Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:29:40 -0400
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: back seat, '91 camper
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no
thanks Ben. Sounds like more than might be reasonable. We hope to use
the camper with our daughter, son-in-law, and new grandson. Obviously,
without these safety features (plus a child seat tether), the rear seat
is really just a waste. We want to add a jump seat, which is realistic,
but maybe the rear seat will just have to stay as is and when we go with
all three of them, we have to take another vehicle. Don't like that.
David McNeely
On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 4:52 PM, BenT Syncro wrote:
> Dave,
>
> Anything is possible. However, practical and economical reasons will
> dictate the feasibility of any contemplated modification.
>
> The Westy bench bolts primarily to the floor. Whilst the typical
> Weekender bench as found in Non-Westies (not to be confused with Westy
> Weekender bemches) bolt to the side walls. The action is also
> completely different. Besides that, the GL campers have that side
> cabinet and galley which will only permit a narrower bed. In a
> nutshell, the bench will not fit w/o major interior remodelling.
>
> If you insist on the wider non-Westy bench, you can do so by removing
> the cabinetry and galley. Then replace the original galley from one
> found in the Base Camper (the kind with just a sink and cooler- no
> fridge or stove). Dan Fleming has shown that the Westy can be
> installed in that cabinet. Then he added burners by drilling through
> the top of this same cabinet. Basically, you end up with a galley a
> foot or so shorter than the full-Westy. Guess what? The non-Westy
> bed/bench will clear this new galley.
>
> As for shoulder belts, they can be retrofitted easily. Buy new or
> used. I will post one of these for sale on Ebay soon.
>
> As far as headrests are concerned, the Carats and Wolfsburg Editions
> came with post clips that them easier to pop-out without tools. The
> headrest sockets are buried inside the upholstery so should not
> interfere with your comfort level once the headrests themselves are
> stowed away elsewhere.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> BenT
> Sent from my mobile device
>
> On Oct 25, 2009, at 1:47 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>
>> Can a rear seat with headrests be had for a '91 Vanagon GL Camper?
>> Can
>> it be installed so as to retain the bed function of the seat?
>> Perhaps
>> that means with the headrests removed so as to fold the seat to
>> serve as
>> a mattress as it does without head rests. I would expect that if it
>> is
>> possible, the receptacles for the headrests might interfere with the
>> comfort of the mattress. Obviously, not having them is a safety
>> flaw.
>> Also, can three-point seat belts be installed? Thanks David McNeely
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