Install Passenger Seat T1N Mini Bus

[RobD1]

Hi, Im new to the forum and looking for advice with the below.
I have a 2005 Sprinter Mini bus, the passenger seat has been removed and steps installed in its place when originally converted.
Is there a way i can re-install a passenger seat?
They look to have cut away the original step in and replaced with a fibreglass box/bucket.
Im thinking about removing fibreglass glass section and welding in a new cill and step section and steel plate the floor where required.
Anyone ever completed this or similar?
Thanks

 

[hkpierce]

Since I don't have mind-meld or telepathic powers, you really need to give more information when you are asking specific Sprinter questions.

Which passenger seat (there 4 possible rows with up to 9 different passengers in OEM arrangement)?
You mention fiberglass box. What is this? What are the conversions done to this van? Pictures are worth a thousand words. In NAFTA, there where no Freightliner or Dodge minibus conversions sold as OEM. Is this an EU van?

You should modify your signature block to include your basic Sprinter information, such as outlined here:

How to create a Signature Block (holding your Sprinter's info)

Greetings to all new members... It really helps a lot if you put your Sprinter's MODEL YEAR and engine in your "signature block" (and/or under your avatar photo) You can fill in that block by clicking your username and then ... To actually **see** people's signature blocks, click the...

sprinter-source.com

Installing additional seats has been a common topic for over 20 years (including within the last week). Use the Advanced Search button at the upper right of your screen, and limit to T1N threads.

 

[Cheyenne]

I assume you mean passenger seat as in the co-pilot seat alongside the driver.

If so then find a donor van and cut the required section out and weld into your van.

 

[RobD1]

Hi @hkpierce and @Cheyenne,
Really appreciate both reply’s on the above apologies if not clear.
Yes, its the passenger next to the driver, this has been removed for access into the van/bus the fibre glass box/bucket is to widen the depth of the tread/step into the van. ill grab some photos over the weekend as its in my unit and post up.
ill also add some info in the signature block. (Im not sure of van specs i was given the van so may convert to a camper)
@hkpierce Its an EU van, i‘m in the UK
@Cheyenne ill have a look for any spare/repairs vans online in the UK.

 

[Nautamaran]

Its an EU van, i‘m in the UK

As a UK owner you’ll need to satisfy your MOT inspector, so it may be worth a phone call or visit to get some professional guidance. Presumably the air bag was also removed from the passenger position, which together with the seat belt tensioner will require some additional work if they are going to be required. The SRS controller would then also need to be updated/replaced to manage the additional devices.

It may well be worth paying for an MOT inspection if you have any doubts about the road-worthiness of the bus. Better to find any expensive issues now than to have them discovered after you’ve spent your budget on modifications. Something like a compromised rear spring mount is easy to miss at pre-purchase but become an instant fail during an MOT. My memory drifts to a thread last fall with a fellow in Spain with a similar mini-bus who’s conversion plans were derailed and transformed into a rust repair project after a closer inspection of the undercarriage.

A lot can go bad over twenty years, so proceed with caution.

-dave

 

[Cheyenne]

Presumably the air bag was also removed from the passenger position, which together with the seat belt tensioner will require some additional work if they are going to be required. The SRS controller would then also need to be updated/replaced to manage the additional devices.

It is very unlikely a 2005 Sprinter manufactured for the UK market will have any airbags or seat belt pre-tensioners as they were classifieds as commercial vehicles and hence fitment was not required.
My 2004 registered, chassis cab based MH has no airbags or pre-tensioners fitted and hence no SRS controller.

 

[Nautamaran]

Aside: Canadian DOT has similar exemptions for commercial vehicles… which extend to light trucks and SUVs for perhaps more than they should given their common use as daily drivers and family transportation?
Don’t get me started on the Hummer eV or Tesla’s cybertruck… 🤣

-dave

 

[RobD1]

Hi all,
Thanks for all the advice on this one, iv come to the conclusion its just not worth the hassle and iv sold the van for £1800 as i was given the van for nowt ill put it towards another T1N, ill look around over the next few weeks. Thanks again.