5. I would gladly "pay forward" to anyone else who wants to try this.

Here's the link to the original thread

[blackIIIroad]

[allroadbryan]

Any studies out there showing how safe it is if you are rear-ended?

[Petethepug]

I'm in So Cal (Dana Point).

Michael

[Mounty]

My recent 2001 ar purchase has led me to ponder the same thing. While I don't put them back there as an everyday occurance, I would not hesitate using the third row when the need arises. Overall it probably isn't much different than the back row of a mini-van (either way they are pretty much in the far rear) I'm glad to have the option

[RMcQ]

and there has been plenty of interest in doing it in the past. I believe your donor swap strategy was the key to your success. Otherwise it would just be stupid expensive.

[gragravar]

[TeddyBGame]

I love when someone on the forum proves that something can be done...when everyone else says that you can't. All that negativity can give you an extra boost to motivate you to get it done. I know that I have always posted that this upgrade/mod wasn't possible. You have proved me wrong.

did you have to do any welding?

Can yo

Did you replace any parts within the rear hatch? The factory setup has a interior door latch on the hatch.

How hard was it to add the rear seatbelts from the C-pillar?

Can you send me any additional pictures, post them...and include some parts#?

I order a lot of stuff from 1stvw too. Zeb is great to deal with.

Either way, nice work. I think the 3rd row option adds value to your car...if you ever resell it. Not to many avants/allroads with the 3rd row.

Nice work!!
-ted

[RMcQ]

[Giblet]

Ted,

Thanks for the kind words. I must say that it was challenging but no where near as "Jedi-like" as what you guys do with your electrical stuff!

A few quick answers:

>> did you have to do any welding?

Audi has all the mounting points already built into the frame - complete bolt on job.

>> Did you replace any parts within the rear hatch? The factory setup has a interior door latch on the hatch.

OK, here I cheated a little (for the time being). The donor car's system was a little roughed up and quite frankly when we tried to remove it initially we heard some unhealthy "pops" so I decided against that at this time. Interestingly enough it has a child-lock which pretty much negates its value if you use it. I have concerns of my kids trying to play with it and accidentally opening it; so I skipped it.

>> How hard was it to add the rear seatbelts from the C-pillar?

Everything is predrilled and ready for mounting. Very easy job. Just be very clear on which seat belt came from what side. They are extremely sensitive to gravity and the angle must be perfect for proper movement. The donor didn't mark them and I took both apart to get them to release. Unfortunately I took one apart a little too far. The hard part was that the donor car's C-pillar was a one piece without curtain airbags like the allroad so I actually templated out the mount and using a dremel cut the pass-thru on the C-pillar. The angle has to be just right so my first try was not the best - may have to replace it one day. The second one turned out very well. The trick was the use of wax paper as a template and then trace the outline on the inside of the C-pillar.

>>Either way, nice work. I think the 3rd row option adds value to your car...if you ever resell it. Not to many avants/allroads with the 3rd row.

When I read the statistics of how many allroads came in into the US with 3rd row (10%) and also how many overall were 6 speed (5%) I figured my odds of finding one with both were very low so I figured the transmission swap was more duanting. The 3rd row retrofit was the lesser of two evils! It definitely adds rareness to the vehicle. Value is sadly based on demand which is a fickle mistress but for me it was definitely worth it. Our family is out of town and it is nice to take the car packed and then move the seat into position when needed when we arrive and pick up family members. The kids of course love their cupholders and their "tree house" type seating.

I will itemize the purchased parts and provide a cost next to each tomorrow.