I’d like to add a 3rd seat to my Ford E250 van. I would only use it occasionally, so I don’t want to spend too much, but I do want it to be safe. [I already considered and rejected the classic 5 gallon bucket 🙂 ]
I figure if I get a middle-row modular seat from a Chevy Venture minivan it would have a seat belt already built-in and I could use the clamps to attach to bars that I would bolt to the floor. A bench seat with seat belts is another option, but it needs to be easily installed/removed.
Both of those ideas seem a bit complicated for my intended use. Has anyone seen a simple cost-effective approach. BTW, the seat doesn’t need to actually be comfortable.
-Don
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'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
I bought a bucket seat out of a wrecked conversion van. It has a plate which bolts through the floor and by turning a lever, the seat can be removed.
I only need a seat occasionaly, so it is handy.
I would see if you can find someone who does custom van conversions to give some advice on seat and lap belt attachment.
I have a 2001 E250 with same issue. Last summer I went to the junk yard and found two perfect folding bucket seats from the second row of a brand new Chrysler Town and Country Van (the van had a wrecked front end and couldn't have had 5,000 miles on it). I unbolted all the hooks and levers for the quick release mechanism and bolted the seat frames to a piece of 3/4" birch. The seats had the female end of the seat belt attached their frame, I just had to attach the male ends so at least there are lap belts. When I need the seats (which is rare), I just slide the assembly through the side door, line it up with some holes drilled in the corners of the plywood and the floor of the van, and bolt it down. The pain with the E250 is the only reasonable place to run bolts through the floor of the van is out near the sides of the van (due to the exhaust pipes and drive shaft running down the middle). Not sure if it's legal but it beats the five gallon bucket.
My next van will have an extended bed so I can have a couple of real factory seats plus room for 8' sheet goods.
I am a volunteer EMT and occasionaly see what the forces involved in an auto accident can do. I don't want to lecture anybody and hope you don't take this wrong, but if I understand your mounts, if the bolts ripped through the plywood while someone was strapped to the seat, it could be very bad.I don't want to be a pain, just something to think about.
These seats for my work van are rear facing with their backs up against the driver and front passenger seats so they take up less room. They also fold up and snap in and out in seconds. The seat belts are part of the seats. You might see if you can find something like this for occasional use. It is a very handy configuration.
Is that really a work van? Way too clean! My kids make a bigger mess on a ride to the mall!
Seriously, they look great, if the hired help gets to ride there they should consider themselves lucky!
Yes, It is a work van. I clean it out at the end of each week. I like the dern thing so well you would think I was selling 'em on commission. Here are some pics I've already posted here of the van in work mode.