Front swivel bench seat...non standard
Discussion
Evening all, seeking some assistance please
We are converting a 2000 Renault Master LT35 Ambulance to a campervan/le mans party bus and wish to convert the single front passenger seat to a front passenger bench that swivels. It seems that there is not a suitable specific swivel base leading us to question if it is possible and clearly do not wish to splash out on say a Merc Sprinter seat or T4 unless we have some confidence it is achievable.
So the question is, has anyone fitted a non standard swivel seat to a Renault Master or other van and what did you need to watch for/adapt to make it work?
Many thanks
Richard
We are converting a 2000 Renault Master LT35 Ambulance to a campervan/le mans party bus and wish to convert the single front passenger seat to a front passenger bench that swivels. It seems that there is not a suitable specific swivel base leading us to question if it is possible and clearly do not wish to splash out on say a Merc Sprinter seat or T4 unless we have some confidence it is achievable.
So the question is, has anyone fitted a non standard swivel seat to a Renault Master or other van and what did you need to watch for/adapt to make it work?
Many thanks
Richard
Not fitted one to your vehicle, but Caktanks do loads of bits for motorhomes and campers and I bought two swivel bases that I used on my Swift Lifestyle. All works perfectly. Not cheap but excellent quality and a doddle to fit, though be aware the seat's damn heavy so better with two to lift it in and out.
http://www.caktanks.co.uk/
http://www.caktanks.co.uk/
Indeed, Caktanks have the swivel bases, and that's probably the cheapest/easiest option. Bear in mind that the swivel mechanism will raise the seat height slightly. Not a problem if you're long in the leg.
You mention swiveling the bench seat. Do you mean the twin-passenger seat? Most campervans have 2 single seats, with capability to swivel. The Caktanks bases are likely intended for those. To keep LHD/RHD commonality of parts, a single seat can usually be fitted on the passenger side, and be made to swivel. I'd be very surprised if a wide bench seat could be made to swivel effectively without fouling on dashboard, etc.
Other options for swivelling single seats : Nissan Prairie and higher-spec Ford Galaxy (Ghia?) had swivelling seats as standard. If you're handy, these can be shed-engineered to work.
I Frankensteined nice Vectra seats onto a swivel chopped from the base of Nissan Prairie seats, fitted to the base seat box of my y2000 Citroen Relay camper.
For our current 2012 Renault Master camper, I modified Ford Galaxy seats. Bit of info towards the bottom of this page to maybe give you some ideas.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/168690/rena...
You mention swiveling the bench seat. Do you mean the twin-passenger seat? Most campervans have 2 single seats, with capability to swivel. The Caktanks bases are likely intended for those. To keep LHD/RHD commonality of parts, a single seat can usually be fitted on the passenger side, and be made to swivel. I'd be very surprised if a wide bench seat could be made to swivel effectively without fouling on dashboard, etc.
Other options for swivelling single seats : Nissan Prairie and higher-spec Ford Galaxy (Ghia?) had swivelling seats as standard. If you're handy, these can be shed-engineered to work.
I Frankensteined nice Vectra seats onto a swivel chopped from the base of Nissan Prairie seats, fitted to the base seat box of my y2000 Citroen Relay camper.
For our current 2012 Renault Master camper, I modified Ford Galaxy seats. Bit of info towards the bottom of this page to maybe give you some ideas.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/168690/rena...
Edited by Darryl247W on Wednesday 28th December 19:24
Darryl247W said:
Indeed, Caktanks have the swivel bases, and that's probably the cheapest/easiest option. Bear in mind that the swivel mechanism will raise the seat height slightly. Not a problem if you're long in the leg.
You mention swiveling the bench seat. Do you mean the twin-passenger seat? Most campervans have 2 single seats, with capability to swivel. The Caktanks bases are likely intended for those. To keep LHD/RHD commonality of parts, a single seat can usually be fitted on the passenger side, and be made to swivel. I'd be very surprised if a wide bench seat could be made to swivel effectively without fouling on dashboard, etc.
Other options for swivelling single seats : Nissan Prairie and higher-spec Ford Galaxy (hGhia?) had swivelling seats as standard. If you're handy, these can be shed-engineered to work.
I Frankensteined Nice Vectra seats onto a swivel chopped from the base of Nissan Prairie seats, fitted to the base seat box of my y2000 Citroen Relay camper.
For our current 2012 Renault Master camper, I modified Ford Galaxy seats. Bit of info towards the botttom of this page to maybe give you some ideas.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/168690/rena...
swivel bench seat might be an issue , swivel singles are fairly standard in motorhomes. You mention swiveling the bench seat. Do you mean the twin-passenger seat? Most campervans have 2 single seats, with capability to swivel. The Caktanks bases are likely intended for those. To keep LHD/RHD commonality of parts, a single seat can usually be fitted on the passenger side, and be made to swivel. I'd be very surprised if a wide bench seat could be made to swivel effectively without fouling on dashboard, etc.
Other options for swivelling single seats : Nissan Prairie and higher-spec Ford Galaxy (hGhia?) had swivelling seats as standard. If you're handy, these can be shed-engineered to work.
I Frankensteined Nice Vectra seats onto a swivel chopped from the base of Nissan Prairie seats, fitted to the base seat box of my y2000 Citroen Relay camper.
For our current 2012 Renault Master camper, I modified Ford Galaxy seats. Bit of info towards the botttom of this page to maybe give you some ideas.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/168690/rena...
Edited by Darryl247W on Wednesday 28th December 19:04
Edited by Darryl247W on Wednesday 28th December 19:05
Edited by Darryl247W on Wednesday 28th December 19:11
As the vehicle being converted is an ambulance it may be they have a swivel seat among the seats removed originally - a lot of A+E or middle tier ambulances have at least one of their single seats on a swivel base , less common on the 'minibus' type PTS vehicles though ...
Wonder if this could be any use to you?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Alphard-Rear-car-...
It's a set of seats from a Toyota Alphard - must have come from one having a full camper conversion with rock & roll bed.
The middle row of 3 seats consists of a single and a double bench, which both come on a swivel.
Those in the link are quite expensive - but it's an example of what you could search for.
The company who did my camper conversion on the Isle of Wight have stacks of seats taken from Japanese mini vans, so I suspect camper conversion companies may be a good place to start looking - look for middle row seats from the likes of the Alphard, Nissan Elgrand and Mazda Bongo.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Alphard-Rear-car-...
It's a set of seats from a Toyota Alphard - must have come from one having a full camper conversion with rock & roll bed.
The middle row of 3 seats consists of a single and a double bench, which both come on a swivel.
Those in the link are quite expensive - but it's an example of what you could search for.
The company who did my camper conversion on the Isle of Wight have stacks of seats taken from Japanese mini vans, so I suspect camper conversion companies may be a good place to start looking - look for middle row seats from the likes of the Alphard, Nissan Elgrand and Mazda Bongo.
Edited by Trabi601 on Wednesday 28th December 19:25
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