Double front seats back bar spec and attachments??

[phonesontheblink]

Hi all

Ive just bought my first t25 for conversion.

I met one of your members at a show a few weeks ago and she recommended this site for any advice, so here goes.

The first thing I've had to do is install a double bench seat at the front to accommodate my girlfriend and baby son. The van doesn't have a bulkhead and from previous posts on this site i know that a bar has to be installed to attach the seats to. So the first question is does anyone know what spec the bar should be or a suitable alternative size and what it should be made of.

I was thinking stainless steel square tube 40mm x 40mm x 2mm thick? Or perhaps somebody has one they don't need anymore (bit of a longshot i know)

The second question is just what type screws are best to attach the brackets to the chaste with.

Thanks in advance

[silverbullet]

The bulkhead top bar (that was an integral part of the bulkhead) measures 30 x 40 x 3mm.

You wont find this size anywhere, it was a VW special and also used for syncro underbody engine protection.

Stainless steel tube is completely inappropriate for safety applications, use CDS tube but it only comes in round, not square afaik.

The thing is, the middle seat only has a lap belt because there is nothing strong enough to retain a 3-point belt... and the double front seat is a pretty flimsy piece of 1970's commercial design.

[Smosh]

Silverbullet, we were considering similar. Is there any commonly used, sensible alternatives?

[silverbullet]

I was looking into the possibility of a reinforcing frame for the +2 seat complete with an inertia reel mounting, but the safety implications were enough to put me off.

[silverbullet]

...which is probably why no-one makes such a thing.

[phonesontheblink]

Thanks for the advice

Your right, no square cds to be found. Would a round one be suitable then?

[silverbullet]

I would advise very strongly against a single horizontal tube between the B posts, it just wont be strong enough for what I think you are suggesting.

I would advise that you buy a chauffer's cap

[what2do]

I've fabricated a horizontal tube to retain the upper edge of the double seat. Plenty strong enough as it's only required to prevent the seat from folding downwards in a 'frontal' collision and vice-versa in a rear impact.

[Smosh]

The bit that confuses me is the purpose of the horizontal bulkhead bar; Aren't most front seats anchored to the floor? Couldn't a bench be the same, the added brace would just decrease the chance of the seat flattening in an accident?

[what2do]

The bench fits into the runners as used by the passenger seat, the middle portion is just supported by it's own frame strength (which isn't much!!)

But yes, you are correct and in fact not confused, the bar just prevents it 'folding' in on itself.

[Smosh]

Could a double seat not be altered/ fabricated to provide support in the same way a normal seat works?

Also... what happens to the handbrake?

[what2do]

There's a gap between the double and the driver's seat so access to the handbrake isn't a problem. The frame on the double seat is naff and would need to be totally re fabricated to ensure it could be freestanding. I wouldn't feel comfy with my kids sat on it to be honest nit when it only took an hour or so to make the horizontal bar for the backrest.

[Smosh]

May have to stick to putting the little one in the back on the rnr bed in a chair that takes a lap belt or better still the wife! Hehe!

[phonesontheblink]

I thought about putting a metal strip on either side of the seat. One end attached from the top of the back of the seat and srcewed in where the bracket would usually be and the other end somehow attached at the front of the bottom part of the seat. So the metal strip would be at a diagonal (if all that makes any sense).
But have decided to go with the bar.

what2d, what size was the bar you used and what material?

[what2do]

The problem with adding tin into the cabin area is that it MAY act like a guillotine in an accident - no thanks. I've used what I had to hand, about 20mm square box if I remember correctly. I didn't fancy welding the ends to the cab pillars so have used plates with bolts and nutserts. Hope that helps.