TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:03 pm

After struggling with the idea of incorrect seats in my bus, I'm over it!
My seats are in need of redoing and the passenger seat is ready for the trash ( welded broken springs are never the same ).
While my bus isn't bone stock, I don't like doing irreversible mods to it. I've figured out how to get the vanagon seats in without harming the stock seat mounting. I can swap seats in about 5 minutes and noone will ever know.

Here are the passenger mounts. The left one bolts in and the right was welded. Just drill out the welds and make it bolt on if you want to put them back in.

I made tabs and welded them to each inside corner on the passenger seat. They are place at angles to match the seat stand. Just thru bolt.
This shows the drivers seat. The inside bend has been cut off and a small section on the outside as well for clearance in the stock sliders. Both sides have been cut the same. The seat now slides right in. The locking mechanism has been removed, it's a different type. I will put a bolt in front and behind the seat to lock it in place.
Pretty simple swap for $50 junkyard seats. Not sure what I'm going to cover them with. I'll post finished pics when I'm done.
I hope this helps anyone that has been considering doing this.

Sun Feb 26, 2006 8:32 pm

lOOKS GREAT SO FAR! CAN/T WAIT TO SEE THE THE SEATS INSTALLED.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE A ARM REST. IT WOULD MAKE THE LONG TRIPS IN MY 70 BAY MORE ENJOYABLE. GONNA START LOOKING FOR SOME VANAGON SEATS!

GOOD LUCK!

Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:39 am

What is the mounting hardware on your early seats? Looks like your new mount doesn't allow for front to rear adjustment.

Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:30 pm

Early seats didn't have sliding adjustability on the passenger seat, only upright and slightly less upright. :) The driver's seat is adjustable in the track but the locking mechanism is different. Because of this, a position has to be chosen and then securely mounted there. I found a comfortable position that works in the upright and reclined positions, so it's all good :D

Wed Oct 08, 2025 8:29 am

sxuxrxf wrote: After struggling with the idea of incorrect seats in my bus, I'm over it!
My seats are in need of redoing and the passenger seat is ready for the trash ( welded broken springs are never the same ).
While my bus isn't bone stock, I don't like doing irreversible mods to it. I've figured out how to get the vanagon seats in without harming the stock seat mounting. I can swap seats in about 5 minutes and noone will ever know.

Here are the passenger mounts. The left one bolts in and the right was welded. Just drill out the welds and make it bolt on if you want to put them back in.

I made tabs and welded them to each inside corner on the passenger seat. They are place at angles to match the seat stand. Just thru bolt.
This shows the drivers seat. The inside bend has been cut off and a small section on the outside as well for clearance in the stock sliders. Both sides have been cut the same. The seat now slides right in. The locking mechanism has been removed, it's a different type. I will put a bolt in front and behind the seat to lock it in place.
Pretty simple swap for $50 junkyard seats. Not sure what I'm going to cover them with. I'll post finished pics when I'm done.
I hope this helps anyone that has been considering doing this.

Thank you for sharing! I didn’t quite understand how your modified vanagon passenger seat holds? Did you drill extra holes in the base? Please elaborate.

Wed Oct 08, 2025 2:43 pm

sxuxrxf wrote: Early seats didn't have sliding adjustability on the passenger seat, only upright and slightly less upright. :) The driver's seat is adjustable in the track but the locking mechanism is different. Because of this, a position has to be chosen and then securely mounted there. I found a comfortable position that works in the upright and reclined positions, so it's all good :D

That’s why lots of people use the stow and go seats, the seat adjuster is built in, you just have to make a mount to match the built in mounting studs.
And they have arms, flip down flat, and the leather is a plus with dirty dog feet riding shotgun

Wed Oct 08, 2025 5:22 pm

W1K1 wrote: sxuxrxf wrote: Early seats didn't have sliding adjustability on the passenger seat, only upright and slightly less upright. :) The driver's seat is adjustable in the track but the locking mechanism is different. Because of this, a position has to be chosen and then securely mounted there. I found a comfortable position that works in the upright and reclined positions, so it's all good :D

That’s why lots of people use the stow and go seats, the seat adjuster is built in, you just have to make a mount to match the built in mounting studs.
And they have arms, flip down flat, and the leather is a plus with dirty dog feet riding shotgun

Stow’n’go are either impossible to find or cost an arm and a leg. I got vanagon seats for free

Wed Oct 08, 2025 6:25 pm

My set cost $300, my buddy paid $150 for grey leather. They come up on marketplace, and the pick and pull pretty regularly around here.

Thu Oct 09, 2025 8:36 am

they are at the golden window in the U-pulls right now..

W1K1 wrote: My set cost $300, my buddy paid $150 for grey leather. They come up on marketplace, and the pick and pull pretty regularly around here.