Removing the seats ready for conversion

[rolling-slab]

Hi people,

I will be removing the rear seats from my Alphard ready for the new conversion in a couple of weeks. The single seat in the middle row swivels round. I was wondering, can that be swapped for the front passenger seat to save me buy a swivel seat turntable?

[Rojie]

11 hours ago, rolling-slab said:

Hi people,

I will be removing the rear seats from my Alphard ready for the new conversion in a couple of weeks. The single seat in the middle row swivels round. I was wondering, can that be swapped for the front passenger seat to save me buy a swivel seat turntable?

 

Hello Nick,

 

There are universal fittings to swivel fronts seats. 

Be careful, as most are designed for Volkswagen Vans.

NorthStar Conversions, on the IOW, do swivels for the fronts seats (Gen 1  at least), but they are expensive, and do not (or did not) fit the middle row.

They also add height, so if your passengers are tall that could be a consideration.

You may also have to remove the console between the front seats to enable the seat to swivel.

 

I don't have the single swivel seats. Is it a rare Captains seat ?

 

I think you will find the 'normal' swivelling single seat is fitted to an offset frame. If so, you would need to estimate it'snew position relative to all the other hardware.

 

Are you considering a three seater Alphie ?

 

 

[rolling-slab]

Mine is an 07 8 seater but all the middle row seats turn around to face the back. I was thinking can I take the middle seat that turns around and fit it to the front passenger seat space to save me buying a turntable.

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, rolling-slab said:

Mine is an 07 8 seater but all the middle row seats turn around to face the back. I was thinking can I take the middle seat that turns around and fit it to the front passenger seat space to save me buying a turntable.

 

What would be your plan for the front seat ?

Fit it in the middle ? Junk it ?

If you junk it you will have seat runners where you don't want them

 

My guess is, and it is a guess, is you won't be able to do it.

 

Furthermore, your middle row seat will have a lap belt, and your front seat will have a three point arrangement.

These would need to be fully functional or Mr MOT might not be too pleased.

 

My advice, if you are committed to a front swivel is get in touch with NorthStar Conversions; they know what they are doing.

 

Your other option, of course, is to ask your convertor what they can/will/could do.

[rolling-slab]

I'll be getting rid of all the middle seats as its going to have a rock n roll bed installed.  TBH I find the prices of some of these companies absolutely ridiculous. I'm fairly handy and have a workshop full of joinery equipment. I believe I can do the conversion installation myself expect for the Pop Roof. I'm going to buy the side conversion as a kit and rock n roll  bed and install it myself  along with solar panels and  24v hook up. I may pay someone to do the split charger if the solars aren't adequate as I know running the cable through the van maybe difficult if you've never done it before. Working on an Alphard is much trickier than with a basic van as its more car derived than work vans.

 

[Rojie]

10 minutes ago, rolling-slab said:

I'll be getting rid of all the middle seats as its going to have a rock n roll bed installed.  TBH I find the prices of some of these companies absolutely ridiculous. I'm fairly handy and have a workshop full of joinery equipment. I believe I can do the conversion installation myself expect for the Pop Roof. I'm going to buy the side conversion as a kit and rock n roll  bed and install it myself  along with solar panels and  24v hook up. I may pay someone to do the split charger if the solars aren't adequate as I know running the cable through the van maybe difficult if you've never done it before. Working on an Alphard is much trickier than with a basic van as its more car derived than work vans.

 

 

OK, side conversion then; you didn't mention that.

 

If you are doing this all yourself be very, very, careful with any front seat  modifications.

In the case of an accident that seat needs to remain exactly where it is supposed to be !

 

Have you ever seen an Aplhie stripped of its innards ?

As you say, they are no van. Rather a mobile executive lounge; hence their popularity.

They are much more complicated that they appear.

 

Good Luck, you may need it.