Rear seat options / recommendations

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Flat 6

Flat 6

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Boy am I chuffed with my new series 3!

Thing is the family like it too! So much so I think I'll be using it more than expected and there's five of us.

So, need two seats in the rear.

Any recommendations on the setup? I think two single foldups looks a better solution to one bench seat but looks a fair bit more expensive. Presumably any standard seatbelt setup would do.

Alternatively, it would seem safer to have a bench seat across the rear area behind the front seats, facing rearwards. Can that be done? That would mean moving spare to rear door or bonnet, how easy is that?

Questions, questions...

Al.
 
Personally, although it should be possible, I would not fit a bench across the rear due to the permanent loss of load area. The folding seats, even the double benches still leave most of the load area accessible when not in use and the spare wheel can stay in place on the bulkhead.
If you fit side facing seats don't fit seat belts they are not a legal requirement and are arguable more dangerous than not having any due to the direction of force (many threads have discussed this topic previously). If they are fitted however they will need to be fitted in a suitable manner to pass the mot and that will make things more difficult and more expensive.
I have double benches each side in my swb series III and two individual folding side facing seats each side in my in my 110 (can post pictures of either set up if you are interested). The individual ones are worlds apart in terms of comfort although they are considerable more expensive even second hand, so it depends how much time and distance you are planning to have passengers for. My series is a weekend toy for me so I settled for the benches, the 110 is my daily drive and had benches originally but I upgraded when I found a set or individuals at a reasonable price on ebay.
 
I'd say the twin singles are slightly more comfy than a bench, and if you can source some from a disco 1 cheaply, gwyn Lewis to a simple conversion bracket to mount on rear arches, and it includes the belt mount!
 
The kids are 14 (x2) and 16. The wife's past caring...

I reckon they should be good to hang on! Maybe I need to install some hand rails. I notice there is one on the back door but none elsewhere....
 
I have a SWB with the bench seats and three teenage kids who now refuse to travel in the rear unless exceptional circumstances (no longer cool). Kids would travel if it was a vintage or classic sports car. If you can find at the right price I'd get the seats but demand might tail off as kids get older. Is it a safari? Remember insurance declarations!
 
I have two bench seats in the rear. As mentioned they fold up to leave plenty of load space when needed. You can also keep the spare in the back with bench seats - I just put a nice cover on mine to make it clean and smart.
I've read stories where the weight of the wheel and tyre on the back door can cause weld fractures and should ideally have 3 hinges. For that reason I've steered clear of this. You could consider a swing away mount but these can be costly and looks a bit too Shogun ish to me.

The benches are not very comfy - ok for shortish trips. To be fair, some are better than others. The more comfy ones seem to have firmer foam I've noticed. Being the thoroughly generous chap that I am, I provided the luxury of a cushion each to each of my girls (age 13 & 10)
 
Whats all this buy. :eek:
Scrap buses have at least three flip up seats each and they are heavier duty, fold better and spring loaded to boot.
Alternatively take a spanner on the number 6. I think its a torx head to take the back out and a 18mm to drop the frame off the wall.
:D

There is 3 scrappers at the back of our depot. Thats nine of the sods. :p
 
lra061-forward-jumpseat-jpg.258949

Ones like this are the safest by far, when used with a three point belt, properly secured. They fold up out of the way when not in use. Not that expensive considering all the problems they solve and the knowledge that your family are properly secured and have a chance in a crash.

Or if you're loaded:

Rearseat1.jpg
 
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