TheSamba.com :: View topic - Late bay deluxe back seat in Early bay deluxe

Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:05 pm

Has anybody ever installed a late baywindow rear seat backrest in an early baywindow. The bottom goes in no problem but the backrest must be different as I don't have the hole for hinge bracket in my van.

Let me know what you have done or any ideas and photos.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:36 pm

You'll have to get creative, the seat belt holes on the fenderwells are in the wrong spots too, no bolting the hinges to them like they did in the late bus.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:25 pm

Are the two not the same?

I have a late bay middle bench seat in my early bay.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:39 pm

what are the cutoff years? I'm looking to get a rear seat in my 72. -I've seen ads that say 68-71, but it's hard to be certain.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:27 pm

Middle bench fits all years, but that late folding back seat with the hinge plates that bolt down with the outer seatbellts won't fit an early bus easily, the seatbelt holes moved out and down around 74-75 IIRC.
Next time I'm in the parts stash I'll have a look to narrow down the years unless someone beats me to it.

Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:20 pm

How does the early seat mount then? My van didn't come with a rear seat and I like the idea that the late seat folds thats why I went with it. Good thing I tried to fit it before I sent it out for new upholstery.

Can it be done? Anybody out there tried this?

Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:33 am

The early seat has a tab in the middle on the bottom that tucks into a bracket welded to the sloping part of the cargo shelf. The upper sides are attached to the side walls with L brackets. If your bus was a Westfalia or panelvan (some Kombi's too) it may not have the threaded hole on the sidewall where the L bracket attaches. The late folding seat uses the same hole with a longer bolt and a spacer bushing IIRC to form a stud for the latch to grab.