Swivel seat for front passenger captain chair - Question please regarding airbag safety

[caseyc]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, so please excuse me for this thread. I need to make a decision quickly in next couple days, and have specific questions related to this topic.<br><br>I'd like to make my front passenger captain seat to have swivel ability to turn 180 degrees backwards. One conversion shop I spoke with (let's call it Shop A) told me they will not do this under any circumstance. When questioned why, the rep explained that by disabling the wire underneath the front passenger seat, this in turn will deactivate the passenger side air bag, which in turn will also deactivate my driver side air bag, plus the alert light will come on the dashboard for the air bag being disabled. Is any of this true? &nbsp;I don't even know if my 1995 Ford E150 Econoline conversion van has air bags for either the passenger or driver. &nbsp;I bought the van used, so I don't have the manual, plus online manuals only start for year 1996 and later.<br><br>Then I called my other conversion shop specialist (let's call it Shop B). The rep at this different location told me me he has safely installed many swivel bases for van captain chairs over the past 30 years. Plus he says that assuming if my van has air bags, they won't be disabled, and neither will the air bag warning light come on. &nbsp;This rep wants me to bring my van over for him to check out to make sure everything is okay before he orders the swivel part.<br><br>So who do I believe? Shop A that says my air bags will be screwed up and made disabled if I add swiveling ability to the passenger front seat? &nbsp;Or do I believe Shop B that says it's no problem to do this?<br><br>I know there are experts out there who probably know the answers. &nbsp;Please reply with input. &nbsp;Part of the reason why I need to know soon is that I'm taking my van to Shop A tomorrow that will add hole inserts to the van floor for adding a pole and a table top (similar to what a Vanagon has). &nbsp;Assuming if I can make the passenger front seat swivel backwards, I want to also add a hole insert and pole with table top immediately behind the passenger front seat. &nbsp;That way, I can swivel the passenger front seat backwards and have a nice round/octagon table to use for whatever suits my needs.<br><br>Thanks, and sorry again for starting a new thread on this topic.<br><br>Casey<br><br>

 

[Terry]

Just take it that the one that said it won't work is either lazy, telling a lie, or is just plain ignorant. and try to get a good idea weather or not the accommodating mechanic knows what he is doing. Sounds like he does but I don't know the situation. I'm a pretty good mechanic but I'm usually figuring things out as I go with different vehicles since I don't work as a mechanic and don't put my hands on a lot of different vehicles anymore. I did work as a mechanic when I was younger and also when I ran a small car lot/shop.

 

[caseyc]

I just did a Google search on this, and found this thread below.&nbsp; Apparently, there may be some validity regarding possibly disabling the airbag system if this process is done incorrectly.&nbsp; Hmmmmm, now I'm slightly worried.<br><br><a href="http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vi...1585&amp;sid=497f916c5056e030d0d12b719921e847" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vi...1585&amp;sid=497f916c5056e030d0d12b719921e847</a><br><br>

 

[Terry]

Most problems in this type of an upgrade would be caused by incorrect wiring. I always match the size wire and solder the connection with heat shrink to seal the weather form getting into the soldered area. I never had any problems and I used to replace airbags, sensors, and controllers when repairing some cars after accidents. Also, it's generally best to disconnect the battery before doing any work with/around wiring belonging to airbag systems.

 

[highdesertranger]

why does the wire need to be left unhooked its not like you are going to 360's and damage the wire.&nbsp; if he thinks this is going to be a problem you could limit the seat to 180 degrees this is all you need anyway,&nbsp; right?&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Why not disconnect it when the seat is turned around?<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[caseyc]

Thanks for your input guys. Unfortunately, I don't know enough on this topic, and I certainly won't be doing this project on my own. I will be taking the van to the other van conversion shop that is willing to do this. &nbsp;I've visited that same shop a few times for some work, so I know they will do a first rate job. &nbsp;I'm just going to go on faith that the conversion shop will have the expertise of knowing what they're doing. I'm going to drive the van to the place this weekend for them to check out the seat and order the part. Hopefully will have the swivel base installed sometime in the next couple weeks.<br><br>

 

[psytechguy]

By the looks of it, they make swivel seat adapters for vehicles that have airbags.<br><br>http://www.discountvantruck.com/rvvanseatbases/rvvanFordseatbases.htm<br><br>Don't know if you have a Ford or not, but that's the bookmark I had handy.&nbsp;

 

[highdesertranger]

casey ask him why the wire needs to be disconnected or are you taking it the shop that said they could do it?&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[caseyc]

I will take the van to the&nbsp;shop that says they can install the swivel seat base.&nbsp; The other shop says they either need to cut the wire, or somehow the wire will get messed up, so as to disable the airbag(s)...this same shop says they won't do the swivel base.

 

[highdesertranger]

ok casey I've got it now.&nbsp; the wire should not have to be disconnected I was confused.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[caseyc]

No worries. The shop that won't do the swivel seat implied to me that the wire will either get damaged or there's too much chance it will get damaged in the process and thereby disabling the airbags. &nbsp;But the other different shop says it should be no problem and he's done many such swivel seat conversions. &nbsp;I will go see that shop tomorrow to have them order the part to add the swivel ability. Hopefully everything will be okay. I'm looking forward to adding yet another 3rd removable table, but need the chair swivel project done first.<br><br>

 

[caseyc]

Here's an update: &nbsp;Yahooo! I finally got the swivel seat installed today! My front passenger seat now swivels 180 degrees backwards. Very cool! Only minor change is that the seat is now a few inches higher than before due to the swivel base installation. &nbsp;Everything seems to work perfectly with no problems. My van seems more like an RV now!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">&nbsp; My next step will be to add yet another removable table, this time behind the front passenger seat to be used when the seat is swiveled backwards.&nbsp;

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Cool beaners.&nbsp; I am curious to know who you are using for converting your van.&nbsp;

 

[Zil]

ref #13. How did you test the air bag? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[caseyc]

Actually, it turns out that there is NO airbag for the passenger side on my 1995 E150 Ford conversion van. Only the driver side has airbag on my van.<br><br>

 

[caseyc]

Here's a picture of the front passenger seat swiveled backwards! Total cost around $450 for parts and labor. Took over an hour to install the sucker because the mechanic had to drill new holes into the van floor to make the railing fit correctly.&nbsp; My GF at first wondered why the heck do I need a swivel chair?? But after it was all completed, and she sat in&nbsp;the seat&nbsp;for awhile swiveled backwards in reclining position with her feet up, she's now a believer!! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">&nbsp; Money well spent!

 

[VanFan]

Casey,<br>Is yours a power seat?&nbsp; I'm looking into doing this, but am not sure whether to try to tackle it using a swivel from Discount Van (about $275 with shipping), or have one installed locally (as much as $500).&nbsp; Also, when you say the seat sits a couple of inches higher, do you mean 1-1/2", or more like 3"?<br>Thanks!<br>Vickie

 

[caseyc]

<p>Hi Vikie,<br><br>No, my seat is not powered in any way.&nbsp; I'm guessing the seat now sits higher around 3 to 4 inches but I haven't measured, but positively more than a couple inches. Unless you are mechanically inclined, I wouldn't do it yourself.&nbsp; The mechanic had to drill additional holes to the floor&nbsp;to accommodate the railing to make it fit right, which is something I wouldn't do myself. But that's just me.<br><br>By the way, I just now added yet another removable table for the swivel seat! Can't wait to see it when I pick up the van at the conversion shop. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>Cheers,<br>Case</p>

 

[VanFan]

Thanks for the quick reply!&nbsp; We just took the seat off and measured between bolts.&nbsp; The measurements are different from what Discount Van shows for their universal swivel.&nbsp; I plan to give them a call tomorrow to see what they recommend.&nbsp; I may run out to the conversion shop early next week to get a firmer estimate.<br><br>It sounds like your van is really coming together!<br><br>Vickie