Folding rear seats

[johnnybongo]

I've recently "upgraded" to a newer model bongo (2000) which has the sliding rear seats. We are increasingly finding that the older, folding rear seats were one of the main features we liked in our old one. We cant get half as much stuff in now. Can I easily convert this one to a folding rear seat, and did they stop doing them after a certain year? Seems a backward step design-wise to me.

[wonkanoby]

no as the fixings will not be there that hold it

[scanner]

As you can perhaps imagine, this has been asked many, many times before and the general opinion appears to be No.

Unless you are prepared to do a lot of work welding in the mounting points and cutting holes in the trim panels etc.

PS Anything is possible, it all depends on how much you are prepared to pay.

[Diplomat]

How many people do you carry, Johnny? More than five, ever?

It may pay you to take out the one piece bench completely. That will free up even more space overall and reduce weight much more than merely flipping up the older type seats while still lugging them around.

I only use the 2/3 split bench, either in the middle or the back or, very rarely, in table mode and hard up against the engine to make a long rear load space, thanks to the full length rails. I can opt for load lugging in the centre of the vehicle or at the back depending on circumstances. I don't miss the fold up seats I had on my previous vehicle, hardly ever lifted them, whereas some can't live without them. Where they are nice is with a corner kitchen unit replacing one of them, but I prioritise cargo and sleeping space over cooking. My philosophy is to try and live with how the vehicle comes and only make simple reversible mods. That leaves it versatile.

On balance, you should find having full length rails a bonus, especially if you do away with some of the minor obstructions at the rear that slow down removal of the runners should you need to take them out or reverse them.

Best of all, I have secured a reduction on my insurance by declaring it as modified to five seats.


Frank

[Northern Bongolow]

i can understand the appeal of these.
if you really feel you need them, buy all the bits from a scrapper, including the side panels(the cloth trim may need swapping over) and the rear carpet. job done.
it doesnt seem to be an age thing, just an option thing, so a careful search may be an option.

if you go the scrapper route, i may know where all the bits may be had.

[johnnybongo]

Thanks for your input guys. Is it easy to take my back seat in and out , and back in again when needed, or is it too fiddley?

[Simon Jones]

Just 4 bolts to undo and then you can lift it out. Quite heavy, so easier with a second pair of hands.

[Diplomat]

Just 4 bolts to undo and then you can lift it out. Quite heavy, so easier with a second pair of hands.

I'll vouch for the weight!

Mine lives indoors now as an extra settee. I'd stop short of calling it a sofa, it's a bit too firm for that.

If you've got kids they could sit on it and pretend to be on Top Gear.

Probably worth leaving the runners in the rails unless you want to push the middle one to the very back. With them still in place but with the optional back stop removed the remainig seat will fold flat for sleeping almost up to the tailgate with only a small gap.

I prefer the 2/3 split to the one piece as I store items in plastic crates at the back and they can be acessed more easily from in the van with only part of the seat lifted. Also you get a choice of table to chair ratios.

My comments are based on not usually having more than two people on board, though. So for four adults, a fiteen seater minibus would make the basis of a good camper!


Frank