ZL1 1LE Rear Seat

DansZL1-1LE · 05-08-2024, 10:14 PM

Hello, I still feel like I am new to this as a 2023 ZL1 1LE owner. I know the rear seat fold-down is not available on my car for weight reasons. I saw videos on how to cut some fabric to gain access to the latch to manually unlatch the seat and fold it down. I tried it, I do not have a Latch. I would appreciate any information about how to just remove the Seat Back-Rest completely. Any other thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

arpad_m · 05-08-2024, 10:19 PM

Have you tried the "secondary hole" method on the backside of the rear seat, accessing it from the trunk?

DansZL1-1LE · 05-08-2024, 10:28 PM

I did see videos to cut fabric from the trunk side to gain access to the Latch, then manually unlatch it. I did try that. I cut fabric on the Trunk side where the Latch would be. There is no Latch. I think this is a 1LE thing.

Jofu · 05-09-2024, 05:07 AM

Hello there!

Yes, folding down the rear seat on ZL1 1LE is unnecessarily complicated... I've been able to fold it by randomly poking a long metal rod (screwdriver extension bar in my case) through the little flap at the top. I wasn't able to do it with my finger (or was too scared I'd end up cutting myself trying haha)

Without completely ripping the back of the seat's fabric, I wasn't able to understand the mechanism, nor was I able to attach some wire to make it easier next time around

Geoff

Z OH 6 · 05-09-2024, 06:57 AM

I would just remove the backseat if I owned a ZL1 1LE, its a track package therefore doesn't need the backseat. Sounds like a hassle to keep it installed anyway. Save even more weight with it removed.

NG329 · 05-09-2024, 08:56 AM

I've done this numerous times.

In the trunk you can get to the center of the back seat where there's a little piece of cloth covering the latch assembly. I've reached in and used a long socket wrench extender to press on the metal latch assembly and it works.

Fenmore · 05-09-2024, 09:17 AM

So if the seat is there....and the latch is there, but covered.
Where is the weight savings ???

Jofu · 05-09-2024, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenmore

So if the seat is there....and the latch is there, but covered.
Where is the weight savings ???

Is the backseat itself any different between ZL1 and ZL1 1LE? I haven't had a chance to look at a ZL1's backseat yet. Of course, even that would likely just be a very minimal weight saving...

Geoff

arpad_m · 05-09-2024, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenmore

So if the seat is there....and the latch is there, but covered.
Where is the weight savings ???

It's in the strap!! Every ounce counts on the track

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jofu

Is the backseat itself any different between ZL1 and ZL1 1LE? I haven't had a chance to look at a ZL1's backseat yet. Of course, even that would likely just be a very minimal weight saving...

Geoff

It should be the same, except for the attached strap that is missing on the ZL1 1LE for some weird reason.

Blackrat · 05-09-2024, 10:28 PM

Don't cut the fabric, it's behind the flap that's below the visible hole. Pull the flap down and prod around in there. You'll feel it. You don't need a tool or anything, although if you have shorter arms you might not be able to reach it.

nighttowl · 05-10-2024, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

It should be the same, except for the attached strap that is missing on the ZL1 1LE for some weird reason.

I read elsewhere on this forum that the ZLE seat doesnt have the bracing the regular seats have.

Bearded_Seamonkey · 05-10-2024, 09:43 AM

This video was posted on the forum years ago. Maybe it will help

DansZL1-1LE · 05-11-2024, 08:29 PM

Thanks to everyone for commenting. What is interesting, is my 2023 does not have a flap. That was the very first thing I looked for. So I made a cut in the fabric. I would be surprised if they made a design change, but I do not know what else it could be....??? No flap for me! Everything else I have seen says you have to lower the seat back to remove it, which I cannot do... so I am stuck!

05-08-2024, 10:14 PM	#1
DansZL1-1LE Drives: Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20	ZL1 1LE Rear Seat Hello, I still feel like I am new to this as a 2023 ZL1 1LE owner. I know the rear seat fold-down is not available on my car for weight reasons. I saw videos on how to cut some fabric to gain access to the latch to manually unlatch the seat and fold it down. I tried it, I do not have a Latch. I would appreciate any information about how to just remove the Seat Back-Rest completely. Any other thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

05-08-2024, 10:19 PM	#2
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 12,114 View My Garage	Have you tried the "secondary hole" method on the backside of the rear seat, accessing it from the trunk? __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

05-08-2024, 10:28 PM	#3
DansZL1-1LE Drives: Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20	I did see videos to cut fabric from the trunk side to gain access to the Latch, then manually unlatch it. I did try that. I cut fabric on the Trunk side where the Latch would be. There is no Latch. I think this is a 1LE thing.

05-09-2024, 05:07 AM	#4
Jofu Drives: 2022 Wild Cherry ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 468	Hello there! Yes, folding down the rear seat on ZL1 1LE is unnecessarily complicated... I've been able to fold it by randomly poking a long metal rod (screwdriver extension bar in my case) through the little flap at the top. I wasn't able to do it with my finger (or was too scared I'd end up cutting myself trying haha) Without completely ripping the back of the seat's fabric, I wasn't able to understand the mechanism, nor was I able to attach some wire to make it easier next time around Geoff

05-09-2024, 06:57 AM	#5
Z OH 6 Drives: 2021 Red Hot ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: GA Posts: 3,318	I would just remove the backseat if I owned a ZL1 1LE, its a track package therefore doesn't need the backseat. Sounds like a hassle to keep it installed anyway. Save even more weight with it removed.

05-09-2024, 08:56 AM	#6
NG329 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: NY Posts: 742	I've done this numerous times. In the trunk you can get to the center of the back seat where there's a little piece of cloth covering the latch assembly. I've reached in and used a long socket wrench extender to press on the metal latch assembly and it works.

05-09-2024, 09:17 AM	#7
Fenmore Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Indiana Posts: 47	So if the seat is there....and the latch is there, but covered. Where is the weight savings ???

05-09-2024, 10:28 PM	#10
Blackrat Drives: 2021 ZLE & 1972 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bay Area Posts: 16	Don't cut the fabric, it's behind the flap that's below the visible hole. Pull the flap down and prod around in there. You'll feel it. You don't need a tool or anything, although if you have shorter arms you might not be able to reach it.

05-11-2024, 08:29 PM	#13
DansZL1-1LE Drives: Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20	Thanks to everyone for commenting. What is interesting, is my 2023 does not have a flap. That was the very first thing I looked for. So I made a cut in the fabric. I would be surprised if they made a design change, but I do not know what else it could be....??? No flap for me! Everything else I have seen says you have to lower the seat back to remove it, which I cannot do... so I am stuck!

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