Middle Seat Hardware & Mount locations

[veedubzzz]

Hi All,
Been trying to determine what hardware I need to mount a middle captains seat in my(new to me) Syncro.

I have only one seat but it is the same style pictured. And it came with what I believe are a set of floor rails that came from a tintop (which I believe just means they're longer than the set for a full camper), I can of course cut them to length or drill new holes in the rails as needed.

My 1986 US-market syncro did not have the rails from the factory, or they were removed when the original floor was cut out and replaced with a loose piece of plywood (covered with a rubber floor mat...) this means it might be a little easier for me to add the rails as I can pull the loose floor and cut it to fit later around the new installed rails.

I'm aware from doing a whole pile of searches through old posts that there are supposed to be threaded holes that are plugged under the van. I've had some difficulty finding these though...

I see one that I think *might* be one the mounts, but can't find other unused threaded provisions under the van in those areas. My van was modified by the previous owners and does have what appear to be aftermarket upgraded brake lines and coolant lines that may have been slightly rerouted vs their factory locations, so I wonder if a fastener may be hiding where it is difficult to see... Does anyone have a full camper have these installed? Hoping to find out where these are...

Also what hardware is used? My seat came without any hardware, and I don't know what to use to secure the rails, or to secure the seat after it is slid into place. I found a picture from a site that sold used parts. But there is no listing for that part anymore as I'm assuming they ran out of old stock and pulled the item. I'll include it to illustrate what I'm looking for.

Anyone have any advice to offer on this topic?

Thanks in advance!

[dobryan]

You can install the floor rails in a camper. No problem.

I cut the rails to fit in my westy. The threaded holes for the bolts are usually filled by a black plastic ‘bolt’. They have been there on every Vanagon I have seen.

I think I may have the hardware you need if you cannot locate any.

_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[veedubzzz]

Thanks Dobryan

I’m assuming each rail is held in by at least 2 or more bolts. I didn’t see any black plastic faux bolts but I will take a closer look - I’m assuming there should be a bolt location to hold the rail down near the sliding door. I may have to get it up in the air a little to facilitate easier viewing of the undercarriage. I fit but it’s tight enough i can’t use a creeper or I won’t fit. A little room would go a long way.

And if you do have the hardware available that would be awesome. I’d happily take you up on that PM me if you find that you have some you could part with and we can work out a deal.

[leecat]

I have all the hardware too that you'd be welcome to, unfortunately I'm two provinces away from my van parts and won't be near them till spring. Hopefully dobryan has everything you need!

[dobryan]

The plastic bolts/screws are accessed from the top of the floor. Not sure if you are looking from the top or bottom.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[veedubzzz]

Dobryan,
I didn't know they were accessed from the top - Thanks for the info. I'll PM you to ask about the hardware you may have available too. I'll look from the top in next day or two when I might find some small amount of time to do so.

Previous owner had installed some stick-on dynamat style sound insulation, I may have to cut and scrape that up to find those.

I'd assumed that the work was from underneath since someone had said they drilled these out through the flooring , if they come out from above what would have been drilled out??? Maybe I'd read that incorrectly.


Leecat - I appreciate that. Hoping to have these installed sooner than later honestly... The addition of a new baby this last month required some creative thinking when it came to adding this fifth seat . I feel lucky to have found one of these seats. As apparently they are more rare than hen's teeth. And it will allow use of the van.

Hoping this seat allows us to use it for all 5 of us for some time. My kids are still pretty young. The van isn't a daily driver but it's nice to have it as an option as it's our largest car, and it is obviously spacious with odd amenities (compared to "normal cars") like a kitchen etc. It's nice to use it for short 1-day road trips not just camping. It swallows an overflowing Costco cart much better than my Nissan Leaf. Can't beat hopping in a van with a fridge filled with kids snacks or an ice cream after a bike ride or hike.

[leecat]

Shouldn't be any drilling whatsoever - the rails bolt in and out in about two minutes from the top, it's a pretty good system. I'm sure it would be plain as day for you if someone hadn't slapped down a bunch of sticky gunk on top.

I *think* there are only 3 bolts per rail, but I could be wrong - been a while since I stripped middle seats out.

Will be super nice to have for sure - best of luck with it!!

As an afterthought, how do you open the fridge door with two seats in there?

[veedubzzz]

I shamelessly borrowed a pic from elsewhere. I only have a single middle captains seat. You are correct though I’m told with two seats the fridge won’t open. I was too lazy to go out and take a picture in my garage. Sorry for any confusion. I’ll update the thread with pics and info once installed to serve as a reference should anyone else look for this info.

[ZsZ]

The seat and rail for the camper is basically the same as the passenger vans had.

Part info:

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/typ+2+syncro/t2/1986-65/8/883-128005/

#29 rail to body bolt: N0102524 - metric M10x20 mm 8.8 grade
#30 seat to rail securing Z-shaped retaining piece: 253 883 867
#31 square washer: 253 883 869
#32 seat to rail securong bolt washer: N01152527 - metric A8.4X16X1.6 mm
#33 seat to rail securing bolt: N01023820 - metric M8x15 mm 8.8 grade
_________________
Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[veedubzzz]

Zsz - thanks for the info.
The drawing and part numbers helps significantly - I’ll dive through these and see if there is availability still. I wasn’t so worried about the bolts as those could be measured and cut to size. Would be extremely odd if those weren’t some type of standard thread.

[ZsZ]

[dobryan]

I found my stash. Veedubzzz and I are going to split them. That will be enough for what he needs and I can still mount the tracks in another Vanagon some time in the future.

_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[veedubzzz]

Thanks go out to Dobryan. Appreciate that he is getting me set up with what I need.

For those who may dig up this thread in the future - it seems that there may be some availability of parts from VW classic parts - the downside is that they don't seem to offer service to certain countries (shipping not available to the US sadly for example)

Although right on their page there is the verbiage that says "Every Volkswagen dealer in the world can supply items from the Volkswagen Classic Parts product range." I'll try to call the local one in my city to see if that claim holds true maybe these parts are not actually unobtanium as I initially thought...

I did find some of these parts available across the globe on eBay through international resellers who are undoubtedly just sourcing from VW classic and posting them for resale for an added markup. Although a lot of them only had a single part available which wouldn't be enough to get the job done anyways... YMMV. I did not have a chance yet to remove my floor and look for the mount locations - I trust they are there, but I've had little free time with my 3 kids ranging from ~3 weeks to 4 years old. I'll find time "soon" to do so and update when I can.

Appreciate all the help from everyone! Great community we have on here

[dobryan]

And you can take the bolts to a good hardware store to size for additional bolts. Just get the best grade they have, likely 12.9.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[alaskadan]

You can see the bolts from underneath. They go through flanges on the frame. So just look at the top of the frame in the general area front to back where the seat should sit. There will be welded nuts.

[jvlr921]

[ZsZ]

[djkeev]

[jvlr921]

[djkeev]