TheSamba.com :: View topic - considering retrofiting jumpseat from pick up like this....

Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:35 pm

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/720634760.html

I'm thinking it would just bolt up to the floor of my '87 westy, behind the front passenger seat, and turn it into a five seater. Any comments?

Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:46 pm

Good idea. do it! why not?...and document with pics.

Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:37 am

at the local pick&pull you can get a variety of mid 90s cab &half back jumpseats from mini-trucks and early suvs.. some look rather easy to install some are utilitarian but none would be $250..

My 1980 ASI Riveira came with a 5th rear facing 'jumpseat' / porta potty cabinet that was essentially plywood (nice laminate veneer) and upholstered foam cushions. it didn't allow the seat to swivel, though it could be removed.

Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:01 am

Right; I wasn't planning on calling the guy with the 2008 Ford. I just liked the idea of the gray leather with the fold down. Would fold out of the way when not in use, and provide another surface/set of cupholders.

Most of those little jump seats from the backs of extended cab compact pick ups rest the bottom cushion on the ledge of a hard surface; don't think that would work in this case.

I do think the jump seats from the back of a 90's land rover could be rigged up.

The Ford looked most appealing to me because it anchors to the floor. Would be easy in the Vanagon; drill four holes, weld up some baseplates with nuts attached, and weld those to the bottom of the van. Installation and removal of the seat would just involve four bolts.

Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:13 am

Seems the Eurovan could donate too. My mindset is Westy, and a big full sized seat takes a LOT of room. But a homebrew seat is not in the game either. Finding a small seat that is simple enough to install seems like a good idea. I like the idea of the removable seat from behind the passenger front in the Vanagon, but the stock bracket looks like it is just waiting to eat the flesh of my children when the seat is out.

Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:23 am

Agreed; those Westy full sized jump seats take up a lot of space. Particularly the forward facing ones. One of the members here has a rearward facing retrofit write up which looks pretty good, but again the size is an issue. The Ford center seat shown in the picture is maybe 1/2 or 2/3ds the width of such a seat. Probably not all that comfy for the long haul but it has a seat belt and would work in a pinch for short trips around town.

Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:05 pm

The only thing that I have to add to this is that most of those mini-truck jump seats are horribly uncomfortable...but as long as you always drive or sit shotgun I guess it doesnt matter too much.

really though before you buy anything I really recommend that you try it out first, some of them are real back breakers.

Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:33 pm

If you go with the VW version of the jumpseat, it doesn't take up too much space when open, will fold up like a theater seat, and is quickly and easily removed when not needed. If you can find the hardware and second seat, it's fairly simple to install. Several Samba members have done the same. Here are a few pictures for reference.

Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:52 pm

That looks great (way better than the ones that sit on a stationary box) and I'd probably do it if I could find the parts, but they're just not available from what I've seen.

Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:36 am

I've sent you a PM about a VW jumpseat that may be available. Kim

Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:23 pm

They pop up occasionally in the classifieds, and I actually picked mine up from Van-Cafe's used parts section on their website - http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=1198057632&pct=1456550857&ct=1042151861

Just make certain you buy one designed for the passenger side of the vehicle as the hardware is different from the driver side.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:14 am

Where do you find a jumpseat with armrests? Were those only available in Westfalias?

Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:03 am

None of the stock VW folding jumpseats had armrests. There was a prior thread in this forum that detailed this modification by a resourceful Vanagon owner

Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:17 pm

I found my information here for swapping out the seats with armrests. The jumpseat was never available in brown either, but if you have a donor seat, then it's fairly simple.

http://www.weidefamily.net/Vanagon/

Click on the INTERIOR tab, and then JUMPSEAT. Look around though, a fun website with a lot of useful ideas.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:50 am

There are a couple of jumpseats listed in theSamba classifieds, you might try that route.

Paul

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:26 am

Here I am skulking through here again because my Dad is restoring a Vanagon.

But, I gotta add...check out the Boat Stores, like West Marine. They have a bunch of fold up boat seats. Don't know how the bulkhead is configured on the Vanagons, but its a flat wall on my Bay. Thinking about mounting a seat to it and there is no pedistal or floor mount involved.

Steve

Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:29 am

this is the only one I see on the classified that I could get shipped.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=438075

At least it would fit in with that familiar "campfire" aroma all my clothes seem to have every time I come back from a trip in the Westy....

Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:35 am

While the ad doesn't say which side the seat fits on, it would appear (from the photo of the bracket & seatbelts) that it MAY be for the driver's side.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:33 pm

Hey 1621,

Any chance you have some measurements for the seat bracket installation? I am mostly interested in the placement of the bracket on the battery box wall. I have yet to install mine and any measurements or pictures would be helpful.

Mark

Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:01 pm

If you attach the bracket to the seat then place the seat in the van, you can then mark the location. I would move it up about 1/16" inch after you mark it. Depending what thickness floor and material you have, the location could be different. The best way to install it is to fit it in and mark it.