Tilting backrow seats?

jimmyparky

New member
I wonder if anyone has modified the existing passenger bench to tilt back or even go flat. My major goal is to have a comfortable space for my kids in the back so I'm even thinking about folding sofa in the back. But I'd have no clue as to how to install it though. Anyone with experience?

James
 

sikwan

06 Tin Can
I took off the backside plastic cover of one of the passenger seats because I wanted to add some LATCH anchors.

While I would say anything is possible, doing it with the oem passenger seat will be a major headache. You would have to cutoff the posts and weld hinges. This is if you can find the right latching hinges and whether they will fit the application.

It would be easier to find something aftermarket that folds and then mount them to the Sprinter floor. :2cents:

:cheers:
Seek
 

georgetg

2005 140" low roof
I wanted tilting backrow seats also.

Looked at the inside of the oem seats, but their construction makes that type of modification difficult.

I also wanted seats on tracks that fold flat and fold into a bed and maybe some storage below the seat.

I liked how the sprinter seats have the seatbelt in the backrest and I really dislike the seatbelts dangeling from the walls...hat I really wanted was the seats from the VW Multivan T5.

So I bought them from Germany.
You can find the seats on eBay Germany.
vw multivan bench

Of course you'll need the tracks and you'll have to have them shipped, plus they don't usually take paypal.

I spent about 1600 Euros shipped to my house, but it took 4 months and was a major headache stateside dealing with the shipper and customs.

Also the sellers don't usually include the seatbelts for legal resons, so off to VW to get the parts.

more...
 

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georgetg

2005 140" low roof
...continued

The VW Multivan t5 tracks are about 1.5" tall and uses big M10 flat head lag bolts to anchor them to the floor.

I layed out the placement and spent quite some time checking above and below for placement that doesn't interfere with anything below the floor (brakelines, electrical, tank, etc...)

I decided to retain and cut the original floor and build it up later to be flush with the tracks.

The holes are 1/2" secured with heavy duty fender washers and M10 locknuts.
I made sure to vacuum up all metal shavings (rust!!!) and protect the exposed metal with zink primer. The washers are sealed to the floor with silicone and I will cover everything with underbody coating.

I built up the floor with 1/2" styrofoam and 1/2" birchply secured to the oem floor with birchply furring strips.

Topping it off is the original rubber floor, with cutouts for the tracks.

I'm still waiting for the VW endcaps for the tracks, they include tiedown anchors.

I'm still working on the bed extension. The folded seat is about 56" deep so I need another 30" to make a nice bed. I decided to build the bed extension myself with aluminum profiles from 8020

I'm happy with my project but it took me a looooooong time to get everything together.

For a simpler solution just for a bed, you might be able to "adopt" the new James Cook folding idea where the whole seat folds forward untill the backrest is horizontal.

Cheers
George
 

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georgetg

2005 140" low roof
Thanks Seek!

Here's a picture of the single seat, it swivels folds and reclines and also includes storage below. I runs on two tracks, so it can be placed in the center left or right of the four track layout.

The double tracks in the center can accomodate a sliding folding table, but I don't have the clearance in the front of my van once I install the fridge and microwave...

Also below a closeup of the outside and center tracks with the VW part number.

Cheers
George
 

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Zach Woods

New member
Howdy James -

Looks like you got some great responses already!

Here are some more options:

Discussion of the LTV electric sofa - http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580 - you may be able to order one from LTV

Reimo in Europe has options available but shipping could be pricey - http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=90&postcount=3

EuroCampers may have suggestions as they import lots of European camping items - http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=90&postcount=3

Try contacting Sprinter based RV manufacturers to see what they might have available - http://www.sprinter-source.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:RV or http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190

UK homebuilt camper site - http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2265&postcount=7

post 2006 Mercedes James Cook - http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85 - to see how their fold forward style seat works as suggested in a previous response - you will have to hunt for images that show how the seat back folds up and forward over the front seats.

Zach
 

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