Middle track & seat install in an '84 Westie

[becida]

I picked up a middle seat and tracks yesterday to put in my '84 Westfalia.

I searched the threads here and the archives of the Vanagon list to find some help, I found it.

I removed the metal edging.
I rolled the carpet back to kitchen, sitting rolled up on the floor did not give me enough room so I clamped it up out of the way.
There were several staples and two sided tape along the front.

On the floor I found a fitting sticking up through a hole in the flooring, no idea what its for.
Does anyone know?

This is the unk fitting up close

I went underneath and found the already installed nuts and the holes that went with them.
I used a long thin drill bit to drill up from the bottom for marking purpose. I only needed to mark the floor for cutting.

I sat the rails on the marked holes to see how it was all going to fit.

The cut lines ended up being 3.5" wide

I cut the floor with a circular saw, with a 3.5" wide cut I hit the metal floor so I had to set the blade cut to 'almost' thru the wood floor. I used a hand saw and a hammer & chisel to finish the cuts. The hand saw riding in the already cut groove did a good job.
The wood floor pieces came out with a snap at the far end when bent up.

The long rail slot was half a hole short in the first test fit.

I had to use the hammer & chisel to lengthen the track slot that half a hole, the chisel worked really well on the floor.

Then I mounted the tracks on the floor to make sure they fit, make sure the hardware had no problems & I would pick which holes got the bolts.
I ended up cleaning the threads on the bolts with a wire wheel.

With the tracks mounted on the floor I laid the carpet back down and marked on it where the bolts would go. I made holes in the carpet for the bolts then put it back out of the way.
I pulled the tracks, laid the carpet down and then put the tracks on top of it.
A touch more trimming was necessary to get all the bolts in.
I did a loose fit until they were all started then tightened them all up.
Now the tracks are sitting & bolted down on top of the carpet

Then I put the seat in. Works good!

I trimmed the edge metal to allow the seat to be swapped with out having to remove it.

Now we can carry 6 people at a time in the camper, can't get to the fridge without pulling the seat but that's ok.
With the seat out I can put another carpet down in back (my van came with one already) and the tracks are hidden.
_________________
Rob
Traveling...

[[email protected]]

I did mine the exact way and love it. I've tried to describe it in words on thesamba before, but a picture is worth a thousand words! I still need to cut and replace the metal edge, yours looks great!

[becida]

The pictures sure make it easier to explain how I did it.
_________________
Rob
Traveling...

[RicoS]

[DeadSetMonkey]

Will this same routine work with a 1990 middle seat like this:

Into a 1990 Westfalia.

Just need track hardware, like this:

Any need to remove the end arm rests? Or will the seat width clear the door and the cabinets?

I'm about to remove the interior... and figure installing the middle bench and rear passenger jump while I am at it might make sense - to increase overall passenger utility... can get 5 or 6 belted passengers, vs 4... when needed.
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----------------------------------------------------
'90 Syncro Westy 2.5Subi Turbo, BFGs 215/75/15 Rheins

[DeadSetMonkey]

[quote="RicoS"]

[becida]

As I recall (I sold the van) the seat went in fine but you had to slide it out to open the refrigerator.
When I put a carpet over the tracks (seat taken out) I had a dip into the track area.
_________________
Rob
Traveling...

[the joker]

Try to find the factory covers that fit on the tracks when the seats out

[tarandusVDub]

Getting ready to do this mod. I have the bench lined up but would also like to add a single seat at times...Anyone have a line on a single center jump seat? Preferably with head rest...
_________________
1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

[dobryan]

[alaskadan]

[Aerosport]

I have the middle seat and tracks to do this mod to my '87' Westy but am lacking the bolts and brackets that hold down the tracks. If anyone has these laying around I would happily purchase them. Thanks
_________________
Stan L

'87 Westy GL - "Stanagon", 2wd WBX 4 speed
15" Rhein alloys, GW 1.5" lift springs & Fox shocks

[tarandusVDub]

Has anyone tried to fit a Eurovan middle seat in a Westy? Assume its a whole different kettle of fish, but I know the front seats are interchangeable...
_________________
1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

[ditdater]

hey , im new to site , don't have a vw van , but a 65 chevy flat nose . lloking to poss find and buy a vanagon middle bench seat to save room and (take my new grandson in it w/ babyseat ). and would anybody know if It bottom of frame would be real basic to install in a flat floor ? maybe use the strips shown , or basically drill holes in floor for bolts and use extra metal braceing / big washers to the nuts under floor . also does it sit 2 people comfortably ? thanks dudes , danny in ky 502 432 3684 and May God Bless

[nemobuscaptain]

I have seen it bolted to the floor without the rails being used. Id use heavy duty (class 8 at least) hardware with fender washers below.

Id also use a Ford or Chevy bench seat. They are a dime a dozen. Vanagon seats are pretty hard to find.
_________________
Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[ditdater]

actually , just picked up a mid 80s ,I think vanagon middle bench w ea end arm rest and a middle arm rest . might be thinking of finding the rest of the hardware /w the bottom track to see if that might work in mine . is the rest of mounting h/ware hard to come by . thanks for info
dan 502 432 3684

[pinetreeporsche]