Interchangeable seats

[Frank1965]

Evening I’m not sure if this has been answered in the past . I’ve a 2007 alphard with reversible second row seats. A single seat and a double. Is it possible to replace the front passenger seat with the single second row seat to give a captains seat ? 

[Rojie]

43 minutes ago, Frank1965 said:

Evening I’m not sure if this has been answered in the past . I’ve a 2007 alphard with reversible second row seats. A single seat and a double. Is it possible to replace the front passenger seat with the single second row seat to give a captains seat ? 

 

Hi Frank,

 

My guess is almost certainly not. Think twice before attempting this modification.

I doubt the single middle will match the front seat fixing points.

If if they do, I would be very concerned about lack of crash tests, etc.

Even if they do fit, your Insurance company may be very unhappy.

 

What you can do is to get a mechanism that allows the front seat to swivel; if that helps.

Be warned, though, they are not cheap.

They also raise the front seat which may be a problem for tall passengers.

Measure carefully.

 

Unless the middle seat fit is exact,  including the seat belt attachment points., you may be endangering your front seat passenger in an accident.

 

Could you not not buy a correct front Captains seat (for your model) from a breakers / spare parts company ?

I have a 2006 model, seven seater, with a Captains seat for the passenger; so they are available.

The middle seats are both Captains too.

(You cannot fit two Captains seats in your van as the seat rails are different (to accomodate the 'double' seat).

 

Be cautious, be safe.

[Nigel Heyward]

Have to agree with Rolje on this, sounds like a bad idea even if it were feasible.

[Frank1965]

Thank you for the advise I’ll look at getting a swivel plate for the front seat 

[Frank1965]

Might be another stupid question but would the swivel plate from the middle row single seat not be suitable to be fitted to the existing passenger front seat, that  way keeping it original as possible ? Not even sure I’ll want a captain seat once tue conversion is complete 

[Rojie]

Hello Frank,

 

The real issue here is safety.

 

Seats are crash tested in the location they are designed for; the seat chassis, I believe is part of the testing.

 

I don't believe the middle seat will fit.

I have an early swivel middle seat, don't ask why, and it is totally different to the Captains seat fitted to my facelifted Gen 1.

 

Try North Star, IOW, for the seat swivel plate; although they may only fit, rather than supply. They are expensive.

 

Some other companies offer universal swivel plates. Be cautious, it is my opinion that most are intended for VWs.

[Frank1965]

Thanks I’ve seen an alphard specific swivel plate and yes they seem to be a bit more expensive than other vans and not as readily available, I’m not sure I want to change as I’m happy with the layout I guess I’m just forward thinking. I will switch my priority to upgrading the head unit. 
cheers 

[Chris.ac]

its not just the swivel aspect at the front, if you look at older Regius (chassis prior to alphard), the front seats swivelled, but you had to slide them first to allow the seats to clear the B pillar.

 

Saying that, maybe regius seats are worth looking at? Unfortunately I no longer have one to take measurements, the chassis is pretty much the same, so perhaps it had compatible mounting points.

[Frank1965]

Thanks for the advice and apologies for the late reply, I’ve decided against a swivel seat as I like the central pillar . My next job is to replace the head unit if there’s anyone that can be recommended 

[Brianh]

Hi one and all

Im new to Alphard just bought a 2012 hybrid my middle row two seat don’t turn can I fit turn plate’s so I can use them facing back when parked up.

On a different subject can any one tell how to get the window switches working on the drives door I can open my window and all the other windows switches work at all the other windows I’ve tried a reset process shown in one of the videos but it does not work on mine any advice would be good.

Thanks Brian