Need More Leg Room in Your Chevy/Ford/Dodge Van - Want to do "the swivel?"

[cortttt]

I've been looking for some way to move those danged Chevy/GMC van seats back and I think I've found it. It's called the Leadership 41 transfer seat base. You just plop the seat on top apparently. No drilling needed.

It will give you 16" of horizontal travel (which you can extend) and 8" of vertical travel.  

This one will swivel 100 degrees but you can get one that swivels 180 degrees. Other ones are available for full size vans with lowered floors, and for older vans. 

I don't know how much they cost yet.  I will report when I find out.  The company has dealers across the nation - mostly shops that produce customized vans for people with disabilities.l 

• http://bdindependence.com/products/full-size-vans/

Transfer Seats for Full Size Vans



B&D Independence, Inc. designs and manufacturers Transfer Seat Bases for virtually every Full Size Van on the market today. An example of our product scope is listed below. Your Mobility Dealer will be able to confirm that we have a product designed specifically for your new van!

• Ford Econoline
  
• GMC Savanna
  
• Chevrolet Express
  
• Dodge Ram Vans

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Next[/color]​

Leadership 41

Model L41 is a 6-Way Transfer Seat Base designed for full size, non lowered floor vans. The specific applications include: Ford “E” Series, Chevy/GMC full size vans and Dodge Ram vans. The L41 is designed to mount over the airbag sensor located under the driver seat in many of these vehicles.

Description

• Designed for Full Size (Non Lowered Floor Vans) 1996 to present
• 6-Way Transfer Seat Base
• Driver Position Only
• Utilizes OEM factory seat.
  • OEM factory seat functions are maintained
• Seat Base mounts to the OEM floor mounting holes
  • No drilling required on most applications
• Mounts over the airbag sensor

Specifications

• Travel Horizontal: 16”
• Travel Vertical: 8”
• Swivel: 100º
• Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.

Dimensions

• Length: 40 1/2″
• Width: 17″
• Down Height: 6 7/8″ to 7 3/4″

Optional Features [img=20x0]http://bdindependence.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bd_icons_travel_25px.png[/img]

• Extended Travel
• Optional Switchbox Configurations
• Three Color Options
  • Choose from charcoal, gray, or tan to match the interior of your vehicle

 

[LeeRevell]

Checking a few mobility websites (none list prices), the L73 sounds better for my needs and simpler/cheaper.  Still need to find prices.

 

[SoulRaven]

The driver/passenger captains seats in my van are not nearly as comfortable as my executive style old office chair that resides just inside my side doors.

My solution was just to go to a thrift store and pick out the most comfortable chair I could find to put in the house portion of my van. I enjoy that decision each and every day, because it makes my home the most comfortable place in the world for me.

My super comfy chair is one of the top things on a pretty short list that I will never again compromise on.

 

[LeeRevell]

In my situation, being "Larger than the average bear" and with arms that a greyback gorilla would envy, I could really use my van seat moved about four inches back and two inches down, for clearance.  No real need for swiveling in the driver's seat.  My third seat will ultimately replace the second seat, as it has full swiveling, reclining and both arms intact.  The second seat only has reclining.  Swivel is frozen and arms are gone.  Most front passengers don't gripe.
Need to remove the third position anyways for bed install behind the driver seat.

 

[cortttt]

Checking a few mobility websites (none list prices), the L73 sounds better for my needs and simpler/cheaper.  Still need to find prices.

Look forward to hearing what you find. I will report tomorrow from Phoenix.

 

[cortttt]

Look forward to hearing what you find. I will report tomorrow from Phoenix.

$3300 for that transfer seat base at the mobility shop in Phoenix.

He said he can move the seat back 2-4 inches by drilling new holes. They do that all the time.

These are much cheaper

• http://www.discountvantruck.com/rvvanseatbases/rvvan6waypowerseatbases.htm

Since you can get one that rises and swivels I guess they are different.

I  assume you can attach your present seat to them.

 

[Gideon33w]

Didn't say anything about DOT approval. Without DOT approval you may not be able to receive insurance payment for injuries for that seat passenger. Big issue on the swivel seat bases. There are cheap ones and expensive ones. The cheap ones are not approved.

 

[Gideon33w]

FMVSS 207 covers the federal standards for seats.

 

[LeeRevell]

Too rich for my wallet!    :-/

 

[cortttt]

Didn't say anything about DOT approval. Without DOT approval you may not be able to receive insurance payment for injuries for that seat passenger. Big issue on the swivel seat bases. There are cheap ones and expensive ones. The cheap ones are not approved.

Thanks for mentioning that. I will check that out if I get one.  I will check that out if I move the seat back as well. I'm pretty sure that company covers all the bases but I will check.

 

[Gideon33w]

Just give them a ring or an email and ask if the base meets or exceeds FMVSS 207. They will know what you're talking about right away.

This is the big reason why a lot of people go junkyard hunting for factory swivel seats. You know they are approved (most even have a stamp).