Velfire 2010 Series 20 - Seat Runner Removal

[NorthBoy]

HI, I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

I've been busy removing the rear two seats and the running rails that attach on the LHS and RHS side of the vehicle.  I sued this Forum and the TC's Anything Goes videos on You Tube for assistance.  I am now however stuck, and it is driving me nuts.

 

1.  Firstly,  as is shown in Picture 2, the metal clips in the bracket are all raised - how can I lower them?  Not sure how they ended up like this, but I can't find away to release them so that lie flat within the bracket housing - Is it possible?

2. Ideally, I want to remove the two brackets that move along the runners on the floor tbh.  This will create a completely flat surface for what I want to do next.  However unlike series 10, I can't see blots that would allow me to unbolt the runners and slide off the brackets.  I've read the other advice for Series 10 and was hoping to following that method, but my runners appear bolted to the underside of the vehicle. with no access from within the vehicle itself  Also the bolt (picture 4) on the end of the runner also seems like it is fixed with tag-weld.  Is it possible to remove the ends and runners, or do I need to have them unbolted from the underneath of the vehicle?  If that is the case, can that be done DIY, or is it a trip to a garage.  If so anyone know of a garage/fitter who can do this.  I am based in the midlands.

 

Any help on this will be hugely appreciated.

 

Simon

[nigel swatts]

hi simon i have completely removed my runners for a conversion, you can remove the stops, the other side to the tag welded bolts you can unscrew to remove them, the slideing rsil pic 2 if the hooks are up you can just push them down or with a screwddriver placed on the locking hooks (as if the seat was locked in) the rails should slide easy. if you need to remove the rails totally the bolts are underneath lots of people said fule tank had to be dropped but i managed mine with out dropping tank reasonably easy.

hope this helps

Edited June 16 by nigel swatts

[Gamith]

I know nothing about the 20 series but have you tried moving the tab to one side and lowering the catches? Failing that the middle lever that is pointing up may be part of the system.

I have converted ours into a sort of camper van with an 18mm thick floor on top of the carpet. I left the runners and cut out slots around them instead, putting some rubmatting down over the top.

Recently I have added a false floor for bedding etc to stay.

[NorthBoy]

Nigel and Gamith,  I appreciate your advice.

 

I took a look at the rails when I got home from work this evening.  I managed to get the hooks lowered again.  Not entirely sure what I did but moving them back and forward seemed to 'release' something and they are both low again!  I even managed to remove one of the end stops (fresh eyes and Nigel's words).  There is a problem with the bolt on the other rail it keeps spinning without unscrewing - I am guess it is crossed threaded or something.  I'll need to work out how to get that undone.

 

Having seen how this works now, I am going to see if the brackets can be slid off the front end of the rails (by the drivers door well - if there is enough space.  All the seats will need to come out, but if possible it means I don't need to get under the vehicle.  I can then remove the brackets and re-instate the brackets for the middle seats and refit the seats!

 

Nigel - when you unbolted the rails from underneath, did you have the vehicle up on a ramp, or raised on your drive way with a jack and stays?

[Rojie]

On 6/15/2025 at 6:17 PM, NorthBoy said:

HI, I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

I've been busy removing the rear two seats and the running rails that attach on the LHS and RHS side of the vehicle.  I sued this Forum and the TC's Anything Goes videos on You Tube for assistance.  I am now however stuck, and it is driving me nuts.

 

1.  Firstly,  as is shown in Picture 2, the metal clips in the bracket are all raised - how can I lower them?  Not sure how they ended up like this, but I can't find away to release them so that lie flat within the bracket housing - Is it possible?

2. Ideally, I want to remove the two brackets that move along the runners on the floor tbh.  This will create a completely flat surface for what I want to do next.  However unlike series 10, I can't see blots that would allow me to unbolt the runners and slide off the brackets.  I've read the other advice for Series 10 and was hoping to following that method, but my runners appear bolted to the underside of the vehicle. with no access from within the vehicle itself  Also the bolt (picture 4) on the end of the runner also seems like it is fixed with tag-weld.  Is it possible to remove the ends and runners, or do I need to have them unbolted from the underneath of the vehicle?  If that is the case, can that be done DIY, or is it a trip to a garage.  If so anyone know of a garage/fitter who can do this.  I am based in the midlands.

 

Any help on this will be hugely appreciated.

 

Simon

 

Firstly,

 

Do you have a 10 series, as in your profile, or a 20 series ?

Your profile needs to be accurate or members will not be able to provide relevant guidance !

 

I believe on either, you have to partially remove the rails and slide the seat carriers out.

 

Refitting, as they say, is a simple reverse process.

 

The good news is if you have a series 10 that is done from inside, the not so good news is if you have a seies 20 it is done from underneath the van.

[NorthBoy]

Well over the weekend I managed to finish this little project.  Starting with the idea of removing the two rear seats and their sliders that sit in the rails, I eventually removed the middle seats and their sliders as well.  I now have an empty back to start the next phase of remodelling.  The rails are still in place but that doesn't bother me.  

This was done without removing the rails from the flooring, which on my Series 20 can only be done by accessing bolts underneath the vehicle.  I didn't have the facility to do that. 

Below, for those that might be considering something similar is now I did this for a Series 20 2010 Vellfire.  

 

- I used You Tube videos as a guide for some of this - 'Anything Goes channel has some excellent guides.

- The basic approach is that the sliders on the rail have to be removed by skiing them front towards the front of the vehicle.  To create space to do that all seats need to removed.

- Removed the rear seats and sliding rails and runners on the side of the vehicle.  You'll need to physical with the plastic covers on the side of the vehicle, but it is not difficult

- Removed the two middle seats.  My are manual, so just four bolts and lift.  They are heavy so needed a hand with that.

- Removed the two front seats.  Again four bolts, taking care to disconnect the electric connection underneath before lifting off.   Front seats need to be removed so you create space to run the sliders off the rails.  There is not enough space at the back between the end of the rails and the rear door sill.

- Removed the console between the two front seat.  My is a simple plastic box, no electrics.  Two screws hold it down on a metal bracket.  They are accessible at the rear of the box by removing the plastic cover.  Remove the screws, then lift it off by tilting forward first, then up.

- Remove the 'stop' brackets at the end of each of the four rails.  Becareful to turn the bolt the correct way.  The bolts are soft and it is easy to strip the thread.

- You'll need to lift the carpet at the front to give you space for the runners as they come off the rails.  Nothing is stuck down so can be lifted easily.  I also found that I needed to unbolt the bracket that was holding the centre console box as the rails couldn't get past it without it being removed.  Four bolts to unscrew.

- There is a 'stopping bracket' in each of the two long rails that prevent the middle seats from moving too far forward.  Use an Allan Key to take those out.

- Carefully slide out the sliders - pressing the release clip.  They have loads of crease on them, so clean your hands before touching anything else.  I marked with with pen on masking tape so I know what goes where if I ever come to put them back - LHS, RHS, font and back.

- That's it really.  You'll need to lift the carpet in places, but nothing is glued down.  It took me about three hours in total with a little help with lifting the heavy seats and holding back carpet while I unbolted things.  Don't forget to put back the 'stops' on the rails so they are not lost.

 

I found the videos on you tube and some of the mentions here on the forum a great help.  A few photos attached.

 

[Jimmympv]

Great work so far, looking forward to future updates, what's your end goal? 

[NorthBoy]

Jimmympv,

We're looking at a couple of options currently.  We don't want the full conversion (aka VW kitchen and rock and roll bed), as feel that takes up too much space in quite a small area tbh.  We are currently looking at various options that have a full time seating bench and kitchen drawer, with the ability to expand into twin bed.  Will share some pictures along the way.

[Jimmympv]

The wife and I are thinking similar. A full side kitchen conversion isn’t really what we are after either. 
 

we kind of want to keep it as close to original as possible or at least being able to revert back to 7 seats without too much hassle. 
 

We’ve actually slept in the back of it for a night just with the rear seats up and middle row pushed all the forward and it wasn’t too bad aside from the annoying rear seat brackets getting in the way on the floor. 
 

We want a leisure battery but finding a place for it to go is a pain, I’m tempted to block off the rear drivers side like they do in the side conversions just so I can add a bit of extra storage and have somewhere to hide the battery and plug sockets. That or just get a Jackery or similar to save the trouble. 
 

looking forward to see how you get on.