Re-reversing the middle seats

[wandandy]

Hi all

have just bought our first Bongo....and how happy we are!!!

However I have a seeming conundrum. The middle seats are reversed (facing backwards) and on long runners. I want them back, facing forwards as at present I can't make a bed out of the seats - there's a six inch gap. I have looked at the fact sheet on reversing the seats, but am a little confused as the sheet says that when reversed the seats will be rigid and unable to slide. But ours do slide, as do the back seats. Is this because the runners have been reversed also? I'm confused because both sets of seats slide which doesn't sound possible when the seats are facing eachother, according to the sheet. The sheet suggests that in this configuration at least one of the seats should be rigid.

Can anyone help?? Thanks.....

Andy

[missfixit70]

It could be the runners have been reversed or modified, the links on this FAQ may help figure it out - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =43&t=9562

[westonwarrior]

May be worth trying to locate some un-modified rails and runners

[missfixit70]

If the runners have been modified as per Madmiles method, seat should work either way, no need to replace. Only 4 bolts to unbolt the seat & have a look/give it a go as long as you've got a lifting partner

[westonwarrior]

I bow to your better knowledge on that one

[missfixit70]

It's the point of the mod, so you can fit & adjust the seats either way.

[Griffin]

So you have 2 bench seats facing each other and both sets slide? The only 2 options are you have either modified seat runners or, the front bench (that is reversed) is sitting on reversed sliders as well.

If modified (look for nuts not rivets) then it's a 5 minute job to turn them back round to the original position (4 bolts). If not modified (and not many have been so this is most likely), you will need to turn around the sliders as well. That means removing all seats, all sliders and refitting correctly. Guess about an hours work.

I've had my seats in both positions and have now modified my runners to make it easier to do especially when out and about.

Hope that makes sense, good luck.

[wandandy]

Yes, I have two benches facing eachother and both slide. Thanks for the advice...I will check the runners and bolts/ rivets situation and post back. Many, many thanks everyone. Andy

[twidds]

I reversed my runners to have the forward seats facing backwards moveable. Just reversing them (turning them around) meant they could not be slid/moved. So could not be converted to a bed or moved. So one sunny afternoon i spent reversing the runners.

Just hope if i ever sell the bongo i'm not requested to turn them back. Those seat alone weigh a ton....forget the 22 or so bolts holding the runners down.

Just a thought if you have just purchased your bongo. There are little levers at the base of two of the legs of the seats these need to be lifted to allow the seat to move further to fill the six inch gap. THEN I tend to use the headrest height adjuster ratchet to stop the small wabble.

[wandandy]

Guys,thanks for your help. I checked the middle seats they use bolts to attach to runners, so am pressuming from your advice that the long rail modification has been undertaken. I'll switch the middle seats back round at the weekend when I have a spare pair of hands. Thanks again....Andy.

[missfixit70]

They are all attached to the runners by bolts, the modification is to the runners themselves ( not the method of fixing to the runners) if you looked on the FAQ link I posted earlier here's the thread on modifying the runners so you can see if they have been or not - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 47&t=29499

[wandandy]

Thanks for all your advice. I have now switched the middle seat back to a fowrad facing position and it has locked, so looks like the long runners have reversed. Will look at re-reversing these maybe next weekend. Any idea how long a job this is?

Also I somehow failed to notice that although there are inertia seat belts on the middle seats the receiving buckles are missing. (What are those things called?). Anyone suggest how I find a breakers for a pair? I'm pressuming that these things aren't universal to all vehicles.

Andy

[Diplomat]

As the seats are now locked , you can deduce that the runners have not been modified to work properly in either configuration.

There is no point in reversing the rails as you will end up in the same predicament. You will still end up having to reverse one set of runners, removing both to do so unless you raise the rails in which case you might get away with only changing one set. It rather depends on which method involves the most work!

The seat belt receptacles may be tidied up somewhere under the seat as they are not obligatory when facing to the rear. If they aren't there it will be better to leave the seat reversed and stay legal while you are sourcing new ones.


Frank