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stormforge
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009
Posts: 355
Location: Adirondacks NY
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 Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:36 pm Post subject: Jump seats vs swivels? |
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I have a 7-passenger syncro which I'm converting into a no-frills camper for my family of Mom, 12 year old and myself. I've removed the middle seats and plan on adding a fold-up table like a weekender has. It seems like installing jump seats might be a nice addition -- especially for eating or playing cards at the table, but they take up a fair amount of real estate and leave the two front seats essentially unused when camping. My alternative is to install swivels for the front seats -- not as good access to the table, but less wasted space.
Any collective wisdom to share on which is the better setup?
Thanks!
-Bill
'89 Syncro |
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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Do both--mount a jumpseat behind the driver's seat and a swivel base on the front passenger seat. It really opens up the cabin.
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Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
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GWTWTLW
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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I know in our Westy, we often wish we had an extra seat so we could fit 5 easier. If you have the full length back seat, that might not be as much of an issue. A jumpseat is on my wish list. Unfortunately, with everything else I have had to do, it hasn't made it to the top of the list yet. Hopefully, there is still one sitting in the junkyard that 1621 hid for me.
You can always remove them when you need the real estate...
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89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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| joetiger wrote: |
| Do both--mount a jumpseat behind the driver's seat and a swivel base on the front passenger seat. It really opens up the cabin. |
I have this setup. Original westy swivel seats and a removable fold up jump seat behind the passenger seat. It opens up lots of options. |
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joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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| madspaniard wrote: |
I have this setup. Original westy swivel seats and a removable fold up jump seat behind the passenger seat. It opens up lots of options. |
With my Wolfsburg Westy (Weekender) it's just the opposite. It has the jumpseat mounted behind the driver's seat, so no need for swivel there, and I mounted a swivel on the passenger side.
When we camp, I use the driver's seat as storage for the kids' booster seats, backpacks, etc. Works out well.
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Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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fairweather
Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2007
Posts: 663
Location: Aspen, CO
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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I have a custom jump seat behind the drivers seat and a swivel on the front passenger seat. For playing cards, chess etc having the jumpseat across from the table is great. I am also working on a removable sink/stove unit that will mount behind the passenger seat. Most of the time it will be out of the van but when camping I can clamp it in place then when I get to the camp spot I unroll the awning, pull out the stove/sink unit, flip up the wings and instant outside kitchen. Very similar concept to some of the Sportsmobile conversions or the Eurovette conversion. If you don't have "VW Camper - The Inside Story" get it for a plethora of ideas.
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GWTWTLW
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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Fairweather, I love that setup. Very nice looking interior!
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89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
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Texxxxx
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 448
Location: Monterey, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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No question about it. 2 Swivels!!!
The Westys are cooler and they can stand up to put their pants on, but us hardtops have room, and lots of it. 2 swivels maximizes it. IMO a jump seat would just take up precious room.
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'85 GL w/2.1L "The Tardis"
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sbomm
Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2004
Posts: 41
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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| How do you get the driver's side to clear the steering wheel when swiveling? |
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Texxxxx
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 448
Location: Monterey, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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| sbomm wrote: |
| How do you get the driver's side to clear the steering wheel when swiveling? |
Funny you should ask. On my way home from work I was thinking that I need to post a warning about that in this thread.
You really need to pay attention to where you mount the swivel base. I mounted mine back about an inch and a half, but that cuts into the battery box space a bit. The box is still usable and I have an odyssey in there, but have to take off the swivel mount to remove it (if I ever need to).
This is my thread on it:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=289505&highlight=swivel
BTW...on the passengers side you can just take the seat off the tracks and turn it around, and put it on facing the rear without using a swivel. I learned that here and used it for a while. Works well.
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It's A Vanagon Day |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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My basic idea is you can not have too many chairs and tables.
The Westy makes it a bit harder, but a lat model jump seat behind the front seats is good.
Also, I use two of the little tables that mount in the front. So I got three tables.
Admittedly you can not really use all that stuff at the same time, but you have options when you need it.
Similar configurations can be done to the normal van too.
PS" Adding the pop top can be done too. There are a couple of ways to do it. Including getting one of those bubble tops from an Adventurewagen.
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