Does anyone regret tossing the passenger seat?

[MrNoodly]

<p>It makes sense to me to get rid of the front passenger seat on my regular length cargo van. But a little voice says, "What if you want to/need to give someone a ride?" The bigger voice says, "There are going to be far more times when you need the room than when you need to carry a passenger."<br><br>What do you say?</p>

 

[user 423]

I'd definitely keep it but either bolt it down backwards or get a rotating pedestal for it. Much more comfortable when just hanging out than sitting on a gaucho bed,etc. because it reclines. If solidly mounted backwards (usually easy to do with the same bolts), you can still seat a passenger. Might feel strange to them travelling backwards but it will do in a pinch. The stock pedestals do provide some storage underneath for tools,etc. so it's not a total waste of space. When I'm travelling alone I usually have stuffed piled on top of it,too.<br><br>I've sat leisurely in my easy chair like this and tended my tables while selling at flea markets, drive-in theater markets,etc. Just taking it easy in the shade with a brewski until a customer comes by.

 

[user 423]

P.S: If something came up so that you needed to sell or trade the van, having no passenger seat might be a deal killer.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

You can store stuff behind the driverside seat and use the passenger side turned backward to sit in. store stuff in the hole. So little space saved, in my opinion, no need to get rid of it. May come in handy with an additional traveler.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[MrNoodly]

I just tried rotating the seat 180 degrees. Those of you who have done this must not have current generation Chevy/GMC vans. With mine turned around, and the seat slid all the way to what was once forward (now toward the back), there's only about 2" of recline from bolt upright before hitting the dash, putting it pretty much at the normal non-reclining angle. And the headrest blocks the view out of the corner of the windshield and half the side window. I won't be doing that.<br><br>However, the bolts look like an excellent way to anchor the house batteries.

 

[user 423]

Too bad about the limited recline. I can't really picture why that would be unless the dash sticks way out. If you tilt the seatback forward (to the rear) would it still be in the way of your mirror view? <br><br>It would take some fabrication but how about a plate that is on tracks that will slide forward (move the seat to rear of van) so you would get more recline? I'm thinking of the drawers/extenders used on larger RVs that hold batteries and pull out for servicing the batteries. They are pretty heavy duty.<br><br><br>http://www.modmyrv.com/2009/01/03/rv-sliding-storage-cargo-tray

 

[dfunkt]

I like the idea of removing my passenger seat to build an electrical area there and a place for the fridge.<br><br> &nbsp;I am planning to store the seat in my cargo trailer though in case I ever want to sell the van. &nbsp;

 

[James AKA Lynx]

I put in captians chairs. Move all the way to the rear of the van when backward and then tilt all the way back. worked well for me as I can see mirror and it is below the dash.<br><br>James AKA Lynx<br>97 Dodge 2500

 

[caseyc]

I pondered this question for over a year. Finally sold my 2 middle captain chairs and rear bench seat on Craigslist for $160. I don't regret it, as the changes to my van interior are pretty much permanent at this point. No going back now.

 

[MrNoodly]

<span style="color: #999999;"><strong>"</strong></span><span><span style="line-height: 18.18181800842285px; color: #999999;"><strong>Too bad about the limited recline. I can't really picture why that would be unless the dash sticks way out."</strong></span><br><br><span style="line-height: 18.18181800842285px;"> </span></span>

 

[user 423]

OK, I see. Looks like you need an adapter plate (or plates) that would move the bolts that hold the pedestal rearward. I had to do that when I put bucket seats into a Toyota pu after removing the bench seat. All you need is some 3/8" or so plate that's a couple of inches wide and about 18" long (or whatever) and some heavy-duty bolts.<br><br>And of course you'll have to drill 4 holes and that might be the hard part.

 

[MrNoodly]

Or I could just get rid of the seat.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Guest]

You could always pick up a new seat later at a junkyard if you regret getting rid of it.

 

[psytechguy]

A friend that customized his van has taken the passenger side captain's chair out, put it on a swiveling base, and bolted it down on the driver's side of his cargo van about halfway down the back. Sort of in between where the second and third row of seats would be in a passenger van.

He opens up the side doors and swings the seat around so he can sit there and take in the view. It's a pretty nice setup. I'm thinking about doing it myself.

Don't think he's quite figured out what to do with the empty passenger side yet. Last I saw it, it was full of bags of trash and dirty clothes!

 

[user 423]

I've just now taken a look at your buildout pics on PB and I see how much trouble adapting the seat&nbsp; would be. There sure is a lot of variation in seat mounts and can see why you wouldn't want to mess with it.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

I pulled mine out for about a month, after trashing every other seat in the rear a few years ago, I decided to wait and see if I really wanted to trash my passenger seat.<br><br>Well, I put it back in, and I put it in backward - like slowday mentioned... and mine fits perfect, and out of the way of the rear view mirror.<br><br>I see why you have problems doing this, MrNoodle. But, why not try just pulling it more toward the rear and connect just the two back bolts? I didn't have the need to do this but I did only connect two of the bolts, I have no intention on letting anyone sit in it while I'm driving anyway... so there's no danger in it.<br><br>Like I said, you could pull the seat to the rear, so the back holes line up with the original bolt holes (only on reverse sides) , see how it looks - maybe it will stick out too far and block too much of your side door entrance.... if not, try it like this for awhile, and if you like it - drill two new holes for complete, secure mounting.<br><br>Just an idea.<br><br>Oh, and this would give you the increased floor space for whatever, in the front floorboard (just behind seat).<br><br>

 

[MrNoodly]

I realized today that with the passenger seat, access to the back is only between the seats. But with the passenger seat removed, the whole right side of the van becomes potential access to the back. That means whatever is behind the driver's seat could be several inches wider than that seat and still allow easy access to the back. For example, a longitudinal twin bed placed right behind the driver's seat would no longer block access to the back. Or a cabinet/shelf could be placed perpendicular to the van wall there. More options seems like a good thing.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

On your seat, did you unbolt the seat from the floor or the base right under the slide adjusters?<br><br>I turn mine around by unbolting by the 4 small nuts under the side adjuster inside the base hole.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[user 423]

I realized today that with the passenger seat, access to the back is only between the seats.

<br><br>That's only a problem when you stop and it's pouring rain but that doesn't happen all that much. When I've been driving for a while and stop I usually can't wait to get out and stretch some, so getting out and walking around to the side doors is no problem. If you're stopped camping somewhere for a couple of days, it's no problem then either. The driver's seat then becomes a repository for misc. stuff that you need to stow out of the way. Within easy reach of a reversed pass. seat...<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br>Also, if you will be using flooded house batteries,placing a battery box is a little problematic for that location. The box needs an opening at the top that is ducted to the outside and would have to pass through the passenger door. With the box located behind the DS seat, it's easier to pass a vent through the side of the van. With AGM batteries venting is less of an issue but it is still recommended that they be vented.

 

[MrNoodly]

AGM batteries for me.