[GTP#44]

I have had T1N and NCV3 $printers since 2005.
Now I am in a 2016 mid roof 148 Transit.
I test drove a 2015 before ordering mine in September.
Since November 28th I have put 1300 miles on it.
I am very pleased with my purchase so far.
This EB motor has plenty of power even loaded with racks and tools in the back.
Drives great.. handles great ….!
I had Line X applied to the cargo area floor and just up the sides that made it even quieter riding than new for sure…..kind of extra glued everything together.
Coming from a $printer I guess I was spoiled by the folding key.
This one is like a porcupine in your pocket.
The drivers seat is the most uncomfortable one I have sat in since I have been able to drive in 1985.
There is metal starting half way up the seat bottom right at the seam and going forward….why.?
There is a metal bar in the seat bottom back seam…why..?
There is only a small area supported under the seat by straps not HARD metal.
The seat foam is a joke.
Here is the question….
Pretty sure this is a Ford question but I thought I would give it shot.
I found a seat I would like to install on the drivers side.
Is there an air bag in the stock seat..?
If so I guess no seat change out..?
Any ideas …?

 

[jethaden]

Look under the seat and see if you can see a cable going up into the seat via a connector mounted to bottom of seat. If no wire, then I believe no airbag, unless you have power seats, in which case who knows. In 2015 the Air Bag in seat was an option. I do not know about 2016. My seats are airbag, have wires into bottom, and have a tag on outside seam edge of back saying Airbag.

 

[orton]

I do not have seat airbags. The seats are manual seats, not power. The passenger seat does not have any wires from the floor up into the seat. Have not looked under the driver's seat.

 

[RandomJoe]

The Order Guide for 2016 showed two options for the basic (non-power) seat. One with and one without airbag. When I was at the dealer I watched as they entered my order and when they got to the seats it only showed a single option for non-powered seat - and it didn't say whether it was with or without airbag. Will have to wait for it to arrive before I know which one I get.

I'm hoping it's without, the BEMM says you shouldn't do swivel seats if they have an airbag (though I don't understand what difference that would make) and I also thought I might go with better aftermarket seats in the future - I found the stock one okay but not especially comfortable. Might be an issue on longer drives.

...hm, did a little browsing and it appears at least some Ford seat airbags are simple wiring - the airbag module simply checks for the right resistance to verify it's there. If so, it's easy to put the right resistor values at the end to keep it happy. Hopefully that's the case for the Transit and Ford hasn't over-engineered yet again and put the darn things on the CAN bus like some other parts...!

 

[EddieZ]

I'm hoping it's without, the BEMM says you shouldn't do swivel seats if they have an airbag (though I don't understand what difference that would make)...

Depending on swivel design, it might be possible for the seat to go round and round (no stops), thus, potential for destroying wiring.

 

[audiopyle]

The Order Guide for 2016 showed two options for the basic (non-power) seat. One with and one without airbag. When I was at the dealer I watched as they entered my order and when they got to the seats it only showed a single option for non-powered seat - and it didn't say whether it was with or without airbag. Will have to wait for it to arrive before I know which one I get.

The upgrade with the airbag also includes the folding armrest passenger seat. I wanted that and the charcoal cloth, so I ordered the 21M seat option.

 

[GTP#44]

First thanks for all the replies.
I do have arm rest on both seats and an air bag tag on the side…
I had the seat loose to look under it and the black box that comes from the van has the seat belt and the air bag plugged into it.
Hopefully, like an above suggestion the correct resistor will work to remove the seat with air bag.

 

[Budsky]

I'm curious exactly which seat you have- mine are the plain pewter vinyl and IMO are very comfortable- I bought off the lot and was concerned the vinyl would bother me after years of cloth seats but so far they've been fine.