[DIY] 92-95 2DR & 3DR JDM/EDM Civic "Walk-in" Rear Passenger Seating Upgrade

OK, all my other DIYs are really long. This one I'm going to keep short. And this is my first DIY that doesn't involve wiring. Hurrah.

It frustrates me to no end at how Honda really cheaped-out on our Civics here in North America. There's a list as long as your arm of options, upgrades and "those little differences" and attention to detail that Europe and Japan got, that never saw the light of day in North America. This is the way it is in North America where we associate small cars with "Economy" and don't seem to want or need fancy options (like even power windows or locks, or a bloody trunk light).

(As an aside, small cars are wayyyy more popular in Canada than the US, but we still don't get the kinds of options and trim levels in our small cars here due to the accident of geography and the enormous buying power of our southern neighbour. That's why you'll still see ten trim levels of SUVs or trucks and only three or four for the small cars, even though the small cars are more popular here .... because Americans still love their big vehicles, and all these trim levels pour over to our country.)

One option the Europeans got (and the Japanese?) was a seat that "shoots forward" on the 2DR and 3DR models when you tilt the back of the Passenger Side seat. Honda calls this a "Walk-In Rear Seat". Normally here in North America, the seat back just tilts forward and you have to squeeze yourself through to the back seat. Not really that great of a design.

At this point, owners of a 94-95 CDM 2DR Civic Si or 94-95 USDM 2DR Civic EX are getting their knickers in a twist, because they are saying "hey, my car already does that!" This, of course, is true. They are the only ones graced with such a luxurious(!) option. Now, owners of all other 2/3DR Civics should go out and find themselves some seat rails from those aforementioned cars from the salvage yard, as they will bolt right up to your existing seat. And then you, too, can sport another EDM/JDM feature on your car.

Figure 1 shows the difference between the seat rails of a 94 CDM 3DR Civic CX and a 95 CDM 2DR Civic Si:

Figure 1. Comparison of seat rails for 94-95 Civic 2DR CDM Si / USDM EX, with "Walk-in Rear Seating", and all other CDM and
USDM 2DR and 3 DR models. (1) is design difference to seat-back spring, (2) is connection point of the "Walk-in Cable" which, when pulled, releases the latch
on the opposite seat rail which is connected to the spring (3) that pulls the seat forward.

Good luck and enjoy your new seating arrangements.
DeSchlong
October, 2009

 

i was thinking about this the other day when i got into a friends car and i really wish my 96' would do this. im going to find out if theres any seats that do it for 6th gens.

Thanks.

 

Love your DIYs man. Its really a PITA to get in the back seat. So what exactly does this do? It pushes the seat forward versus pulling the lever up in front of the seat and pulling the seat forward manually?

 

yessss. does both with one lever. slides forward and bends forward.

 

Man, all these options and **** that ******* documents is amazing. Some of the stuff he showcases i had never heard of and I am a die hard EG fan. I'm on H-T every day since around 05. I love the 5th gen because of this reason, it was so ahead of its time that even today, I dont look at it as outdated. Great cargo space, gas mileage, many swap options if you want more power and all these little trinkets. I mean come on, headlight washers? Thats some Audi ****! Heated seats in 92! Dammn. Cabin air filter, factory GPS unit, power folding heated mirrors, etc.

Ah I love hatchbacks!

 

Thanks guys.... I'm afraid, though, that my supply of 5th Gen tricks is running pretty low...

FYI: The 6th Generation 2DR EX, HX and Si models all have the walk-in rear seat. These seat rails should swap over directly to your 3DR.

 

i never thought that these werent on the previous year EX's

i have the 94 ex and wow!!! i never appreciated the walk in passenger seat feature.

i jsut wish that they could have done the same with the driver's side seat

as stupid as my friends are, they want to get in on BOTH sides. i hate them now

 

Just to add to the write up a bit,

My 1997 civic ex has the said "walk-in" seats (at least the passengersiade does!)

 

I put in em1 seats and had this feature i didnt know it was special though.
And like 6 months ago it stopped working.
Am I going to have to find a new si rail?

 

Thank you! ill be visiting the junkyard tomorrow. :D

 

Ah, I got this feature when I swapped my stock seats for 2001 GSR leathers. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I just want to seat to stay put though. But overall, I think it's a good feature.

Just got a call from the fab shop...my rear JDM seats are ready to go in!

fm

 

hahah i owned a 93 dx and im graced with that option lol

 

This is a sweet mod.

 

hmmmm I would assume the RHD cars got this feature as well, which means it should be possible to have both seats do this if one where to find the rails from one...

 

I would definitely do both myself.