Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 21:17:29 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject: Re: Vanagon seats over the years
In-Reply-To: <014901ceb414$12d2e600$3878b200$@gmail.com>
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85 isn't the first year of armrests.
They appear onan 82 GL diesel vanagonfor sure.
seat bottoms vary in thickness by if the seat is built to be on top of a
swivel or not- those are thinner bottoms.
the back-to-front distance varies by how deluxe the van isand now later
of a model it is.
an 85 Wolfsburg Weekender for example..has rather large deluxe seats
...I've measuared as much as 2 inches difference inback-to-front
cushionlength ....from early more stipped down models to later deluxe
models.
86 and up the seats are different yet ...adjustable armrests that are
not that easy to get off, to tighten loose screws on or grease the main
pivot.
quite a lot of variations in front seats over the years, models, and
trim levels.
not to mentiona 3-across front seat set up ..
which is a single driver's seat, a normal one.
and a two person bench seat that fits on the standard right side front
seat tracks.
I had an 84 Nine passenger van like that....in black vynyl uphostery. .
The only US model Nine Passenger vangaon I'veeverseen or even heard of.
and I know of a stock 86 or 87 Double Cab Syncro ( not a USmodel ) with
front seats like that.
Both of these vans are non-walk through in the front- solid wall there
instead, behind the front seats ....comes up to close to the top of the
front seat backs, like an old split window Bus.
( that particular non-walk through Double Cab Syncro ..
with 27 X 8.50 R 14 LT tires ...
is the absolute quietest and nicest driving, nicest tracking and
steering Vanagon I have ever driven ...
having the engine not in the same box you're sitting in really helps
with quietness.
and for 14's ....those tires work extra well in my experience. )
Scott
On 9/17/2013 7:09 PM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
> I've heard that the late model Vanagon seats have a "longer" seat, the
> length of the seat base from front to back. Is this true? If so, what is
> the difference and what years?
>
>
>
> My first Westy, an '84, had brutally uncomfortable seats (same as the '70's
> vans but with cloth upholstery) which I replaced with seats from an '85, the
> first year with arm rests. And it was a more comfortable seat design as
> well.
>
>
>
> But, the seat is pretty short and a longer one would give more leg support.
>
>
>
>
> Also, I've seen a few "modern" power seats installed in Vanagons from Fords
> and other cars. Anyone done that? Being able to tilt the seat base would
> be nice.
>
>
>
> I know, I'm dreaming.
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
> '85 Westy
>
> Spoiled by the comfort of modern cars
>
