Haven't driven the VX in a while (she's apart waiting to get the roof repainted), but when I did I really didn't ever use the back seat.  It's so hard to in and out of the back seat that I never offered to take people anywhere, although it was fun to watch people try to get in and out when I did.  When heading out to Moab or any other serious trip I would fold the back seat up to give myself as much cargo room as possible.  I eventually ended up adding some quick release pins to the back seat pivot points so I could take it out when needed.  The back seat is NOT light so it's a bit of a wrestling match every time I take it out and put it in, but it works.  I can have the back seat when needed, but can totally get it out of the way when I need to cargo room.
I would have to hunt around a bit, but a long ago member (Grandpa Bob) set his VX up as an adventure rig.  He had removed his back seat and filled the cargo area with storage and a bed.  Pretty sweet set-up.  I was told that he did the Rubicon Trail in his VX.
				
			 
			
		 
			
				
			
			
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