[CJitty]

Hey Everyone. First post here. In the market for 2021 Durango SRT. I had a 2013 Durango Citadel but we sold it since the rear facing carseat really exposed how tight the 2nd row was since we had to move front passenger seat forward to accommodate the car seat.

My question is, can anyone confirm that with the factory 3rd row delete that the 2nd row adds more legroom and the captains chairs now actually slide forward and backwards with that delete? I saw a review where it was mentioned they slide but wasn't demonstrated. I've never seen that in this vehicle. I've been looking all over the net and cannot confirm this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mikedm123]

2020 Durango SRT here- I am not certain but I am fairly sure it is the opposite. The middle (well rear seats now) are still the exact same and the only intention or goal is weight reduction.
I would just ask a dealership, it is kinda niche question is may be hard to get good info online.

 

[CJitty]

2020 Durango SRT here- I am not certain but I am fairly sure it is the opposite. The middle (well rear seats now) are still the exact same and the only intention or goal is weight reduction.
I would just ask a dealership, it is kinda niche question is may be hard to get good info online.

 

[CJitty]

Thanks. I've tried corporate customer service and the dealer and they can't answer. It's very strange. I am pretty certain the 3 row models do not have sliding 2nd row captains. But I watched a Raiti Review on Durango Hellcat which had the 3rd row delete.
At the 14 minute mark ...

It comes with a bench 60/40 split set up and he mentioned it slides but did not demonstrate it. So I asked in the comments, and no replies yet. So I'll have to call dealers to see if they have one in stock to see for myself but that's probably going to be tough to find since that's not a common option to get the delete. I sold my 2013 Citadel to get a Sequoia for the extra legroom in 2nd row. I'm keeping the Sequoia for wife to use and I want to get a SRT or maybe Hellcat. If the delete option does increase legroom for rear passengers, I'm sold. Otherwise, probably need to look at TRX, Rebel or maybe even a loaded Grand Cherokee L which seems to have that extra space.

 

[CWGrizzwold]

The factory 3rd row delete removes the third row and replaces it with the storage bins from the Durango Pursuit. It also removes the 2nd row captains chairs and replaces them with the 60/40 bench seat but it does not slide, only reclines. Find yourself any WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee and you will be able to try it out before you order it.

 

[Ill_smo_q]

I kind of have the opposite question, could I buy the bench seat and replace the captains chairs with it so that I get a total of SEVEN passengers? I feel if I am going to get a people hauler, I might as well haul as many as I can. I wonder if mounting points are the same but also wonder if you can even get to the rear with the bench seat (guessing not so easy).

 

[CWGrizzwold]

I kind of have the opposite question, could I buy the bench seat and replace the captains chairs with it so that I get a total of SEVEN passengers? I feel if I am going to get a people hauler, I might as well haul as many as I can. I wonder if mounting points are the same but also wonder if you can even get to the rear with the bench seat (guessing not so easy).

Yes. Mounting points are the same. However, if you want access to the third row you need to find a Durango (non-SRT) 2nd row bench as opposed to a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2nd row as the JGC ones don't fold and tumble to allow access to the third row as one doesn't exist in the Jeep (until now with the "L" of course).

 

[Ill_smo_q]

Yes. Mounting points are the same. However, if you want access to the third row you need to find a Durango (non-SRT) 2nd row bench as opposed to a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2nd row as the JGC ones don't fold and tumble to allow access to the third row as one doesn't exist in the Jeep (until now with the "L" of course).

interesting, why non SRT? I wonder what the cost is to maybe just order the bench seat independently and keep my oem ones for later resale when I sell the vehicle. Or do I need to find a bench seat owner who wants to upgrade to captains chairs because its going to be cost prohibitive ?

 

[CWGrizzwold]

interesting, why non SRT? I wonder what the cost is to maybe just order the bench seat independently and keep my oem ones for later resale when I sell the vehicle. Or do I need to find a bench seat owner who wants to upgrade to captains chairs because its going to be cost prohibitive ?

It goes back to my earlier comment about the middle row function. The Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) 2nd row and the Durango SRT (392 or Hellcat) are the same. The 60/40 splits only fold flat. They do not fold and tumble forward to allow access to the third row as there isn't a third row in either configuration. The only way to get the bench seat in the Durango SRT is the Lightweight package which deletes the third row. So, if you want to maintain your 3rd row functionality you need to get the standard Durango 2nd row bench that folds and tumbles. Only issue will be matching the material. Durango and Jeep SRT 2nd row 60/40 bench have black Nappa leather outers with suede seating sections. You would most likely have to get them reskinned.

To your second question, yes, I would keep your original captains chairs if you plan to resell your Durango Hellcat to keep the most value, but that is my opinion only. All of this is cost prohibitive, but I don't think any of us that buy these care about that. Heck, I swapped the front seats out in my 2014 Jeep SRT to add factory rear entertainment after delivery. All in I did it for about the same price of the factory option using parts out of a pre-production 2015 SRT that was sent to a scrap yard. If I had to buy all that new out of parts it would have been crazy expensive.

 

[Ill_smo_q]

It goes back to my earlier comment about the middle row function. The Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) 2nd row and the Durango SRT (392 or Hellcat) are the same. The 60/40 splits only fold flat. They do not fold and tumble forward to allow access to the third row as there isn't a third row in either configuration. The only way to get the bench seat in the Durango SRT is the Lightweight package which deletes the third row. So, if you want to maintain your 3rd row functionality you need to get the standard Durango 2nd row bench that folds and tumbles. Only issue will be matching the material. Durango and Jeep SRT 2nd row 60/40 bench have black Nappa leather outers with suede seating sections. You would most likely have to get them reskinned.

To your second question, yes, I would keep your original captains chairs if you plan to resell your Durango Hellcat to keep the most value, but that is my opinion only. All of this is cost prohibitive, but I don't think any of us that buy these care about that. Heck, I swapped the front seats out in my 2014 Jeep SRT to add factory rear entertainment after delivery. All in I did it for about the same price of the factory option using parts out of a pre-production 2015 SRT that was sent to a scrap yard. If I had to buy all that new out of parts it would have been crazy expensive.

Ahhhh so an SRT isn’t allowed to have bench seating AND 3rd row… but a ‘regular’ Durango can have that configuration (aka 7 seat setup). I had 2 Trackhawks so I totally know what your talking about in reference to that setup. However, I dont understand the non matching thing, unless you are assuming I have the red interior? I do not. But my guess is you are saying even the leather/Suede/alcontera setup in a hellcat/SRT wont match a ‘standard Durango’. So basically I couldn’t order a bench seat from a specific durango with a certain interior ‘option’ that would yield me the matching bench seat. I guess ever since my 2008 Jeep SRT I have been trying to build a fast 7 passenger Dodge 😂. Back then I was trying to convince my then wife that I should order ‘little buddy’ bench seat that was being sold by some 3rd party…. She wasn’t convinced it was safe so I never did it.

Thanks btw, I enjoy learning about this stuff even if it’s net result is that its not feasible.

 

[CWGrizzwold]

Ahhhh so an SRT isn’t allowed to have bench seating AND 3rd row… but a ‘regular’ Durango can have that configuration (aka 7 seat setup). I had 2 Trackhawks so I totally know what your talking about in reference to that setup. However, I dont understand the non matching thing, unless you are assuming I have the red interior? I do not. But my guess is you are saying even the leather/Suede/alcontera setup in a hellcat/SRT wont match a ‘standard Durango’. So basically I couldn’t order a bench seat from a specific durango with a certain interior ‘option’ that would yield me the matching bench seat. I guess ever since my 2008 Jeep SRT I have been trying to build a fast 7 passenger Dodge 😂. Back then I was trying to convince my then wife that I should order ‘little buddy’ bench seat that was being sold by some 3rd party…. She wasn’t convinced it was safe so I never did it.

Thanks btw, I enjoy learning about this stuff even if it’s net result is that its not feasible.

You're not the only one that has wanted their Durango Hellcat to have all 7 seats. Just not configurable that way on the SRTs and no, there isn't a part number that could be ordered that would give you a fold and tumble 2nd row 60/40 bench seat with a skin that would match your black Nappa leather with suede centers exactly. Closest you could get would be a faux leather black on all surfaces I think. Another bummer is that the SRT Hellcat embroidery doesn't exist on the bench seat option on the SRTs like it does on the captain's chairs.

 

[CWGrizzwold]

View attachment 579051
I don't always buy a 3 row SUV, but when I do I eliminate the third row.

3% (61) of the Durango Hellcat orders have been that way so far

 

[Ill_smo_q]

Ok so I found the ONE Durango you could order that would net you the 60/40 split with fold and go In leather and suede…. Its this:

Can you go build it to and confirm I am not crazy that THIS would be the solution?

 

[CWGrizzwold]

Yeah, that would probably be the seat assemblies (left hand and right hand) you would need that would be the closest to the stock material setup. Here is a picture from a 2019, but I found a 2021 as well online that looked the same. The suede centers on the non-SRT seats don't go all the way up to the headrest FYI.

 

[Ill_smo_q]

Very interesting! Seems semi Risky to attempt to order something like this in hopes of it’s actually matching and working correctly. Hmmm…