Swivel or Reclining Chair

[JeriLynn]

Hi all,
I have seen vans with the front passenger seat changed to a swivel chair or put on swivel base. Has anyone ever done this and do you know how he seat belts would work? Also, I was thinking that maybe there is some seat that fully reclines maybe from vans from the past. I am taking a trip with two in a minivan and I want to save as much space as possible in the back for stuff.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks and happy trails,
Jeri

 

[Almost There]

Hi all,
I have seen vans with the front passenger seat changed to a swivel chair or put on swivel base. Has anyone ever done this and do you know how he seat belts would work? Also, I was thinking that maybe there is some seat that fully reclines maybe from vans from the past. I am taking a trip with two in a minivan and I want to save as much space as possible in the back for stuff.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks and happy trails,
Jeri

There are swivel bases available from RV suppliers.

Here's a list of them from the RV capital of the nation:

https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=cr&ei=qUp6V9WFGcSwjwTw6J6wCw#q=RV+parts+elkhard

You can also try finding one in a junk yard, particularly if there isn't a stock seat base available for your specific vehicle.

I got my swivel base from a yard that was junking a couple of older RVs.

The base was from an era when the seat belt assembly was intregrated in the base as opposed to being on the wall of the van.

The bolt holes didn't match the seat that I had nor did it match the bolt holes in the floor of the van so it was off to the body shop for modifications. The extended arm with the seat belt assembly was cut off and ground smooth. The seat was measured to determine where it needed to go so that it could swivel with the passenger door closed. All new bolt holes were drilled and then the base and seat were installed.

Most current vehicle seats recline rather well although the high back on mine needs more room. I can recline it rather nicely by moving the seat position as far to the rear of the van as possible.

The other alternative, albeit most likely way more costly, is to replace both seats with captains seats with swivel bases.

I would have liked to have nice captains seats but really only needed one swivel base and my seats were in excellent condition so I opted for the lesser cost!

Because I used the stock seat in the van, the seat belt assembly needed no alteration at all.

 

[DannyB1954]

I don't know how your seat is made, would this work? http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200487875_200487875

 

[JeriLynn]

There are swivel bases available from RV suppliers.

Here's a list of them from the RV capital of the nation:

https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=cr&ei=qUp6V9WFGcSwjwTw6J6wCw#q=RV+parts+elkhard

You can also try finding one in a junk yard, particularly if there isn't a stock seat base available for your specific vehicle.

I got my swivel base from a yard that was junking a couple of older RVs.

The base was from an era when the seat belt assembly was intregrated in the base as opposed to being on the wall of the van.

The bolt holes didn't match the seat that I had nor did it match the bolt holes in the floor of the van so it was off to the body shop for modifications. The extended arm with the seat belt assembly was cut off and ground smooth. The seat was measured to determine where it needed to go so that it could swivel with the passenger door closed. All new bolt holes were drilled and then the base and seat were installed.

Most current vehicle seats recline rather well although the high back on mine needs more room. I can recline it rather nicely by moving the seat position as far to the rear of the van as possible.

The other alternative, albeit most likely way more costly, is to replace both seats with captains seats with swivel bases.

I would have liked to have nice captains seats but really only needed one swivel base and my seats were in excellent condition so I opted for the lesser cost!

Because I used the stock seat in the van, the seat belt assembly needed no alteration at all.

Thanks for the suggestion.  I had not thought of just changing the base.

happy trails,
jeri

 

[LoupGarou]

I vote for a rocker or glider. My comfort level increases if I have access to either.

 

[BobBski]

I ordered an adaptor, no drilling, use existing hardware. Take seat off base, attach adaptor to base, reattach seat. Raises seat about 1.5. I thought about a recliner but didn't want to pay storage for the seat should I decide to sell van later and buyers might want 2 seats. http://www.swivelsrus.com/ a bit pricey but very easy install.