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Fitting different front seats

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Fitting different front seats

Postby Winbro77 » Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:01 am

Evening all,

Has anyone fitted different front seats?

I'm converting a mk8 L3H2 into a camper and would like to fit a single passenger seat so both fron seats swivel and you can access the rear from the front.

I've spotted some kuga st leather seats with red stitching(matches the van) for a decent price and thought it might be worth changing them if it's just a case of making a bracket?

Single passenger seats for the transit are huge money!

Thanks
Greg
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby KevofCov » Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:14 pm

Hi Greg
I may need to do this in the future so am also keen to know. I suspect the answer based on threads elsewhere is to use a single seat base (passenger side) from either Mk 7 or 8 as they are very simular. Swivel plates are then available and this means you can bolt any seats in place. I believe somebody used Ford Galaxy seats (which include a 180 degrees swivel capability from the factory) on standard transit Mk7 single set bases but don’t quote me. What I cant advise is any seat belts issues. What we really need somebody who has already done this....
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Transit460Camper » Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:24 am

Hi Greg.

This is our first post on here!
We have just purchased a 2017 mk8 17 seater transit which we will be converting into a campervan during the summer.
We actually want to do the opposite and change our single passenger set into a bench seat so our son can ride up front with us.
This will also leave more scope and space in the back.
Wondering if you sorted your issue?

John and Judith.
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Winbro77 » Wed Mar 17, 2021 2:57 pm

Transit460Camper wrote:Hi Greg.

This is our first post on here!
We have just purchased a 2017 mk8 17 seater transit which we will be converting into a campervan during the summer.
We actually want to do the opposite and change our single passenger set into a bench seat so our son can ride up front with us.
This will also leave more scope and space in the back.
Wondering if you sorted your issue?

John and Judith.


Hi John and Judith,

Where about in the country are you? We could come to an agreement on trade with my double and your single?

Thanks
Greg
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby workbox » Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:42 pm

Winbro77 wrote:Evening all,

Has anyone fitted different front seats?

I'm converting a mk8 L3H2 into a camper and would like to fit a single passenger seat so both fron seats swivel and you can access the rear from the front.

I've spotted some kuga st leather seats with red stitching(matches the van) for a decent price and thought it might be worth changing them if it's just a case of making a bracket?

Single passenger seats for the transit are huge money!

Thanks
Greg


For driver swivel seat you will have to lower hand break handle. Few hours job and req drilling I believe.
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby dumper » Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:06 pm

You need to drill two holes and make a spacer up as one comes in the middle of a big hole in the seat box I think I had to re route a wire that went in the hole .The mk8 is easy to do then a mk6 or 7 as you don’t need to make up spacers for the bottom two holes on the handbrake lever as the sides of the seatbox on the mk8 is square on the side .
MK 8 L4 H3 Motorsport campervan
Past camper vans
1974 mk1 v4 with 2.0 pinto fitted
1986 mk3 2.5 di swb
1990 190 lwb 2.5 di
1998 100 lwb 2.5 di
2006 350 jumbo 135 tdci
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Winbro77 » Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:36 am

Yes I had read something about the hand break being lowered. Shouldn't be too difficult, I'll do a bit more reading before I buy the swivels.


The only other thing am not sure about is air bags. I know the double seat doesn't have air bags. But does the drivers seat? If so, will a different seat from another Ford (eg the kuga ones I was looking at) have the same airbag plug etc?

Thanks
Greg
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby dumper » Thu Mar 18, 2021 3:14 pm

When you drop the handbrake have a look underneath make sure the cable is not rubbing on something my mk6 and mk8 have been ok mind has a plug under the seat but useing the standard seat it’s still connected the single passenger seat has no plug under it as for compatibility of other Ford seats I don’t know m8. As for the handbrake cowling because I fitted a complete new floor I extended it in between the seats so was able to cut the lower part down and screw it to the new floor so the top part just clips on and looks factory.
Just remembered the handbrake had captive studs in it and I removed them and used nuts and bolts.
MK 8 L4 H3 Motorsport campervan
Past camper vans
1974 mk1 v4 with 2.0 pinto fitted
1986 mk3 2.5 di swb
1990 190 lwb 2.5 di
1998 100 lwb 2.5 di
2006 350 jumbo 135 tdci
dumper
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Winbro77 » Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:36 pm

May be picking up a set of half leather kuga seats in the near future for a decent price.

Can anyone confirm if the drivers side single seat base is the same as the passengers? And will single seat bases from a custom or mk7 be the same too?

Thanks
Greg
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Winbro77 » Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:46 pm

Came across my first problem already.

The seat belt for the transit is mounted to the side of the seat. The kuga seats I have don't have this, and must mount to the B pillar or floor in the kuga.

Anyone overcame this issue?
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby dumper » Thu Apr 08, 2021 8:55 pm

I was thinking at maybe moving the seat belt lower mounting bolt from the seat to the seat box by drilling the seatbox and using two heavy duty flat washers so I didn’t have to rap the seatbelt round the back of the seats when turning them but never got round to it you may be able to do that.
MK 8 L4 H3 Motorsport campervan
Past camper vans
1974 mk1 v4 with 2.0 pinto fitted
1986 mk3 2.5 di swb
1990 190 lwb 2.5 di
1998 100 lwb 2.5 di
2006 350 jumbo 135 tdci
dumper
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Winbro77 » Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:10 pm

dumper wrote:I was thinking at maybe moving the seat belt lower mounting bolt from the seat to the seat box by drilling the seatbox and using two heavy duty flat washers so I didn’t have to rap the seatbelt round the back of the seats when turning them but never got round to it you may be able to do that.


Thanks dumper. I had thought about that but the box is pretty thin. I could out a large plate with capsulated bolt on back I suppose.

I did think about relocating it to the floor? Finding a structural part and welding a nut underneath.
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby dumper » Fri Apr 09, 2021 12:09 am

Or a heavy pice of angle iron off the seatbox mounting bolt .but when you think about it the seatbox is thicker steel then the floor or the b pillar and when a seatbelt is mounted to them it’s only a thin washer spot welded underneath with a captive nut on it .
MK 8 L4 H3 Motorsport campervan
Past camper vans
1974 mk1 v4 with 2.0 pinto fitted
1986 mk3 2.5 di swb
1990 190 lwb 2.5 di
1998 100 lwb 2.5 di
2006 350 jumbo 135 tdci
dumper
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Posts: 5438
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:56 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Winbro77 » Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:32 am

Just to confirm I have managed to fit a Kuga seat in the front of my mk8. Seat belt anchor has been relocated to 1 of the seat base anchor points in the floor (M12 bolt instead of the standard M10 so even stronger). I fitted a swivel so has to redrill 4 holes in that. A lot more comfortable to drive and actually has support unlike the transit seat.

Image
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Re: Fitting different front seats

Postby Nickmcd » Wed Apr 28, 2021 8:26 pm

Ford galaxy seats will fit. Some are swivel seats. They turn about 90deg so you need to remove the stop to allow them to turn 360 degrees. Currently converting a L3H3, bought a 2nd hand drivers seat base, fits where the double came out from. Bought 4 pieces of 8mm thick 100mm wide steel bars cut to length of the seat base, fitted to seat bases using original seat bolts and bolted the galaxy seats to the bars. No issues, no need to lower the handbrake, just release when turning the seat then re-apply.
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