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removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 5:27 pm
by Dr Fingers
Leaning towards a rear conversion, but need to retain belted rear seats. As I have the old 'splitty' rear seats, the thought occurs, could I take the backs off? That way they could still fold upwards, clearing the transverse kitchen unit, but could also seat passengers, when down, using the original 3 point rear set belts. Passengers could have temporary foam backrests in lieu of the original backs.

When folded down, they could form a bed with the (reversed) midseats. Any one done this, or am I missing something?

Derek

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 8:24 pm
by Bob
I wouldn't think that mod would be road legal, and your insurers would need to know. :(

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 11:35 pm
by Dr Fingers
Why not legal? Seat bases would be original, with their factory 'clamps' to the floor, as would the three point belts.the backs would be replaced by 'alternative' padding fixed to the (fixed) kitchen unit..

Might fly it past the Admiral, in any case. :wink:

Derek

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 11:49 pm
by Bob
Good idea, see what they say. :)

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 12:07 am
by Simon Jones
How well would the rear conversion be fixed in place? Just thinking in the event of a rear end shunt, a bit of foam fixed to part of conversion would not give protection to anyone sat on the seat if the conversion slid forward.

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:37 pm
by Northern Bongolow
someone who shall remain nameless ran into the back of the car in front, their rear conversion complete with gas bottle locker didnt stop but the bongo did.

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:59 pm
by Bob
Its in the back of my head that seats are included in C&U Regs.

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:23 pm
by Alkers
Look at putting the kitchen on the back of the middle row of seats as per my thread...

Re: removing the back of split seats?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:53 pm
by Dr Fingers
Simon Jones wrote:How well would the rear conversion be fixed in place? Just thinking in the event of a rear end shunt, a bit of foam fixed to part of conversion would not give protection to anyone sat on the seat if the conversion slid forward.
Good question. I will ask the conversion people. They are well-known and reputable. However, the rear seats will still be 'anchored' by the original factory clamps, with the kitchen unit butting up against them. I can't imagine that the kitchen unit could do anything other than crumple in that scenario.


Derek