Removing middle bench seat to create space - a good idea?!

[Treetalk]

Hi All,

I want to remove the middle bench, so I have alot more space to create my own "mini conversion" i.e. storage space for table, temporary bed . I want to keep the back seats, just for comfortable seating really.

So, am I right in thinking that what I need to do to is this either A or B:-

A.
1. Remove the back seat bench first?
2. Then remove the middle bench seat?
3. Then put back the back seat bench in original place?

OR B. can I just take out the middle bench seat without touching the back seat?

I'm not sure which, but also if anyone can tell me that there is a fatal flaw in plan generally, pleaaaaaaase let me know.

[Bob]

You can just remove the middle seat.

Pull off the plastic covers on the four 'legs', remove the bolts, and 'Hey Presto'.

This will leave the runners in place, but they will slide freely, and if they're not in the way I'd leave them in situ.

If you want to remove them it will mean removing the back seat and the rails so you can slide them off.

Bear in mind the middle seat is b#%%>¥ heavy so best to have a lovely (muscular) assistant on standby.

[Diplomat]

If your rear seat is a bench on full length rails, you will be better off removing that as it is lighter to lift.

The middle bench can then be positioned at the back for sleeping, further forward if you want to talk with passengers while driving or anywhere in between.

Most of all, the middle seat is far more versatile being split and with table top backs. If you have things stored behind it or under the lowered backs, you need only release the appropriate back to get at them.

My former rear bench lives in the house as a novelty sofa! Gets me cheaper insurance as well, without 8 potential whiplash claims per accident.

Frank

[Treetalk]

Thank you both, very helpful.

At the moment, I have got someone to undo the bolts for the middle bench, though it does leave some bits sticking up. I will try and remove it from the bongo when I have some further help!

[Diplomat]

Ah!

I forgot to mention another advantage of taking out the rear seat instead of the middle one is that 'the bits left sticking up are out of the way at he back and make a convenient set of stoppers to set the folded down remaining seat in bests place for folding flat.

Of course, if you decide to keep the one piece rear seat instead of the 2/3 split bench, you can move it forward onto the freed up set of runners.

I would not advise removing the runners from the track unless you really have to. Leave the set up versatile. Removing and replacing the runners is a greasy and time consuming job.

Minimally modified and easily restorable Bongos stay versatile!

Frank

[mikeonb4c]

Minimally modified and easily restorable Bongos stay versatile!

That, and the AFT, are to me the Bongo's USP

[BromGo]

You can just remove the middle seat.

Pull off the plastic covers on the four 'legs', remove the bolts, and 'Hey Presto'.

This will leave the runners in place, but they will slide freely, and if they're not in the way I'd leave them in situ.

If you want to remove them it will mean removing the back seat and the rails so you can slide them off.

Bear in mind the middle seat is b#%%>¥ heavy so best to have a lovely (muscular) assistant on standby.

I'm about to remove a row of seats - middle will be easiest since only the rear 2:1 split seat has isofix which we need.

Do you know whether we can still make a 'bed' with rear row and front seats when the middle runners are in place, albeit sliding freely as you put it.

i.e. do the middle runners interfere at all in terms of how close the rear row needs to be to the front seats?

[BromGo]

For anyone wondering the same thing ^ the answer is yes the middle runners do stop the rear row moving close enough to front seats to make a bed.

And so far as I can tell, I’d need to swap and rotate the each runner by 180^o to simply put the rear row of seats on the middle runners. (Because my middle row was rearward facing.)

[Doone]

Or stuff the gap with a pillow. Advice on reversing the rails is on this link: https://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/vie ... php?t=9562