Can SPLIT rear seats fit into a face-lift Bongo?

[the general]

We had an old P-reg Bongo a few years back, and loved the practicality of being able to split/flip up the rear seats towards the windows - it made SO much more space in the back.

We have recently upgraded to a S-reg facelift model, and slightly disappointed to have a sliding bench seat in the very back row - not half as useful for getting stuff in the boot!

What I'm wondering is if it's possible/easy to whip some split seats out of an old Bongo and put them into the new one?
From what I remember the old seats were static in terms of forward/backward movement, but simply unclipped and lifted up towards the windows.

Obviously I appreciate there'll need to be some welding for the floor brackets, but wasn't even sure if they would fit in the first place?
(i.e. the old ones were attached to the 'walls' with a hinge, whereas the new ones are on tracks in the floor....)
any ideas anyone? do the new Bongo's still have fixing points 'hidden' behind the wall panels?

p.s. I am totally not mechanically minded, so if this were to go ahead I'd be getting someone who knows a bit more to actually do the work!

cheers
Neil.

[westonwarrior]

anything is possible but its realy not viable as new supports would need to be fitted

[the general]

anything is possible but its realy not viable as new supports would need to be fitted

thought that might be the case....
cheers anyway!
Neil.

[dunslair]

A few of the new ones (even up to 2003) have split rear seats as an optional extra from new. Have a look on the for sale section on BF under trade. I think budget bongos may have one such van at the moment, may be worth considering a trade in / up?

[the general]

A few of the new ones (even up to 2003) have split rear seats as an optional extra from new. Have a look on the for sale section on BF under trade. I think budget bongos may have one such van at the moment, may be worth considering a trade in / up?

cheers - wasn't aware of that - thanks.

Another thought I had was to get a second set of FRONT row seats (i.e. 60/30 splitting) and slide them into place where the rear bench seat is?

seems to easy to be true.....

[carlioll]

Yes you can easily put middle row seats in the back but what are you gonna gain? The only part of the seat which splits is the back and not the base so you wont be freeing up floor space as with the seperate fold away rear seats.

[the general]

Yes you can easily put middle row seats in the back but what are you gonna gain? The only part of the seat which splits is the back and not the base so you wont be freeing up floor space as with the seperate fold away rear seats.

yeah, I know, but it'd still be a bit more practical (for us, anyway!)
We've got 3 (small) children and 2 grandparents to fit into the van, so although there are enough 'seats', it's not always so easy getting in and out of them!
We used to find with the old split rear seats that you could get in through the boot with one seat 'up' and then drop it into place before sitting down - much easier for the old folk

cheers anyway.
neil.

[Diplomat]

Yes you can easily put middle row seats in the back but what are you gonna gain? The only part of the seat which splits is the back and not the base so you wont be freeing up floor space as with the seperate fold away rear seats.

yeah, I know, but it'd still be a bit more practical (for us, anyway!)
We've got 3 (small) children and 2 grandparents to fit into the van, so although there are enough 'seats', it's not always so easy getting in and out of them!
We used to find with the old split rear seats that you could get in through the boot with one seat 'up' and then drop it into place before sitting down - much easier for the old folk

cheers anyway.
neil.

I find the middle type seats more versatile.

I have taken out the one piece bench and slid the midlle row to the very back. Advantages are that you can have seat/table combinations, easier access to stuff stored behind the seats and if the seats form part of a bed the pillow agle can be individually selected for personal taste.

Alternatively, someone can sleep using the wider section and an appropriate bed board whilst a single seat remains available alongside. Ideal for doctors visiting the sick whilst on campsites.


Frank