Removing the front passenger seat and utilizing it's space (example pics please)

[noFrontSeat]

So I'm in the market for a low roof van (still haven't figured out which low roof has most cubic space, will start another thread) and to save space I'm thinking about removing the front passenger seat and utilizing it's space. 

Of course I want to leave room for a full view of the front and side window and the mirror, nut up to the dashboard there's a whole lotta space if you're not traveling with anyone or aren't planning to. And I'm not, I'm 100% sure. If anything they can chill in the back.

Could you please show me some examples of a van (any roof size) with the front passenger seat removed and some space utilization hacks? Thank you.

 

[bullfrog]

Since you will have plenty of heat and AC you can open up the side panels or remove them and any insulation. There are lots of hollow spaces behind rear door panels and such that can be used for storage.

 

[desert_sailing]

I considered making that area my "bathroom". You could easily have a nice little wet bathroom there. Probably can put a small grey tank underneath as well.
AND you can still have a passenger "seat".

 

[noFrontSeat]

Since you will have plenty of heat and AC you can open up the side panels or remove them and any insulation. There are lots of hollow spaces behind rear door panels and such that can be used for storage.

It's amazing but I was just searching the same thing! 
Technically, all I need is unobstructed view of the full front window and side mirror, so if I remove the glovebox compartment, radio, mid section where you put your cups and make a custom dashboard just for the driver's side, and build a custom storage unit that will utilize the space all the way to the front window and rising up all the way to the roof and ending at the mid door entrance. 
I could hollow out the passenger door and minimize all the parts needed on it, maybe even weld it shut, and integrate that unused space into storage as well.

Are there any examples out there with removed glove box and passenger seat turned into storage?

 

[noFrontSeat]

I considered making that area my "bathroom". You could easily have a nice little wet bathroom there. Probably can put a small grey tank underneath as well.
AND you can still have a passenger "seat".

Exactly! If you remove the glove box you get even more room.
Have you seen any examples of people doing this?

 

[Cammalu]

You may want to consider what these modifications might do to the resale value of your rig if you ever decide to sell. Or not [emoji3]

 

[MrNoodly]

It's where I have my refrigerator. I built an insulated box to put it in and that's anchored to the floor via the seat bolts. The fire extinguisher, bottle opener, grab handle, voltage meter and fuse panel are also mounted to the insulated box, along with a 12v outlet. And I'm in the process of painting it up because why not.

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/5Kkg8Lz/box.jpg" alt="box" border="0" /></a>

 

[MrNoodly]

You may want to consider what these modifications might do to the resale value of your rig if you ever decide to sell. Or not [emoji3]

It's a matter deciding whether you want to live comfortably and conveniently now, or suffer a little for the sake of something in the future that might never happen. I'm going to drive my van until it dies, so...

 

[Gypsy108]

Comfort is a big priority to me.  I want to remove the front passenger seat & it my throne in there :   

 

[Hollyr]

I have an extended chevy express. Removed front seat to place my frig which is quite large. So far it's working well, but I have been stationary for awhile.

 

[Scott3569]

At one point I seriously considered removing my passenger seat, but in a few months I may have a passenger.. besides, if you are thinking about does this with a Mini van such as a Dodge caravan or similar, if I am not mistaken The bolts are on the under side of the vehicle.. I know this is true on my 06 Grand caravan.. Not a big deal, just something to be aware of

 

[crofter]

..I built an insulated box to put it in and that's anchored to the floor via the seat bolts...

I am thinking that having the fridge in the cab would keep vibrations and heat out of the rear sleeping area. Others talk about routing an exhaust duct to remove the heat.

How thick a layer of insulation did you use? I can only get one inch here.
-crofter

 

[JasonMcD]

I've thought about removing mine. I don't plan on reselling it, and if i do it would be to someone else considering the nomadic lifestyle (i might give it away). I just can't commit to doing it, just on the off chance i might ever have a passenger. If anyone would ever suffer my company that is!

 

[abnorm]

I started out as a single guy on the road..........Removed the passenger seat to make room for a Cat Stroller !



A couple years on-the-road and as Love would have it.......I needed a passenger seat for Paulette......Goodbye stroller....Hello Mamma!

 

[user 423]

^
Was the cat pissed when he had to move away from papa?

 

[abnorm]

Everybody adapts....I said I don't have lap cats WRONG......First day Smudgee.....the other kitty....adopts Mamas lap

At least I have Blackie !

 

[AeroNautiCal]

I once saw a picture of the same van as I had with it's dashboard removed and was really surprised at how much space it freed up!

Obviously I would need to mount the instrument and warning lights binnacle and retain heater ducts to the windscreen and passenger side window, but the rest of the space was available for reconfiguration.

Bob Wells did a video on a small, compact car that had a raised full length floor which extended into the front passenger footwell and had numerous hatches to access stored tems!

I would be inclined to build something like that which benefited from the maximum use of space and looked like a very neat and professional installation, especially when carpeted.

 

[MrNoodly]

How thick a layer of insulation did you use?  I can only get one inch here.
-crofter

2" poly-iso with the plastic film coating.

This stuff: https://www.homedepot.com/p/R-Tech-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-7-7-Rigid-Foam-Insulation-310891/202532856

 

[MrNoodly]

...just on the off chance i might ever have a passenger.

In eight years that has been an issue only three times for me, and we worked out something else.

 

[MGfromBC]

This is a 2-door Saturn I took a lot of road trips in.  The deep cycle battery is under the head of the bead, on the floor.  This was mostly an example of pulling the seat out for travel and throwing in things that I already had.  I learned and imagined a lot from this and a Honda Civic and I'm now doing a lot of more built in type things in a Kia Sportage.  

The front seat is still in it but I took out the seat behind it and replaced it with a wooden box fastened down with the same bolts.  The cooler goes between the front seat and the new box and they are both level with the rear of the car and this makes a bed 6'2" long.  The back of the front seat is the headboard and the ceiling light is in easy reach. During previous trips in the Kia I've found that when I push the driver seat forward and tilt the back of it forward I have a very roomy living space.  The new wooden box, on my right, provides kitchen, counter and storage.

When I moved about 8 years ago I made about 6 trips with the Saturn.  Rear and right seats were removed.  Plywood was screwed to the roof racks.  Large furniture was screwed to the plywood.  Smaller things went inside or between larger things on the top.  The top was then wrapped in commercial stretch wrap.  One ratchet strap went over the load and through the doors.  I fastened it to the car, not the roof racks.  A longer strap left the trunk between the lid and the window and went forward.  The other end went under the hood and fastened to the lift ring on the engine.

Some of these loads looked very scary and I almost wanted a cop to stop me so I could show off.  Didn't see them anywhere.