installing bench seat in a van and our new van layout plans

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This week we are installing a foldable bench seat from Suburban Seats into our new 2019 4x4 170" Sprinter van. We can't wait to get this seat installed properly with the help of our friend Orry so that we can finally go for a ride with Vance! We also share some of our plans for our new van layout.
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[@SaraandAlexJames]

Get the details on the bench install here: bit.ly/2SjeBcA

[@sanderbabe6170]

Link is private now... was open up until some days ago. Wanted to download your pictures to show my installer, but can't do that any more. Do you mind sharing the pictures from this article?

[@garymcdonald769]

The seat is a great idea ! I was wondering if you had contacted your insurance company to see if they would cover passengers riding with the add on seat in a cargo van.

[@Ross-ye3ep]

That’s a great question I’ve always wondered the legal parts about doing this, I really want to do this in my minivan camper !

[@miguelzamora2011]

I'm almost positive that after you get it crash tested, the rest should be easy... Theoretically

[@methodvisual]

In Canada I was told by the dealerships that if seats are added to a cargo van insurance will not cover the other passengers. Need a crew van that is rated for 4-5 passengers from factory. You can then change seats to different styles by approved manufacturers.

[@MissAnthropic_theOG]

I live in boise. I hate it here so much. It's nice in the mountains but I really want to leave idaho.

[@Chefsantatravels]

Merry Christmas your van is gonna look really good I love that seat 👍👍 stay safe stay strong stay healthy god bless and enjoy life👨‍🍳🎅🥓🥩🌶🚍🚌

[@fredyhernandez1386]

Hi Alex my name is Freddie and run a renovation company business where did you buy the bench seat from? that a great idea. I have a ford transit van also and I always had the problem that I can't send to the jobsite more than 2 guys in the van.

[@viranjith]

How about rear air bags? Is that a concern for you?

[@APar-yx1wl]

Great job on bench seat. Thx 4 sharing

[@6kidsand8cupsofcoffee]

We r in MD but we r really gonna need this seat for summer would love to connect this summer so out two teens can legally be in the van

[@luzbel4469]

Does it recline???? 🤦🤦‍♀🤦‍♂

[@janadawn68]

Vance’s seat in ☑️; you’re on your way to hittin the road again. But where’s the spot for Bam & Nugget’s crate? Gotta have that!! Hope your first Christmas 🎄with your sweet boy is awesome and can’t wait to see what y’all get up to in 2020. Happy 🎅🏼 Holidays from Kentucky 😊

[@JosueStephens]

Hi I have the exact seat and a sprinter 170. Do you have exact dimensions of the brackets?

[@mdender77]

Really like that seat. Wish I had seen this video 5 days ago when I bought the transit bench 🤪

[@danielfunk1979]

Great video James, questions for you. 1) Do you think it's possible to weld an extension onto the base of the seat so it sits higher to be the same height as the driver seat in a promaster when it swivels around? 2) Are you going to do all of the flooring around the installed seat, or do you take it out, do the entire floor then redrill the holes through the insulated floor. Thanks

[@antonioscarlata8224]

Wish they would answer this I would also like to know both answers

[@Xavier-xi1ir]

Where can I buy that bench ???

[@davidcunningham-silman475]

The seat that you have just installed, is there a seat belt..or did I miss that..

[@dantegg9563]

So the seat belts come with the seat?

[@ninanegara2447]

Hello, may I know where did you bought this passenger seat? I cannot find any one like that. Thank you.

[@thepatternforms859]

How terrible has the engine been? Faulty DEF system? Nox sensors? Electrical faults?

[@user-wq3jv5et8d]

Folding bench seat is truly a brilliant space management idea... but not without reservation whether it may withstand the stress caused by a collision with an adult or two strapped on it with seatbelts. Could you share the spec of the seat on that particular concern? Cheers!

[@kimg9265]

Love, love, love this. We will be looking for a van build hopefully next year and are looking for ideas to transport at least one grandchild occasionally. Would love to find a double bench that will actually swivel to the wall though, so we can sit in it like a sofa to view out the door. Is there a way to do that and still be legal as forward passenger seat when driving?

[@heathermerkley4451]

Hi Kim, did you ever find out if this was possible for you? I'm interested in doing the same thing.

[@kimgilmoregraves9026]

@@heathermerkley4451 I have yet to find a bench seat that will turn along the wall when not driving. (Let me know if you find one.) We are considering opting for the sofa/bed solution that legally has seatbelts in it already, but much won't be decided for us til we know what vans are available when hubby retires. (He decided to stay working longer during covid). Best wishes in your travels. :)

[@roseboudreaux4645]

@@kimgilmoregraves9026 I think it’s more about the floor than the bench itself. I would like to do the exact same thing in my van. I’ve seen it somewhere! Check out Smart Floor. I think they can do a custom floor that accommodates the changing of direction for a couch, you would have to manually change it though. Anyway, that’s my avenue to get it done, if possible. Safe travels! 🇺🇸🦋✌🏽

[@babisjo]

Does this bench lay back into a bed?

[@JohnDrach]

Did you have to drop the gas tank. How hard was that?

[@jonfulg234]

What model of seat did you end up choosing?

[@ruthrodriguez2183]

Do u sell this 2 seater foldaway seats?

[@jonalta3569]

What year suburban are these seat from ?

[@bonitabromeliads]

That seat costs more than my van.

[@shawnchong]

Very cool... music just a little "played out"... reminds me of 2015 Instagram #vanlife 🤣

[@CosyPosy]

The audio quality on that van call was surprisingly good xD

[@gordonneate1297]

In your van layout guide you have recommended two different bench seat heights. In some of the renderings and in SketchUp you recommend a 17” height but in the “Build Tips and How Tos” you recommend 18.5 “. which is the appropriate height if I extend to use 4” foam cushions? Thanking you in advance for your clarification. Cheers.

[@DeliberateNRandom]

I have two of these in my bus. Freeman brand. Planning to rearrange them into a dinette.

[@beemerrox123]

Does it have to pass like a MOT safety inspection (the bench seat that is)? Like here I have to get it certified and tested before it is approved.....

[@paulkajtna7799]

I wonder if the mounting location will allow for the optional larger 47 gallon fuel tank?

[@MiguelCalderon-q4k]

Where can I buy the seat?

[@nadinetownsend2096]

How can we contact you to have seats put in our transport mini bus?

[@SaraandAlexJames]

Send us an email at [e-mail]

[@alexeysherbinin5625]

Hello Alex &Sara!!! Where can I buy such a seat?

[@hanasl2582]

Look up top there is a pinned comment with the link to the seat.

[@dinobischofberger2271]

Corey Feldman much?

[@midnite22767]

Looking forward to following the progress!

[@geofffelsing1283]

everyone wants to wear carhartts until it's time to carharrt work; city PEOPLE!

[@thepatternforms859]

Does this bench seat screw up ability to install larger fuel tank?

[@allanemperador1086]

How did you disable the alarm, and still be able to lock your doors?

[@glamgirltv5650]

I’m so glad you posted this!!💗💗

[@thepatternforms859]

Is there a seat like this that also folds out into a flat bed???

[@marieacuna2207]

Beautiful couple I'm so proud of you both hugs to baby boy 🤗. Have a blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2020. 🎄🎉🎊🚐 Greetings from San Jose, CA 😎

[@yorotirb3941]

would you have the co name or website of the seat?

[@meganclemens5585]

does the bench lay all the way back flat to convert to a bed?

[@Urumitals]

We need these seats in Europe. Nowhere to find them

[@raymercado3650]

Nice Idea👍 How would hide it or make use of that space?

[@deestanley9774]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!!! Sending love from Oklahoma!!!❤️

[@thepatternforms859]

Do they make a 3 person size one of these seats?

[@jaycegarcia2830]

This is great! 🙌🏼 on a side note, I was wondering if you could show us in depth how you frame the windows and the bathroom door! Nobody talks about this interestingly enough...

[@emmyember2138]

Hi can you link me to the bench seat?

[@thegkaratasios]

Do those also fall back to form a bed?

[@vangeezerexperience]

That's the sound a welder should make :) Happy holidays to You all.

[@williamfogel6727]

Would this work with baby seats? Been hoping to find a foldable with the metal hooks rather than belt through

[@rebeccagoetz2626]

Also looking for a baby seat solution. This one doesn’t appear to have anchors on the back which are required for forward facing. Head rests are also required by most car seat companies.

[@nyleah411]

Your installs and work is very detailed and particular! I completely respect that! Great job!

[@amandaaa21921]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 Love the seat and welcome to the new employee!

[@coollstuff2]

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

[@mayinnlin1879]

Awesome! Happy Holidays. Thank you 😊😍

[@vancouver9111]

Very helpful ideas. Thanks

[@baserlove]

Hey, I was just wondering why you guys decided to not go with the 170 extended version. Thanks in advance!

[@thepatternforms859]

Bc driving even a 170 is horrible like a bus and the 170 ext would be pure torture?

[@luzejo28]

Merry Christmas!! 🎄❣💮🏵🥂

[@elyeye81]

hello from new york cuestion were u buy this seat fold bench please

[@lisagreengloria2364]

It’s called a Freedman 3PT seat. I have one in my E350 high top cargo van. Excellent extra seat.

[@luzejo28]

That's a cool seat/bench!! 😍

[@douglasfuentes2737]

Cory Feldman???

[@mathalwaysii]

Hi I love watching your channel. Just the fact that you both make it so chill and relax though the projects at least to me are quite complex. May I ask when you install additional seats to a cargo van, how does insurance work? Are you in network as a licensed uplifters? I am trying to find laws and regulations and can't find anything but did find articles that insurance might not cover for additional seats installed...can you shed some insights on this topic if you know. Thanks!

[@0912345678ify]

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