Installing rotating seats in a 2006 Ford Econoline E150 E250 E350 Van

I just installed rotating seat bases for the stock front seats in my 2006 Ford E-350 Econoline and thought I'd share the process. This process is the same for all Econoline vans from 1996 up so hopefully this will help someone out.
Parts (available at www.discountvan...)
$229 - Driver side rotating base
$209 - Passenger side rotating base
Tools:
Socket set
T55 Torx
Box-cutter
Scissors
Here are the steps:
- Disconnect battery 30 minutes ahead of time (not necessary, but since you are disconnecting the airbag sensors, probably worth doing)
- Disconnect airbag sensor wire from both seats
- Remove seats from stock bases
- Remove bases from floor
- Remove black plastic cover from under driver's side seat base (leave the metal thing - it's for your airbags)
- Cut the plastic back from where the new bases will sit and remove the padding underneath (this helps the new bases sit flush with the floor)
- Vacuum everything
- Install rotating bases (release lever goes on the left)
- Install stock seats
- Reconnect airbag sensor wire and make sure there is enough wire and it doesn't stick or get tangled when you rotate the seat
- Tighten all bolts
- Test your new rotating seats
- Reconnect battery
- Celebrate!
Hope this helps someone out.

[@nickprater2785]

I swear I love people that make clear, concise videos. Great job!

[@shankyclause8728]

Exactly. Most creators wanna show some ridiculous flame and smoke graphics, then throw in useless stories about their personal life and add in some horrible sound to boot just to irritate your last nerve. Than after all the bullshit, they refuse to show accurate details of what their attempting to instruct about

[@BTNomad]

I think this is exactly the video I need so I can replace my RV seats with captain's chairs. Thanks!

[@tulefrog]

Great video, it made things easy for me. By the way, the front mounting bolts require a Torx Plus 55 (TP55) driver not a T55 driver. The T55 will work but can damage the bolt and or the bit, especially if the bolts are difficult to remove. I did use a T55 without any problems but am ordering a TP55 for future use.

[@gissicarms6468]

Awesome! We want to do this in our van and it doesn’t look too hard at all. Thanks for uploading! ☺️

[@DeliberateNRandom]

I swapped some seats out in a couple E150 vans at work. This is a simple bolt on. I want to see if I can find an aftermarket one for less.

[@vangazmicvoyage5077]

GREAT! Thank you so much, I've been thinking of doing it to my 2007 E250 van but I hadn't done enough research and I didn't want to get into something I couldn't handle. Looks easy enough now that I've seen you do it. I was debating building a partition wall but the extra seating for the back is really handy.

[@bvd1587]

I'm glad I watched this video. I thought I had the passenger seat backwards. It feels like you do lose a little leg room in the passenger seat even when it's all the way back. Thanks to your video I see that you can't sit in the seat and swivel it around. You have to move the seat forward then spin to clear the center console and side post.

[@mr.h5436]

nice video. I bought a 2006 E350 new for family/towing back then. Best tow vehicle ever but I thought the seats were uncomfortable. This swivel plus a better seat would have made it so much better for us.

[@mattkessler7660]

thank you for this!!! I love saving all the links to you adventure mobile builders, it helps me plan and find parts for my own. :)

[@sydandmacky]

🤘

[@paturicu]

Thanks man! We did the exact same thing. Worked like a charm

[@dans1516]

where do you get the swivel parts?

[@garrettcurtis6199]

I just bought a passenger side swivel off your link-can't wait to install it in my rig! Side note: you two are just the best!

[@sydandmacky]

+Garrett Curtis aw shucks! Good luck with the install! It's such a great addition!

[@sandystelljes617]

Can you please post the link for the swivel base? This is just what I am looking for; thanks!

[@sydandmacky]

It's in the description.

[@AndreBellCopywriter]

Thanks. I was considering converting one of these into a gaming (napping) chair using an old office chair's base. Think I'll just buy a gaming chair instead. Looks like the Econoline chair will topple over w/o true floor mounting. Thanks for your video.

[@ln4987830]

there are so many different swivel seats! Which one to buy? I have a Ford 2003 E150 Econovan I just want to make sure to order the right one! Any suggestions or links

[@dans1516]

does this raise the seat somewhat? where do you get the parts?

[@wyocoyotewyocoyote9007]

Thanks, I was trying to look up what front bucket or captains seats are compatible for my e350 chassis RV which has typical "overstuffed" silly RV captains chairs that look comfortable. but aren't on longer rides so hunting stock or aftermarket seats. I know the drivers will be no-go for a rotating base because of the rv furniture behind butts right up to the back of the drivers seat. The passenger seat is another story, Your post is helpful. looks like it may go. My RV has a step up of x (I'd guess 8) inches to accommodate all the campers guts. I'd venture to guess most van conversion RVs do. It looks like the base would allow the passenger seat to rotate and clear. However it may make it difficult to get to the "controls" to move it back and 4th etc. I'll post when I measure ( or get it done). Tight squeeze with the steering wheel eh? I'd be interested to know if you end up swiveling that one much or just the passenger side. ONE SITE INDICATES THE FRONT SEATS HAVE 1997 - like 2014 compatibility.......I'm still researching, and not compatible with f series trucks (I bet because need for taller bases.

[@dominiquereveleau3173]

Hello, I am French and I would like to put both my driver and passenger seats by swivelling on my 2005 E350. You can send me the link so that I can buy the material Thank you in advance Dominique

[@debrahayes2572]

Where did you buy your swivel bases from? Would they fit a 2019 Thor Motorcoach Ford E350 cab?

[@sydandmacky]

Check the description

[@mattpistritto1424]

any way to do this with the driver seat being power ?

[@davidgsr6013]

I love what you did. Where can I buy the rotating base and how much it cose

[@sgbskates]

My passenger side just arrived and I can't get the thing to swivel. Also, why is there not a hole in the base for the wire to go through? As it is, the weight of the passenger just crushed the wire.

[@dans1516]

Love the video thanks. Can you tell me how much leg room you have (on the driver side) ..Like how far past the cup-holder pedestal do your feet go when you are 180 degrees swivelled.

[@frankohjoe970]

were can I buy these? please don't say check the description.

[@lawlessmt]

Thanks brother... super helpful!

[@Jabba53e]

I did the same thing with mine....works as good as yours too...HOWEVER, the problem I ran into was when it came time to close the Driver's door.....it didn't. The armrest intereferred with door closure. I noticed you did not close the door....did you run into the same problem? If so, what did you do? I hate to think everytime I have to remove the armrest.

[@udmbfckx2916]

Found this video. However I am looking for swivel seats for a non-power-seat passenger seat in a 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan. It seems that the swivels are widely available for the bigger vans. If anyone knows of minivan swivel-seat platforms, could you please let me know? Thanks!

[@cesarflaminio4011]

Couldn’t you get them for shipper price? I saw those rotating bases for $less than $100

[@1992rj]

Hey! Did you remove the silver pin when the seat base arrived? We can’t seem to swivel ours? Is it just stiff? Thanks!

[@sydandmacky]

Hmm... That was a long time ago so don't remember. They are pretty stiff, but we just pull the lever and spin.

[@COBBINATOR56]

This is great! thanks! Hey man, do you know my options for replacing seats? I have a 199 8 ecoline e350 bus. Looks the same, but my seats are done... Wonder if there is an adapter of some kind. Went to the local junk yard and all the ford trucks have different bolt patterns..

[@emiliorajme4352]

Hi there! Nice video. Is the rotating mechanism activated with a lever? And another question. Can the rotation be locked or not at all? Thanks, man.

[@sydandmacky]

It locks when facing forward only and you use a lever to release it so it can rotate.

[@emiliorajme4352]

@@sydandmacky Perfect. Thank you for your answer. Cheers!

[@keunhyungkimswim]

how about 2008 ford same model? will fit or not.

[@senglebe]

Did you guys find that this helped the ergonomics of the seating position at all? Mine is fairly uncomfortable in the stock position. It feels like my seat needs to scoot another inch or two rearward to be comfortable. Appreciate any insight! Thanks

[@sydandmacky]

Pretty sure it's in the same position afterwards, so unfortunately probably not the solution you're looking for.

[@senglebe]

@@sydandmacky Thank you, i appreciate the follow up!

[@denz5085]

Hey guys, i know its been a year now since this post but just wanted to know if this swivel base squeaks or make any noise while driving (with or without passenger sitting) this looks like what Sportsmobile sells but $100 cheaper..

[@sydandmacky]

Nope. We haven't had any issues with noise, movement it anything. They've been holding up great!

[@marlonhernandez8411]

1:00 what is that thing?

[@comedycrackhead]

What about a 95?

[@happycampingcouple4558]

Nice. Are the seats still at the same height as they were before the swivel? I owned a van in the past that the front seats needed to be lowered! Thanks

[@sydandmacky]

+Happy Camping Couple I didn't notice any significant change in the height. Pretty sure they stayed the same...

[@happycampingcouple4558]

SYD and MACKY awesome. Thanks. I'm getting ready for my next van build and will be installing both swivels. Thanks!

[@Taylormadee40]

a lifesaver. thank you!!! im just wondering if i would be able to attach any seat to this base?

[@sydandmacky]

Nope, these are for the stock seats

[@Quidamkid]

Do you have to remove the negative cable from the battery before disconnecting the airbag wiring under the seat? Just curious - you didn't say.

[@sydandmacky]

I think I did. Can't remember. But always a good idea!

[@Quidamkid]

Thank you, I have watched a dozen or more videos on removing seats and they never say one way or the other.

[@louisfehlig7903]

Where did you find those seat covers? Thoughts on those? It's tough to find seat covers for these big captains chairs...

[@sydandmacky]

They came with the van and we ended up pulling them off. Don't like when the covers slide around!

[@hectoririzarry3155]

Good video. Where did you buy that swivel base from ? I searched the internet and I can't find them

[@hectoririzarry3155]

Can't find it in description

[@samsathavipat4227]

Where do you buy this swivel base? Please provide the link, thanks.

[@sydandmacky]

In the description

[@laronis]

You bought the rotating seats from the same place i found them at. But the problem i have is that they say "Approved for seats without air bags". So i have to give up my air bags? Not going to happen.

[@sydandmacky]

We still have our airbag sensors connected, you just have to make sure there's enough wire for them to spin without pulling on the wire.

[@laronis]

@@sydandmacky Thx, I thought that might be the problem, but since they made such a blanket statement, i was very uncertain with that declaration.

[@ln4987830]

do they tilt?

[@roywhelchel153]

You don’t have to take backseat out find the button next to seat and let the bed down

[@christopherfaeth9903]

Whats the thing under the seat?

[@sydandmacky]

On the driver's side? Controls the airbag. I think.

[@ralphmartinet6167]

What's the cost make n part# of the swivel? Thanks

[@Thesepticsurgeon]

Ralph Martinet look in the description.

[@liphas2011]

Hey I've got a 1998 ford e350 where did you get the special tool and what is the name of brand please thanks

[@sydandmacky]

See description. It's a T55 Torx. Got it at Autozone.

[@liphas2011]

@@sydandmacky thanks man

[@samanthacasas3091]

How do you remove the seat?

[@josemartin530]

Just unscrew the 4 bolts attaches to the floor.

[@cesarflaminio3645]

I need only one, for my wife to face my kids, but is like $700, really expensive

[@dickmorrison5158]

Po

[@markcole8436]

Wouldn't it be great if somewhere in there he told you where he got the part from? instead of donkey ratchet mechanics. anybody can take a seat out where the hell do you find the part?

[@sydandmacky]

Wouldn't it be great if people looked in the obvious place where someone would include a link to the part? I.e. the video description 🤣