Page 20 of 437
1-8 Rear Seats
The rear seat is a 60/40 split rear seat that can be folded
to give you more cargo space and access to the folding
midgate. See ªMidgateº in the Index for more
information on operation of the folding midgate.
To fold either side of the seat do the following:
1. Push the rear head restraints all the way down.
Driver's Side
2. Place the seat belt
buckles through the
loops/pockets on the
seatback(s). This way,
the seat belts will be
easy to access when
the seats are returned
to the upright position.
Passenger Side
3. Pull the seat loop located
where the seatback and
seat cushion meet.
The seat will release
and allow you to tilt
it toward the front of
the vehicle.
Page 21 of 437
1-9
4. Grasp the seatback and pull it toward the front of the
vehicle. Push it down until it is flat. You may have to
move the front seats forward slightly to do this.
5. Repeat the procedure for the other side.
To return the seats to the normal position, pull the
seatback up and fold the seat cushion down.
Safety Belts: They're for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the air bag system.
CAUTION:
Don't let anyone ride where he or she can't wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you're not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers' belts
are fastened properly too.
Page 57 of 437

1-45
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing
child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be
anchored. In the United States, some child restraints
also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top
strap, it should be anchored.Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor
points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on
the same side of the vehicle as the seating position
where the child restraint will be placed. If you have an
adjustable head restraint, raise the head restraint and
route the top strap under it.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you'll be
ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the
top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions say.
An anchor loop bracket
for a top strap is located
on the back of the rear seat
frame above the floor for
each rear seating position.
In order to get to the
brackets, you'll have to
fold the rear seatback(s).
See ªRear Seatsº in the Index for information on folding
the rear seatbacks.
Page 82 of 437
2-14
Rear Glass Removal and Storage
CAUTION:
If the removable rear glass is not stored properly,
it could be thrown about the vehicle in a crash or
sudden maneuver. People in the vehicle could be
injured. Whenever you store the rear glass in the
vehicle, always be sure that it is stored securely in
the Midgate storage pocket.
Do not remove the rear glass when the rear defroster
is on. If you remove the rear glass with the rear defroster
on, you may see a discharge spark coming from the
latch area.
To remove the rear glass do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. See ªRear Seatsº in the Index
for more information. The front seats will have to
be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats to
fold completely.
Although the rear glass can be removed without
folding the rear seats, you will not be able to access
the rear glass storage pocket. Be sure to fold the
seats before removing the rear glass.
Page 88 of 437
2-20
Lowering the Midgate
The Midgate can be lowered to allow the cargo area
of your vehicle to extend into the cab. The rear glass
can be either installed in its normal position, or it can
be removed and stored in the rear glass storage pocket.
To lower the Midgate, do the following:
1. Fold the rear seats. The front seats will have to
be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats
to fold. See ªRear Seatsº in the Index for
more information.
At this point you may choose to remove the rear
glass following the instructions given previously
or leave the rear glass in place.
Rear Glass in Normal Position
2. Standing outside of the vehicle, place one hand
against the Midgate so it does not fall forward
unexpectedly. Turn the Midgate handle clockwise
and pull the Midgate toward you.
Page 263 of 437

4-52
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the
life of your vehicle.
Your warranty does not cover parts or components that
fail because of overloading.
This will help you decide how much cargo and installed
equipment your truck can carry.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
If you put things inside your vehicle
-- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don't leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don't leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
There's also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See ªLoading Your Vehicle for
Off
-Road Drivingº in the Index.