Use a driver seat as a single passenger seat and save a fortune!!!

[@ludwigvb2943]

I used a base of a driver side from 2006-2014 for my 2015 and a meriva seat. Works as well, no issues with mot. Greetings.

[@thecorbies]

Excellent video. My bus had no original passenger seat of any kind so a complete seat sub frame structure was fabricated and a Mercedes (heated) seat fitted - which already had a built in seat belt receiver. A new (long) seat belt was fitted to the corresponding passenger door pillar, and just as yours has, mine flew through it's MOT with no hassle whatsoever. Regards Mark in the UK

[@GregVirgoe]

Hi Keith, do you recall the reason why you couldn’t swap the pretensioned from one side to the other rather than fit a conventional stalk?

[@brikfiend]

Great idea ,thanks for posting this video .

[@craster_van_kippers]

Thanks. Gotta say I’m in Spain at the mo. Tempted to go to a van breakers and bring back as many seats as I can.

[@HarryMac1]

I hope that threaded rod is high tensile steel.

[@craster_van_kippers]

@@HarryMac1 it’s as strong as the bolt that was in. And the other pivot bolts. Not to mention replacing an m10 for m13.

[@HarryMac1]

@@craster_van_kippers are you sure, the original high tensile M10 bolt will be much stronger than your M13 rod.

[@slowmadders]

Hi Keith, we're about to do this ourselves and had a quick question. When you made this modification to the seat does it prevent the seat from being tilted? It wasn't completely clear whether what you modified still allowed the seat to pivot. I'm asking because I found a similar video where somebody pointed this out in the comments section and it seemed like the approach you took was identical. Thanks!

[@craster_van_kippers]

Hello As it happens im in the van now. The recline knob still allows the seat back to move from up right to recline as normal. I suspect you’re referring to the two handles that move the entire seat either lean forward or back. The answer is yes. Plus of course lt alsostill slides forward and back on the rails and is also mounted Ona swivel. Sorry for the long answer. I could have just said yes. Have fun with your build. I’m about to do another one. (Daughter has her eye on it).

[@slowmadders]

@@craster_van_kippers thanks for the speedy reply! Think I will go ahead and order the bits I need and do it anyway but just wanted to check I understood correctly. Thank you, we’re 3 months in now!! Have fun with your next one on the horizon 😉

[@craster_van_kippers]

Hi again Just had a thought. If using the threaded bar it would prevent the tilt if you overtighten the nuts. I suppose I just automatically nipped them up tight and then backed off half a turn. The outer ones are nylocks and so I don’t expect them to get more loose. One thing for sure is that when in Europe again this summer I’ll be looking for a couple of drivers seats to bring home. (Gold dust)

[@leeblackbourn3062]

Great video 🎉 is 13mm bar m12?

[@craster_van_kippers]

Aye that’ll do it. I kind of regret making this vid. Loads of others have done similar ones and now I’ve noticed the price of driver seats has gone right up. Thanks for watching and asking.

[@leeblackbourn3062]

@@craster_van_kippers yes I've paid 220 for one 😫

[@davidhunt3535]

Fantastic video. Just doing mine now. Could you tell me where you bought the seat covers from please? Cheers, Dave.

[@craster_van_kippers]

I see they’re still listed on eBay. The seller is “car seat cover-uk” they’re now £24. If you take the time to fit them neatly, they look okay. I had to buy two uk drivers seat covers which means a bit of fettling on the passenger arm rest etc. for the money what was a stop-gap solution still looks good and in fact has had compliments. However if you want something more special, have a look online at “van pimps” site. Some people comment that the armrest is of course near the door when driving. So it is. However when swivelled it’s perfect. If I get time I might try fitting an extra arm. On another note; my fridge mod has been so successful, I’m installing a fridge freezer this week.

[@davidhunt3535]

Thanks for the quick reply. I have ordered the ones you used because I also think they look fab. Many thanks , Dave.

[@RobboAndTheculv]

Could this be done on a vivaro xx

[@offroad3607]

Just preparing to do the same with my van, I do notice that you are pointing to the incorrect pivot point bolts, otherwise great informative video. 👍

[@craster_van_kippers]

Aye I see what you mean. The perils of trying to hold a camera etc. I’m no KZbinr. Did it all work okay for you?

[@offroad3607]

@@craster_van_kippers It did, I had pretensioners on the double seat, and got a airbag warning sign, a couple of cheap resistors from eBay sorted that.

[@markharris8929]

Think most scrappies have cottoned on to this. UK drivers seats selling in Europe and EU car drivers seats on sale in UK on sites. I’ve just taken a deep breath and bought a Polish drivers seat to match my Transit Custom one. Painful but a lot easier.

[@craster_van_kippers]

Yeah. I’ve been tempted to bring seats back from Europe travels. Problem is it would be better further from channel but nowhere to carry them that far.

[@jancaga9487]

Hi, very nice hack. Have you found also a solution, how to change armrest to the opposite side? Now it is located on window side (in driving direction) where is not needed. many thanks

[@craster_van_kippers]

no! I don’t think it’s worth the hassle. I’m in Europe at the moment and may try getting a seat here

[@serenity_xplorer5176]

Hi I'm looking to change my double seat is it that easy lol love your idea

[@craster_van_kippers]

Yes it is. I’m sitting on it right now.

[@craster_van_kippers]

You of course need a single base plus the seat. I’m thinking of trying to get a couple of drivers seats while I’m over here in Europe.

[@serenity_xplorer5176]

Just lookin for a seat what a price I got the base dose the air bag and seat belt just plug in to stop it coming to on the dash

[@craster_van_kippers]

I wouldn’t dare advise you in particular just in case it doesn’t work for you. What I did. Disconnect battery, disconnected the double seat 2014 van. Put replacement seat in unplugged. Reconnected battery. For me No lights on dash. Could just be lucky.

[@campervancreations7656]

Keith, are the mounts for the 2009 same as the newer van. I'm really struggling to find a drivers seat for the boxer. Wondering would the older seats fit the newer van. Really good video and an excellent solution with great information. Jamie

[@craster_van_kippers]

when you say newer van, do you mean after mid 2014? certainly 2007 2009 2014 have all been the same except the double seat from 2009 has a pretensioner. my mate has a late 2014 van which is the newer front end. ill try to get a look at his and let you know.

[@craster_van_kippers]

just searched single seat base for 2016 relay on Ebay. all i can say is that it "looks" identical to mine

[@campervancreations7656]

@@craster_van_kippers mines a later 2015 boxer so not 100% sure if they are the same! Hopefully they would be

[@craster_van_kippers]

@@campervancreations7656 hi Jamie theres a base on ebay now for £25. i swear it looks identical to mine. bide the way ill be "name dropping" you in my next update cos ive now put the Hoppvalls in the front side windows. they are great. i wish id seen them earlier. to be honest i didnt realise it was you just now.

[@campervancreations7656]

@@craster_van_kippers I really have to say, the hoppvals are a much cheaper alternative to some of the camper specific blinds. Karen(better half, much more creative than me) has a solution devised for using them for front side windows and windscreen. Have suggested your really mod video for the fridge in a few replys on my fridge video!

[@tommoody2147]

At last a Geordie with good advice on conversions. I am retiring my 20 yr old IVECO conversion. I have just bought a 2019 transit long wheelbase. I would have taken to front bench seat out but I've read somewhere that this will trigger the airbags. Do you know if this is true and is there any way around this.

[@craster_van_kippers]

Disconnect your battery. When you unplug your seat you will usually find two pairs of connectors. Get some 3.3ohm resistors and fit them where the seat was plugged in. Because I was scrapping my double, I cut off the plug and soldered the resistors to that and simply plugged it back in.

[@craster_van_kippers]

Have a look on eBay and search airbag resistors. Some guys have them made up ready but of course a lot more cost.

[@LynPoddley]

Hello All.. I have a Boxer L3H2 2009.. Van being converted to motorhome.. and have a double seat swivel I fitted months ago.. . but not keen on the fact it blocks a lot of the views form front and passenger side windows.. I can buy a driver side seat and base .. as yours.. but will the seat belt fittings/brackets on the drivers seat swap .. from left side to right.. or do I have to dismantle bench seat belt fitting ..(as you have done) Thank's.. Lyn Poddley

[@snowbananagirl]

How did you install your little side table?

[@craster_van_kippers]

sorry notifications have wrongly been turned off. if you mean th mall one between the seats, I used a bog standard table leg support. then made a small raised platform to accept the leg socket. this was easy for me to do because I had already boxed in my seat bases. hope this helps albeit late.

[@sanderaits]

Here's an idea - could you use an EU driver seat on your UK passenger side? It would have the armrest and seatbelt already on the right side.

[@craster_van_kippers]

absolutely! last year I looked in a few scrap yards and will do so again on my way home this time.chance of a little earner there.

[@susanwoods174]

Just subscribed, great vids, but........ Do u bang ur head on that shelf in the cab? It drives me and my husband mad, and we small. Ever heard of anyone removing g it? TIA. 🌷

[@craster_van_kippers]

Yes a ew have removed it but it’s never been a problem for us. During the build it was padded so you’d survive if you did hit it.

[@ImmortalAbsol]

I need the inverse xD

[@fritzfromswitzerland]

Like that you don't have insurance if something happens

[@craster_van_kippers]

It is still okay as it passes our MOT. Also the insurance company is aware of all changes to the base van. Thanks for comment.