removing the back of split seats?

[Dr Fingers]

Leaning towards a rear conversion, but need to retain belted rear seats. As I have the old 'splitty' rear seats, the thought occurs, could I take the backs off? That way they could still fold upwards, clearing the transverse kitchen unit, but could also seat passengers, when down, using the original 3 point rear set belts. Passengers could have temporary foam backrests in lieu of the original backs.

When folded down, they could form a bed with the (reversed) midseats. Any one done this, or am I missing something?

Derek

[Bob]

I wouldn't think that mod would be road legal, and your insurers would need to know.

[Dr Fingers]

Why not legal? Seat bases would be original, with their factory 'clamps' to the floor, as would the three point belts.the backs would be replaced by 'alternative' padding fixed to the (fixed) kitchen unit..

Might fly it past the Admiral, in any case.

Derek

[Bob]

Good idea, see what they say.

[Simon Jones]

How well would the rear conversion be fixed in place? Just thinking in the event of a rear end shunt, a bit of foam fixed to part of conversion would not give protection to anyone sat on the seat if the conversion slid forward.

[Northern Bongolow]

someone who shall remain nameless ran into the back of the car in front, their rear conversion complete with gas bottle locker didnt stop but the bongo did.

[Bob]

Its in the back of my head that seats are included in C&U Regs.

[Alkers]

Look at putting the kitchen on the back of the middle row of seats as per my thread...

[Dr Fingers]

How well would the rear conversion be fixed in place? Just thinking in the event of a rear end shunt, a bit of foam fixed to part of conversion would not give protection to anyone sat on the seat if the conversion slid forward.

Good question. I will ask the conversion people. They are well-known and reputable. However, the rear seats will still be 'anchored' by the original factory clamps, with the kitchen unit butting up against them. I can't imagine that the kitchen unit could do anything other than crumple in that scenario.


Derek