Eurovan 2003 Swivel Seats

[Dave65386]

Hi,

I know there are a lot of questions about swivel seats, but I can't find anything specific on how they function. I helped a friend install a swivel on sprinter and found that it impacted the seats movement forward and back. We found that it was reduced so wouldn't go back as far.

With a Eurovan swivel is there any impact to the seat other than raising it by an inch? Just want to know what to expect before I fork out for dome swivel plates.

Thanks

[samba415]

https://cheshiremotorcaravans.co.uk/product/t4-swivel-base/

Check this company
_________________
Old stable: '63 Baja, '69 Square, '72 Bug, '65 & '67 Samba, '73 412 wagon & 2dr 4spd

Current: '04 Golf TDI, '03 Weekender

[Dave65386]

Awesome thanks!!!

[SplitBusVanatic]

Aftermarket There are FASP (Italian, I think) and Sportscraft (German)
FASP are cheaper and are really sturdy. I had a pair. Bought from Jennings seats in the UK. However I sold them son after. They made the seat too high and i was reaching down toward the steering wheel. And I’m only 5ft9in. I haven’t any experience of the sportcraft. I would consider the FASP again as they are good quality, but you would need lowered seat bases to make these the same height as factory. (These are available online)
I went ahead and bought a pair of genuine used VW swivel seats. These are crazy money and i actually bought them as part of a full interior out of a high spec Caravelle Eurovan. The swivels can bee seen fitted from factory to Westfalia front seats or the come as second row on Caravelle Business or other high spec Caravelles, at least in Europe. The part number for the VW swivel seats are:
701881677J01A

Best of luck.

[Dave65386]

Thanks everyone. The Cheshire motor caravans link was great. The have a product that replaces the base and provides a swivel. The base is lower so even with the swivel the seats are factory height. The have a unit with a safe as well. Haven't bought these yet, just confirming they will fit with my LHD eurovan and on both passenger and drivers sides.

[bikes!]

[bigfoot_ev]

I highly, highly recommend the CMC swivel bases over the swivel plate. In fact, I bought both, one with the safe and one without, and replaced the driver and passenger seat bases. You will give up the rear facing jump seats, but in a short wheelbase van it really opens up the space.

If you want to get an idea of what both would look like I have some pictures here.

[BuckyRoad]

I just installed the CMC swivel seat with the safe under the passenger seat in my 2003 VW Eurovan Weekender. The install was simple and straight forward. It is a little stiff to swivel and I am hoping that will get easier with time. Anyone with one of these experience the same thing?

[VanGeek]

For those who use the CMC swivel on the driver's side in a weekender configuration, I assume the coach battery no longer fits, correct? If so, did you relocate it?

[bigfoot_ev]

[samba415]

I have suggested CMC, unfortunately I have not bought their product. Could someone give up the dimensions of the space under CMC's open swivel base? It's not listed on their website and I've gotten crickets from their contact points.

I've been debating the loss of the rear face seats (or the two seats in general) and wonder if a compromise in utility can be met. The ever evolving space and shrinking size & costs of the lifepo4 vs. the space under that CMC swivel base.

If I can get a lifepo4 under either seats and continue to claim the flexibility of seating 7, our Swiss Army knife of a van would check most of the boxes. FYI this possible solution is was inspired by IdeaNerd's "bento box" application of GLS seats as "perhaps" a replacement of the rear facing seats of the MV
_________________
Old stable: '63 Baja, '69 Square, '72 Bug, '65 & '67 Samba, '73 412 wagon & 2dr 4spd

Current: '04 Golf TDI, '03 Weekender

[bigfoot_ev]

Since I have both types of bases, one with safe and one without I compared them and feel pretty confident they are based on the same core seat base. The safe model just closes the front and back openings. In the picture below the safe door attaches to the bottom cross member which is not on the open base. My open base is stuffed with auxiliary electrics so I measured the safe base.

14 inches front to back.
11.5 inches inside the bottom side rails, where nuts attach to bolts.
5 inches from carpet to bolts on top. You might get slightly more depending on your carpet, for instance cutting it out.

[/img]

[samba415]

Thank you!

Life saver and/or a heartbreaker. Not likely to find a lifepo4 battery to fit, but one can dream in the meantime. I have noticed battery makers are open to different shapes and sizes, perhaps something built directly under a seat that is flat and wide (like our seats & butts) will make sense to them.
_________________
Old stable: '63 Baja, '69 Square, '72 Bug, '65 & '67 Samba, '73 412 wagon & 2dr 4spd

Current: '04 Golf TDI, '03 Weekender

[bigfoot_ev]

I don't know what your comfort level is with electrical DIY, but it's very doable to build a lifepo4 battery that would fit in that space. I've built a 3.5KW solar generator using lifepo4 cells purchased from aliexpress. There is a lot of information from the yachting world plus our own backyard in the Vanagon forum. Fun to think about...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=739611