I installed a swivel seat!

[Random Painted Highway]

I'm happy to report that the swivel seat base that i ordered arrived today, so, after work this evening, i was able to put it in myself and guess what? It actually works!  Woohooo!  We have a small class c so with the passenger seat now having the ability to face the living area, it opens up the space so much, it's amazing...i just wanted to share, since i haven't posted much of anything on this forum, but have read and learned so much from everyone here.  I took a few pictures that i will try to upload later.

 

[wildbill]

sweet.....good job.....extra space and seating.....far out

 

[maki2]

congratulations, I am glad for you that the installation was so fast that it could be done in one evening's time.

 

[Random Painted Highway]

Here are a few pics of the base and the chair turned to the living area, tight but manageable. 

Cut two holes in the base for the seat wiring, one from bottom of base and one on the side to insert wiring so it wouldn't get damaged when swiveled.  I thought it was going to be much harder cutting through steel, but it only took a a few minutes for each bore hole.
 

 

New base in place



Seat re-attached and turned!



Order from Sportsmobile.com for an Ford E series cutaway

Hope this helps someone.  
One day we will be on the road fulltime...that day is coming, but for now we ready the ship!

 

[joetx]

Great info, went to the website, and didn't find the swivels, guess I need to call them. I'm rebuilding an old Chevy transvan and I'm looking to buy some seats from a salvage yard. On a budget. What is the year and model of your van, would give me an idea of what to look for at a salvage yard. Thanks, Joe.

 

[Almost There]

I'm rebuilding an old Chevy transvan and I'm looking to buy some seats from a salvage yard. On a budget. What is the year and model of your van, would give me an idea of what to look for at a salvage yard. Thanks, Joe.

I had a swivel seat put in my van by the guy that was doing the bodywork. My stock seats were in good condition and comfy so I didn't need to change them out but the way mine was done will apply to whatever seats you find.

I have absolutely no idea what year/make/model the swivel seat base came out of. It was old enough that the seat belt attachment point was on the base... . None of the floor bolt holes matched so the old floor bolt holes were plugged and new ones drilled. My criteria for where to put them was that I wanted the seat to be able to be swiveled without having to open the door.  It took some head scratching and some figuring but the seat now sits a little further back and a little bit further in than it did originally - it's all good though!

The seat base bolt holes didn't line up with the swivel base holes so it got new holes as well in the swivel base.

The extension on the swivel base for the seat belt got cut off, the raw edge ground down and the whole base got a coat of paint.

The point I'm making is that just about any swivel base can be made to fit just about any seat. If you  happen to find one that fits with no modification then great but if not, don't pull your hair out trying to find the perfect one.

 

[joetx]

Thanks for the reply. I understand about the work connected with the installation. What I was asking was for the make and model of your van so I can look for similar seats at a salvage yard. Thanks, Joe.

 

[Random Painted Highway]

Hi Joe,

Sorry for the delay in answering. I have a 2015 class c ford e350 motorhome. I didn't buy any seats, i just used what came with the vehicle, i did buy a new base that fit perfectly. Best of luck to you and great picture of your home!