Help me find a seat installer / solution (too in love with our 110 to move on!!)

OK, I know the topic itself has been ‘done to death’ all over the forums, but I’m looking for suggestions / recommendations for any specialist companies that could safely and professionally give me a solution to anything other than a lap belt for the middle row, centre seat of our 2003 plate 110 TD5 XS?

Basically we are all extremely fond of our 110, and after giving up my Series II 110 some years back I’m not keen to do the same again – even for a newer version. I’d much rather spend on ours if there is any sensible options.

I have read and seen about;

The 3 point harnesses with the rear anchor point 45 degrees to the floor (my least favourite option thus far as it ruins load space and more importantly raises big concerns as to the mounting strength / compression in an accident of the passenger).

Puma seat retrofit (I have concerns / reluctance to cut the wheel arches and serious concerns over the robustness of raising the seats on ply and bolting through the thin metal floor to secure, but aesthetically this is my favourite).

Mini bus or van seating (I’d be open to something appropriate but would want to look at specific solutions and understand how secure / safe specific seats may be, etc.)

I’m not too worried about folding seats in this middle row as would be keeping the load space as is (dog guard was fitted when we got the 110 and the load area works well for us as a separate space).

So foremost I’d be very keen to hear of any installer / company that might be able to help us (and happy to travel wherever in the country if something suitable can be offered). Secondly I’d be interested in any other options that are minimal in alteration, safe and as stock looking as possible that I might just have missed in the hours I’ve spent looking at this!

I’m hoping against hope that there is either someone or something out there that is feasible, safe and lets us stay with our current 110…???? Many thanks!

I had a series 3 ex military 88 van once which had been modified to be more civilian spec, and somebody had put a 3 point seatbelt in the front middle seat of that. There was a straight bar which went the width of the vehicle about an inch or two above the original bulkhead, and then bolted to the tub somehow if memory serves. The top of the seatbelt was then attached to the bar, and IIRC that's how they managed it.

I'm guessing that if you could source/ make a similar bar to go behind the 3 middle row seats then you could do much the same. It would probably be quicker and cheaper aswel.

The trouble would be in attaching it in a safe way which would pass an MOT I reckon, and also if you wanted to fold the middle row seats forward there would be a big bar across the landy which may make putting large items or boxes in the back difficult.

Could this be done by means of something like an internal roll cage? Then the mounting point could be on the roll bar up by the roof - out of the way and firmly attached.

Some cars, Merc springs to mind, have belts integral to the seat. Could one of those be squeezed in? You would need some serious reinforcing underneath but the chassis wouldn't be too far away.

Whilst you may overcome the installation problems unless there's a tested and approved product available I doubt any garage will cobble something up.

Too much to lose if there's an accident and it fails, plus I doubt your insurance company would approve a Heath Robinson seat belt for road use.

wack61 said:

Whilst you may overcome the installation problems unless there's a tested and approved product available I doubt any garage will cobble something up.

Too much to lose if there's an accident and it fails, plus I doubt your insurance company would approve a Heath Robinson seat belt for road use.

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You must have seen the transit minibus set up then High seat with integral belts held in by 2"" drilled plates under the TRANSIT FLOOR, which rusts quicker than a disco, not even welded.

Doesn't matter, manufacturer designed and type approved.

Retro fitting non approved seat belts leaves the fitter open to a multi million pound law suit if it fails.

Fitting an aftermarket product is one thing, designing and welding something in yourself or getting somebody to do it is completely different.

Exmoor trim

wack61 said:

Doesn't matter, manufacturer designed and type approved.

Retro fitting non approved seat belts leaves the fitter open to a multi million pound law suit if it fails.

Fitting an aftermarket product is one thing, designing and welding something in yourself or getting somebody to do it is completely different.

Click to expand...

Oh well there goes every landrover with non LR seats or a camel cut

livers said:

Oh well there goes every landrover with non LR seats or a camel cut

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defender seatbelts are separate to the seat, so i doubt the seat makes a difference. which is good as they aren't held on by much

I have just bought two minibus seats with integral seat belts and the rails and runners that allows me to take them out very easy, will post pics when fitted - best of both worlds

liability-wise, probably shaky ground, but for yourself, make sure they are attached to something solid like the chassis

I have an ex Police vans, seat with integral seatbelt it was actually a pair of single seats bolted together. I just unbolted it as I only needed 1 seat. I'd suggest similar and just replace the whole row with a set of 3 seats. You could also whilst you were at it, fit these to the floor and then the whole row would be easily dismountable if needed.

unwin koller van bus minibus camper cargo rail seat track van surface mounted x2 | eBay

And the seats to go with it..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-MINIBUS...CommercialVehicleParts_SM&hash=item1c4bc23f78

Pikey said:

I have an ex Police vans, seat with integral seatbelt it was actually a pair of single seats bolted together. I just unbolted it as I only needed 1 seat. I'd suggest similar and just replace the whole row with a set of 3 seats. You could also whilst you were at it, fit these to the floor and then the whole row would be easily dismountable if needed.

unwin koller van bus minibus camper cargo rail seat track van surface mounted x2 | eBay

And the seats to go with it..

1 MINIBUS SEAT WITH UNWIN FLOOR MOUNTING BRACKETS / CLAMPS, DIRECT COUNCIL | eBay

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Feeling pretty good at the price I paid now..... Right place right time

Fit later tdci defender seats like I have in my 2004 td5


Ray