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Bessiebus
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2023
Posts: 16
Location: Santa Cruz
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 Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:41 pm Post subject: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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| Hi everyone, I can’t find anything on how to remove a 78 transporter hinged backrest. I’ve followed all the steps and now the only thing stopping me from removing it is a fabric flap sewn onto the back of the seat cover, it’s pinned by a tuck rail on the body of the bus just behind the rear seat bench. Is there a trick to freeing the fabric without cutting it or damaging the rail itself by prying on it? Any ideas welcome, thanks in advance. |
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42503
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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something tells me that the hinge is welded and riveted to the halves. I think when I put my Z-bed in I had to cut them apart - which is a one time thing - meaning that once apart - always apart. With the Z-bed, it has its own hinges that replace the factory one.
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52771
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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I'm not sure I've ever seen one intact, can you post a few pictures so I can devise a plan?
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Bessiebus
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2023
Posts: 16
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:29 pm Post subject: Re: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
| I'm not sure I've ever seen one intact, can you post a few pictures so I can devise a plan? |
Here is what we're working with, there's a thin cardboard strip sewn on the hem I imagine to help keep the fabric from slipping out.
I've tried weaseling it by pushing the fabric+cardboard strip up with a thin flathead at one end and pulling it up at the same time, but it's in there pretty snug and hasn't budged. I will say the fabric is in good shape and is still somewhat strong. |
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Bessiebus
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2023
Posts: 16
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| something tells me that the hinge is welded and riveted to the halves. I think when I put my Z-bed in I had to cut them apart - which is a one time thing - meaning that once apart - always apart. With the Z-bed, it has its own hinges that replace the factory one. |
Luckily it was just two mounting brackets with a single bolt holding it on the top of the two wheel wells, easy peasy besides attempting to free this flap from the body while keeping it intact.
Once the back rest is out, I'll be installing a z bed in its place. Stoked to hear you successful have done the same! |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42503
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 10:33 pm Post subject: Re: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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| Bessiebus wrote: |
| SGKent wrote: |
| something tells me that the hinge is welded and riveted to the halves. I think when I put my Z-bed in I had to cut them apart - which is a one time thing - meaning that once apart - always apart. With the Z-bed, it has its own hinges that replace the factory one. |
Luckily it was just two mounting brackets with a single bolt holding it on the top of the two wheel wells, easy peasy besides attempting to free this flap from the body while keeping it intact.
Once the back rest is out, I'll be installing a z bed in its place. Stoked to hear you successful have done the same! |
if it is a real z-bed like BusDepot sells now, I think the two halves of the seat have to be separated but it has been 15 years since I did mine.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52771
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 8:18 am Post subject: Re: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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That's a very German way to attach fabrics in many different cars.
With the tension on it relieved there should be just enough slack to push it down and get the top edge of the cardboard out from under the lip, a wide putty knife will help keep it from sneaking back under as you work your way along. The very end may have been bent shut a little, you might have to pry it open a bit there.
If you do decide to pry it open all the way along do it from the other side of the carpet with something thin and wide, that will open the gap without brutalizing the channel.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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Bessiebus
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2023
Posts: 16
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:59 am Post subject: Re: 1978 bay window- Backseat removal: How to free back rest? |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
That's a very German way to attach fabrics in many different cars.
With the tension on it relieved there should be just enough slack to push it down and get the top edge of the cardboard out from under the lip, a wide putty knife will help keep it from sneaking back under as you work your way along. The very end may have been bent shut a little, you might have to pry it open a bit there.
If you do decide to pry it open all the way along do it from the other side of the carpet with something thin and wide, that will open the gap without brutalizing the channel. |
Thank you! I followed your suggestion and successfully removed it mostly intact, the fabric ended up separating from the strip but nothing to cry over. Just happy its out, Cheers!
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