GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2004 🢒 Yukon XL - 4WD 🢒 Seats and Restraint Systems 🢒 Rear Seats 🢒 50/50 Split Bench Seat

If your vehicle has a 50/50 split bench, the seatback(s) can be folded and the entire seat(s) tilted or removed from the vehicle.

Folding the Seatbacks

To fold the seatbacks, do the following:


    Object Number: 805043 Size: A3
  1. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1 located on the rear of the seatback, and push the seatback forward.

Unfolding the Seatbacks

Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

To return the seatbacks to the passenger position, do the following:


    Object Number: 805039 Size: A3
  1. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1 and then pull up on the seatback or the assist strap located on the outboard side of the seat until the seatback locks into the upright position.
  2. Push forward on the seatback to make sure it is locked into position.

Tilting the 50/50 Split Bench Seat
  1. Make sure the head restraints are completely lowered.
  2. Fold the seatbacks forward using the instructions listed previously.

    3. Object Number: 805050 Size: A2
  3. Unlatch the seat from the floor by pulling up on the lever labeled 2 located on the rear of the seat.
  4. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor and push it forward until it locks into place. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.

The seat will now remain locked in the upright position.

Returning the Seat(s) to an Upright Position

Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

To return the seatback to an upright position, do the following:


    Object Number: 805046 Size: B2
  1. Pull the lever labeled 3 toward you.
  2. While still holding the lever 3 toward you, grasp the top of the seat and pull it toward you slightly.
  3. Let go of lever 3 and pull the seat completely down.
  4. Push down on the seat firmly. Try pulling it up to be sure it is locked into place.

    5. Object Number: 805039 Size: A3
  5. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1 and then pull up on the seatback or the assist strap located on the outboard side of the seat until the seatback locks into the upright position.

Removing the 50/50 Split Bench Seats

To remove the 50/50 split bench seat, do the following:

  1. Open the liftgate.

    2. Object Number: 805043 Size: A3
  2. Fold the seatback forward onto the seat cushion by using the lever labeled 1. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.

    3. Object Number: 805050 Size: A2
  3. To unlatch the rear of the seat from the floor, pull up on the release lever labeled 2 at the rear of the seat, and lift the rear of the seat up from the floor.

    4. Object Number: 805041 Size: B2
  4. Squeeze the release handle while pulling the seat out.
  5. While holding the rear of the seat up, roll the seat out of the vehicle.

Reinstalling the 50/50 Split Bench Seat

Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

Caution: A seat that is not locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it.

Caution: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

To reinstall the 50/50 split bench, do the following:

  1. While holding the rear of the seat up, slide the front wheels into the slots on the floor. The front latches should lock into place. If the latches do not lock, try tilting the rear of the seat upwards.

    2. Object Number: 805039 Size: A3
  2. Once the latches are engaged, let the seat drop into place. Release the lever labeled 1 and pull the seatback up using the assist strap on the outboard side of the seat to return it to its upright position.
  3. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place. The seatback cannot be raised to the upright position unless the seat is secured to the floor.

50/50 Split Bench Seat Third Row

If your vehicle has a 50/50 split bench seat, the seatback(s) can be folded and the entire seat(s) can be tilted, or removed from the vehicle.

Folding the Seatback(s)

To fold the seatback, do the following:


Object Number: 805043 Size: A3
    • Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback, and push the seatback forward.

Unfolding the Seatback(s)

To return the seatback to the upright position, do the following:

  1. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback. Then pull up on seatback until it locks into the upright position.

    2. Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

  2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

Tilting the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s)

The seat(s) can be tilted forward for additional cargo space.

To tilt the seat, do the following:

  1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the 50/50 seat.
  2. Make sure the head restraints are completely lowered.
  3. Fold the seatbacks forward using the instructions listed under "Folding the Seatbacks" previously. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.

    4. Object Number: 805050 Size: A2
  4. Unlatch the seat from the floor by pulling up on the lever labeled 2, located next to the carrying handle at the rear of the seat.
  5. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor.
  6. Tilt the seat fully forward and lock it into place.
  7. Push and pull on the seat.

Put the seat in this position only when necessary for additional cargo space.

Returning the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s) from a Tilted Position

To return the seat to the normal seating position, do the following:

  1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the 50/50 seat.

    2. Object Number: 805046 Size: B2
  2. Pull the lever labeled 3 toward you.
  3. While still holding the lever 3 toward you, grasp the top of the seat and pull it toward you slightly.
  4. Let go of lever 3 and pull the seat completely down.
  5. Push down on the seat firmly. Try pulling it up to make sure it is locked in place.
  6. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback. Then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position.

    7. Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

  7. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

Removing the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s)

To remove the seat, do the following:

  1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the 50/50 seat and enter the rear of the vehicle.
  2. Fold the seatback forward using the instructions listed under "Folding the Seatbacks" previously. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.

    3. Object Number: 805050 Size: A2
  3. Unlatch the rear of the seat from the floor by pulling up on the release lever labeled 2, located next to the carrying handle at the rear of the seat.
  4. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor.

    5. Object Number: 805041 Size: B2
  5. Squeeze the release lever to release the seat from the floor, while pulling the seat out.
  6. While holding the rear of the seat up, roll the seat out of the vehicle.

Installing the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s)

Caution: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

To install the seat, do the following:

  1. Open the liftgate to access the rear of the vehicle.
  2. While holding the rear of the seat up, slide the front wheels into the slots on the floor. The front latches should lock into place. If the latches do not lock, try tilting the rear of the seat upward.
  3. Once the latches are engaged, let the seat drop into place.

    4. Caution: A seat that is not locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it.

  4. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place. The seatback cannot be raised to the upright position unless the seat is secured to the floor.
  5. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback. Then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position.

    6. Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

  6. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.