best option for swivel seats
- Thread starter rover220
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- swivel seat
Vankraft one looks good
www.vankraft.co.uk
ALL in ONE double passenger seat swivel base with folding backrest
The Vankraft All in One swivel base offers many advantages over the products currently available and comes with a fold flat backrest bracket which has a more comfortable recline angle built in. Cables for heated seats / airbags / occupancy sensors etc can pass through the swivel mechanism. 240 v...
That probably applies to a lot of people but that swivel base was on the website and billed as 'Coming Soon' almost a year ago when I bought my reclining bracket from them.
Still says 'Coming Soon' though. If that price is correct it's a lot of money especially (if my interpretation of the video is right) when you seem seem to lose a lot of the storage space that is available with the original base.. As I said before, that's one of the prime reasons to retain the old double seat for me - that and I don't actually find it any less comfortable than a single now that it's modified with the reclining bracket and I have an armrest on the RH side (which also provides a bit of space to stow smaller bits and pieces). Those are my views anyway but I appreciate that others will differ.
I have sportscraft swivels too, very happy with them. Only thing is the handbrake lowering (with a bit of welding it looks and works like original)
Thinking of the 2-seater bench:
Advantage of the single seats = easy to get to the front/back
Advantage of the double seat = more space to sit/hang for the co-driver
If I had a double I think I wouldn't change for single.
Thinking of the 2-seater bench:
Advantage of the single seats = easy to get to the front/back
Advantage of the double seat = more space to sit/hang for the co-driver
If I had a double I think I wouldn't change for single.
Robbitussin
Member
Hi Rod, I am going to have both Sportcraft swivels and will have 2 x batt and full electric system underneath (split between both). Quick question, do I need to lower the handbrake at all if i am automatic? Also do you need to use the bracket or can you just shorten? I can’t find any videos. Do you have your photos you mentioned on another post? How does it look now? Got any instructions on how to do what you have done? Thanks in advance.
Robbitussin
Member
Hi, you got a picture of how the handbrake looks please and details on what you did. Can’t find anything anywhere? Does it need to be lowered if you have an automatic?? Thank you!!! Appreciated.
Pretty sure it still needs lowering, mine’s a dsg with Sportscraft swivels but I didn’t fit them.
www.campervanconversion.co.uk
Instructions on fitting VW T5 Seat Swivel from Sportscraft | Campervan Conversion
I fitted two Sportscraft swivels to our van. The lowering bracket that comes with them is a bit flimsy so we replaced it with a different stronger one from a firm on ebay which also sell a plastic cover to replace the original. This is one option,the other is to move the handbrake bracket down and have it re-welded,i know that is what a few people on here have done and that way,you can use the oem handbrake cover,just depends how you want to go about it
If the handbrake is in the same spot it needs to be lowered.
2 options:
1. With the adapter. Works, but you can't properly fit the cover anymore (the handle cover, yes, but the base cover, no. You can 'cut-adapt' it but it will look like shit in my opinion. There's (for UK ones) a new cover available that will fit, will have a look if I can find a link...
2. Cutting-welding. If you can weld or know somebody that can, this is by far the best and nicest option, and quite easy (it seems worse than it is...). You take the base off (4 screws and 2 connectors for the seat, 2 bolts and a connector for the handbrake, and 4 bolts for the base), and after that you drill out the spot welds that keep the handbrake holder to the seat base.
After that you cut of the bottom lip (you'll know what I mean when you see it) so the handbrake holder sits level with the bottom of the base. Then weld it back on, paint it black, and put everything back together.
Now, for the handbrake base cover, you just cut off the amount of cm you lowered it, put it back on, and it looks (and feels) back like original.
(will send pics later)
Grtz
Jan
2 options:
1. With the adapter. Works, but you can't properly fit the cover anymore (the handle cover, yes, but the base cover, no. You can 'cut-adapt' it but it will look like shit in my opinion. There's (for UK ones) a new cover available that will fit, will have a look if I can find a link...
2. Cutting-welding. If you can weld or know somebody that can, this is by far the best and nicest option, and quite easy (it seems worse than it is...). You take the base off (4 screws and 2 connectors for the seat, 2 bolts and a connector for the handbrake, and 4 bolts for the base), and after that you drill out the spot welds that keep the handbrake holder to the seat base.
After that you cut of the bottom lip (you'll know what I mean when you see it) so the handbrake holder sits level with the bottom of the base. Then weld it back on, paint it black, and put everything back together.
Now, for the handbrake base cover, you just cut off the amount of cm you lowered it, put it back on, and it looks (and feels) back like original.
(will send pics later)
Grtz
Jan
Your question is well answered above, best option is to have the existing handbrake bracket moved down and forward a bit and rewelded on as described. The only small down side is that you have to reach a bit lower to pull the brake on. Once you get used to the change you won't notice it any more.
Robbitussin
Member
Thank you very much for your comprehensive notes regarding this. Much appreciated. Rob
Robbitussin
Member
Cheers everyone that’s really good - thanks.
Is it okay to unplug connectors under seat and reconnect before turning on ignition on a t6.1 ?. Am I right to assume main battery should stay connected at all times.
