HELP: How do I remove drivers seat in side camper conversion

[mikeonb4c]

Had mad as cheese bongo man (Rob) over on Sunday to show him how to change filters, inspect brake pads etc. All jobs done fine in the limited time we had except the fuel filter, which we couldn't get good access to as the side fitted kitchen unit prevented the engine cover from being opened sufficiently. We needed to remove the seat but weren't sure of the best / simplest way to do it (fuel filter is only one year old so I advised him to leve it for now while I got on BF and asked for advice).

So.....anyone able to advise on the simplest way to remove the drivers seat? I'd be grateful (or Rob would be!) for any advice and thanks.

Mike

[dandywarhol]

Push the seat fully forward, theres 2 14mm head bolts securing the seat to the floor and 1 14mm securing the seatbelt anchor into the engine cover. Push the seat fully back and theres 2 bolts at right angles to th erear ones. disconnect the seatbelt warning light cable anf lift the seat out - less than 5 mins sorts it.

http://www.lushprojects.com/bongoparts/ ... R18601.gif

[madmile]

You can normally get good enough access for a filter change by sliding the seat back and folding the backrest foward. Lift up so the handle is past the steering wheel, then lift handle and slide seat as far foward as it will go. You can then usually tip it back far enough to get access for a filter change.

[mikeonb4c]

You can normally get good enough access for a filter change by sliding the seat back and folding the backrest foward. Lift up so the handle is past the steering wheel, then lift handle and slide seat as far foward as it will go. You can then usually tip it back far enough to get access for a filter change.

Thanks Ed. I reckon that's about right and is what we found on Sunday, but it's not good enough access for a bloke with a bad back like me to work. I need good clear access and somewhere to place an arm for support. So I'll follow Dandy's excellent advice (for which, thanks), even though it's a nuisance having to remove the seat at all (and Rob will have to lift it out - my back again ). Engine bay access is an issue with mid conversions I guess. Makes you wonder if there is a design workaround (like a section of the kitchen unit can easily be unclipped and moved out the way maybe)

[madmile]

You can normally get good enough access for a filter change by sliding the seat back and folding the backrest foward. Lift up so the handle is past the steering wheel, then lift handle and slide seat as far foward as it will go. You can then usually tip it back far enough to get access for a filter change.

Thanks Ed. I reckon that's about right and is what we found on Sunday, but it's not good enough access for a bloke with a bad back like me to work. I need good clear access and somewhere to place an arm for support. So I'll follow Dandy's excellent advice (for which, thanks), even though it's a nuisance having to remove the seat at all (and Rob will have to lift it out - my back again ). Engine bay access is an issue with mid conversions I guess. Makes you wonder if there is a design workaround (like a section of the kitchen unit can easily be unclipped and moved out the way maybe)

On the basis that its usually the fridge, cooker and sink that are mostly at that end it will have to be a well engineered 'clip' .
Realistically, any conversion on a bongo is going to involve a compromise somewhere, and this is one.
Whenever I do a full side conversion on a freshly imported bongo, I alway ask the dealer to make sure the fuel guage works properly as replacing the sender at this stage is easy, but a month down the road its going to be a tank out job .
Of course you can do the filter from underneath, but only really if you have ramps.

[mikeonb4c]

Of course you can do the filter from underneath, but only really if you have ramps.

We wondered about that, and I do have ramps, but it looked as though we'd have to remove the engine bottom cover and I didn't fancy that (or a face full of diesel knowing me!)

[brorabongo]

The Fuel filter is not hidden behind the engine cover, and I've managed ( just) to replace it from underneath without ramps.

[mikeonb4c]

The Fuel filter is not hidden behind the engine cover, and I've managed ( just) to replace it from underneath without ramps.

Excellent brora and thanks. Might try that then in preference to removing the seat. I'm OK doing work that doesn't involve bending over - no rude comments please

[Simon Jones]

I did mine from underneath & without ramps, although I did have the front wheels on slight slope to the garage which gave a few inches more clearance underneath. If you fit a pipe to the stubby tube on the bottom of the filter & then gently loosen the filter, the excess diesel should flow out into a suitable container. I think its easier from below 'cos you don't have the problem of working out which way to turn it as you do when doing it 'backwards' from the top

[mikeonb4c]

I did mine from underneath & without ramps, although I did have the front wheels on slight slope to the garage which gave a few inches more clearance underneath. If you fit a pipe to the stubby tube on the bottom of the filter & then gently loosen the filter, the excess diesel should flow out into a suitable container. I think its easier from below 'cos you don't have the problem of working out which way to turn it as you do when doing it 'backwards' from the top

Good advice and thanks Simon

[mad as cheese bongo man]

cheers all, thanks for the advice.
mike - cheers for asking the question and showing me how to service my bongo. like anything else, once you now how, its fairly easy.

take it easy

Rob