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Hi,

Can anyone tell me if there is a swivel seat base unit that will fit the new shape Transit on the market. I need the drivers side one but I have not yet been able to find anyone or manufacture that can help.

Regards

I am sure there are but I would be wary as the swivel fitted on the passenger side on our leaves me looking out of the top of the windscreen.

Also the handbrake/gearlever position would make it dificult to swivel it too.

alan

Have a look at http://www.sbmcc.co.uk/index.html They are a friendly bunch and there are some transit conversions on there who may be able to help you to locate your swivel.

Don

You are right Jana about being too high thats why I'm changing them. The drivers seat does clear providing you are on level groung and have it in 1st gear and it's supprising how much more room you have got not having the back of the drivers seat in the way.

Cheers for that Don, I will give them a ring tomorrow they might be able to help. I have used them before, sometime ago and they were pretty helpful then.

I convert panel vans as a hoppy and this is my 20th van that I have converted. The bed system that I use makes use of the driver and passenger seats as part of the bed either as singles or a double bed. I dont use the manufactures seats at all and remove them but this new Transit is proving to be a bit of a challenge as the seat base is 19" wide unlke most bases that are usually 12" ( too old for cent/metres) and the battery is sited below the seat with a flap type lid allowing access but, the bases I have always used only allow access from the front of the seat. You will be able to see the battery but you would not b able to remove it without taking the seat and base out!! and moving the battery really would be a night mare but, I will give thoses people a try. Many thanks Don

I have a 2 year old Chausson M/C/van on a Transit. This has seat swivels and this lifts the seats by about 2", just about tolerable for an average height man. The handbrake is a pain though, not only does the vehicle have to rely on 1st. gear or chocks as one has to release the brake to reverse the seat but it also gets in the way when moving into the back. Have look at a  L.H.D. Rimor Transit they have the handbrake transposed to the outside of the seat against the door. I think that this setup could be of Ford origin but always forget to look when I am in a dealers.

Chausson discard the seat box lid as the swivel plate does the same job. Checking the battery does require the removal of 4 Torx bolts and lifting the heavy seat though.

 Does anyone have a microcat dongle so that I can use an out of date parts disc.then I could answer the question easily

I started work as a Wheelwright and Carriage builder and in those days milliwhatsits were found under stones. Maybe they still are. Its only schoolteachers that push this centimetres nonsense, real engineers and builders Europewide use metres & mm's

Thanks for that. You never mentioned your name!

I usually use the LT Voltswagen bases and I have found that these actually reduce the hieght of the seat so I should'nt get the problem you are having. The bases are not so wide niether only 12 inches square in total, the Tansit base is 19" across the top of the base-box so I image it is a bit of a pain when trying to turn the seat.

I have thought about putting the base box on runners like the seat itself has so that I can slide the whole seat and box back. As I said above, the bases I have do have an opening at the front so I may be lucky and get away with it by doing it this way.

Moving the handbrake is not such a big job and seems like a good idea but consider this: buy an auotmatic vehicle take both seats out and replace them with a bench seat with a back that can be lowered to make a double bed. Mind you it means having to get out of the van and go into the side door whislt the back is up to make a cup of tea. Nah, perhaps it's not such a good idea we are all to lazy to even contemplate that!!!

Regards, Alan  

Hi Alan, I like the idea of the bench seat; but how about this? I have seen a Toyota with double pass. seat that tips back ( to get at engine) but someone put a plate under it, so that it could tip over & make a double seat faceing backwards - NO SWIVEL. but as you say...you have to get out to get in the back.

If you (or anyone else reading this) can make use of a new swivel for a 98 -01 transit; I have 2 left from my  job/hobby (used to sell motorcaravan bits - now retired) £50ea. They are the type which require the cutting off of the seat legs. If you want, I can fit them for you.

Any way...good luck. I'll keep watching.    Alan & Ingrid

The problem with the new Tranny seat box is that it is beautifully made and very safe and stable,  BUT it cannot be reduced in height due to the height of the battery stored within and there is certainly no room for it under the bonnet as per Mk1/11s. In addition Insurance Co.'s are getting pretty keen on seat mod's and anything non standard is a prime source of extra cost. I quite like the high driving position but it does tend to obscure those No waiting instructions high up on 10ft poles meant for stage coach drivers. There is no problem turning on the wide 19"" bases

Bill

Thank to : Alan & Ingrid

I have managed to sort out the problem now and thanks for the offer on the seats.

Thanks to Bill for the above comments. Sorry for the delay to all for not replying sooner, my computer has been down! so, my apoligies

I understand what you are saying about insurance companies but lets be fair do they really like anything about Motorhomes! Oh yes, they will take your money and give you a policy but when it comes to a claim different story as I recently had the misfortune to find out, my last Motor was stolen and I lost almost £10,000 on the claim and I only had the vehicle for a year. One lesson I have learnt from it all is not to own a coachbuilt again because if your van goes missing the insurance company just ring around all the Motorhome dealers to get prices on the same model and year then half the suggested values then knock abit more off to wind you up. Apparently there is no set book price on coachbiult vehicles. Anyone going for a new Motorhome should always take out CAP Insurance, I did not unfortunately because it was not widely advertised at the time. Now, Panel van with contents insurance ie, own tools!!

Hi Alan,

I have just sold my coachbuilt,to much money invested in it and too big to use as a second vehicle,We have just bought a tent to try a bit of camping but I am looking at converting a panel van as well.I like the look of the VW transporter its supposed to be the most car like to drive,but I am not sure if it will be big enough.What do you think of the new transit.I was thinking of a MWB semi high roof.I have two young kids to transport as well so will have to provide seating/belts in my layout.Where have you got to on yours

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve,

I think the new Transit would be alot better for you as you have 2 children. I have the long wheel base with semi high roof. Putting seat belts in the floor is not difficult to do, if ou are going to use donner belts then make sure that you get the floor bolts aswell, you will also need a 55mm sq plate with a hole in the centre this acts as a washer that is placed under neath the vans floor and must be at least 3mm thick

(1/8 inch), these sould have a layer of sealant on the side that is to face the floor this will stop and rot. the most important thing to do is to tighten the bolts until the plates take the shape of the floor so, put plenty of effort into them.

What ever you do dont use ordinary washers as they wont be acceptable.

I think you will find the MWB just a little too small for a decent layout.

Regards Alan

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the info,the problem is I want be able to use the van as a second vehicle,so length for parking etc is an issue.I don"t want to end up in the same situation as with the coachbuilt.Its always a compromise.I think will still use the tent alongside.I do think the transporter is too small.What sort of layout are you going for,I like the rear lounge layouts but would it be a comfortable ride that far back.I did wonder if there was some way of bringing the seating forward for travelling.Do you have any pics of your conversion by any chance

thanks

Steve