Cuby Box or Centre Seat

border · Apr 5, 2020

Just fitted my seats on my rebuild. Now Although the centre seat looks nice, Im thinking of changing for Cubby box. I had a 90 once with centre seat and was really only good for one of the smaller kids, no good for a bigger person as gear sticks in the way, not sure why they were fitted in the first place, or if they are Legal..
Mine is not bolted in yet till I decide.

kevstar · Apr 5, 2020

Cubby box for me as I have no use for a middle seat.

Val. h · Apr 5, 2020

I have the centre seat. Firstly we have dogs that won't stay in the back, secondly cubbies get in the way of my elbow. Another option is having a storage tray under the centre seat, which I'll be doing at some point. https://yrmit.co.uk/product/lt77-r380-centre-seat-tool-box-land-rover-defender/

Val.

tottot · Apr 5, 2020

The choice is yours, centre seat is handy when grand kids want a bumpy ride around the farm.

Rougharse Racing · Apr 5, 2020

I wouldn't put anyone in a seat with just a lap-strap.

border · Apr 5, 2020

Think Ive made my mind up, Gonna go for a Cubby,
Anyone want to swap a Lovely centre seat for a Lovely Cubby Box ??

aevans692 · Apr 6, 2020

I have a centre seat , my little lad liked to ride up front , but he is getting a bit big now .....

300bhp/ton · Apr 6, 2020

border said:
Just fitted my seats on my rebuild. Now Although the centre seat looks nice, Im thinking of changing for Cubby box. I had a 90 once with centre seat and was really only good for one of the smaller kids, no good for a bigger person as gear sticks in the way, not sure why they were fitted in the first place, or if they are Legal..
Mine is not bolted in yet till I decide.

Why on Earth would you think they are not legal????

They can be handy, obviously it depends on how big everyone is. But it is possible to fit 3 adults in the front quite reasonably. Have done it many many times. Thus making it very handy, as you could have a hard top or a pickup full of stuff in the back and still carry 3 people.

As for you, depends what you are after. the 3 seat opens the cabin up quite a bit and you can always put stuff on it. A cubby box gives an armrest and maybe a cupholder or tray and a place to put loads of junk. But makes the driving space feel smaller and stops you easily sliding across to the other door if needed.

mick the builder · Apr 6, 2020

Always liked bench seats, I'll have to look to see if its been done.

Rougharse Racing · Apr 6, 2020

mick the builder said:
Always liked bench seats, I'll have to look to see if its been done.

Look no further than 107" Series 1's

mick the builder · Apr 6, 2020

Rougharse Racing said:
Look no further than 107" Series 1's

I was thinking of something more this end of the century. Last one I can remember driving was a Ford p100. The only being, if the driver wants to move seat forward, everyone else has to aswell.

border · Apr 6, 2020

OK for the Grandkids but last time one of my sons was in it could hardly move myself never mind change gear. Yes they do look good and seems like there's lots of space but Think they are only for very small people. Mines a 110 and will eventually have enough seating in the back for the kids and dogs, so probably still go for the Cubby up front.

mick the builder · Apr 6, 2020

My son is still just small enough to sit in the front. I'm not a fan of lap belts so fitting an inward facing seat in the back wouldn't be any less dangerous in my opinion. Not sure about doe test and insurance though.

dag019 · Apr 7, 2020

Rougharse Racing said:
I wouldn't put anyone in a seat with just a lap-strap.

A lap belt is better than the side facing seats in the rear which have no seatbelts!

300bhp/ton said:
They can be handy, obviously it depends on how big everyone is. But it is possible to fit 3 adults in the front quite reasonably. Have done it many many times. Thus making it very handy, as you could have a hard top or a pickup full of stuff in the back and still carry 3 people.

I would agree with this, you can fit three adults across the front, although you do not want to be going long distance it is fine for 30min between locations when the back is full of muddy dog or tools. you quickly develop a crooked arm to change gear where you keep you elbow pinned against your side.
For me the space and openness of the centre seat when not being used as a seat is far more use than a cubby box, you can fit a lot more on the seat then in the box. If you want some where to put little things and some cup holders then as has been mentioned above get a couple fo the neat storage trays fro under the seat and around the gear stick, then you have the best of both world.

mick the builder said:
Not sure about doe test and insurance though.

I do not know how it works for you but UK the rear side facing seats do not need seatbelts, if not belt is fitted it does not need testing in the mot. If you fit seat belts (lap belts) they are then a testable item and need to be fitted correctly with the mounting points and brackets strengthened and I believe (don't have them myself) down onto the chassis. Again, not sure how it would work for you but when I fitted my rear seats I just changed the number of seats on the v5 and sent it off to the dvla and then when the insurance renewal came though the vehicle came up on the data base as having the number of seats I had put on the v5.

mick the builder · Apr 7, 2020

I might make a try to fit under the seat for storage. I fancy the tray system that fits on the gearbox tunnel but I think it would make less leg room for centre seat passengers. Although a chubby box sounds good for storage and as an arm rest, I too would miss the fact that I can (easily

) slide over to the other seat for whatever.

300bhp/ton · Apr 7, 2020

mick the builder said:
I might make a try to fit under the seat for storage. I fancy the tray system that fits on the gearbox tunnel but I think it would make less leg room for centre seat passengers. Although a chubby box sounds good for storage and as an arm rest, I too would miss the fact that I can (easily ) slide over to the other seat for whatever.

https://yrmit.co.uk/product/lt77-r380-centre-seat-tool-box-land-rover-defender/

Chalky. · Apr 9, 2020

I find the centre seat very useful, I've got a kids seat that secures with a lap which is handy. Also as has been said previously, ay work it's handy having the lads in with me, Saws and kit bags in the back, trailer for everything else.

I do know it's illegal to try and retro fit a centre seat into a tdci fender, but td5 and younger, an extra seat is always preferable than a cubby, remember, if you're the driver you don't have to sit on it!!!

dag019 · Apr 9, 2020

Gottschalk said:
if you're the driver you don't have to sit on it!!!

exactly and any complaining passenger can be offered the option to walk instead! Anyway the ladies don't seem to mind as if yours is anything like mine the gearstick vibrates like a goodun

Chalky. · Apr 9, 2020

dag019 said:
exactly and any complaining passenger can be offered the option to walk instead! Anyway the ladies don't seem to mind as if yours is anything like mine the gearstick vibrates like a goodun

Absolutely!!

Muddy tree man · Apr 13, 2020

It completely depends on your personal use. I’ve previously had a central seat and although it’s handy to seat an extra person the position for that passenger and the driver is very uncomfortable. I now have a cubby box instead which is very useful in other ways (especially as the dafender Td5 doesn’t have a glove box). I’m now considering swapping the centre seat in the second row for a cubby box too for somewhere for the rear passengers to store stuff/ rest an elbow etc. I personally thing it gives a more refined look too ( if that’s what you’re after -not usually the case with defenders) bottom line is: how often will you be having that extra passenger??

Cuby Box or Centre Seat

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