Disco 1 Seven seat conversion

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ian87

New Member
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Hi,

How much effort is involved in fitting 2 rear seats in a Discovery 300tdi?

I have a 5 seater, but the extra seats would be useful. I can get a hold of a donor vehicle that is a write off, but I would like to know if there is more to it that changing the trim and fitting an anchor for the belt.
My Disco has been fairly reliable and rust free, so don't really want to risk swapping it, if it can be avoided.

Any help, much appreciated.
 
Not sure,

But, have you checked to see if the anchor points are there?

Plus I assume you would need to change the V5 and inform the insurance.

Other than that it always looked like it was swap bits and bolt in.

Cheers
 
I suspect the physical fitting wouldnt be impossible... you might have to fabricate some anchor points I guess

The difficult bit will be dealing with the DVLA, getting the V5 changed etc to re-register it as a 7 seat vehicle.
 
DVLA shouldn't be a problem, I hope. MoT station can test the 2 new seats if they fit for purpose and just notify the DVLA of the modification.

I guess the best way to find out is give it a go, but I don't really have the space for a second car lying around.

Thanks
 
As the owner of a seven seat D2, taking a look at one might give you some iseas of what might be needed, and also an idea of what you can legally get away with.
The D2 rear row seats are fold away types so will require mounting points on the sidewalls and also some method of locking them in place to the floor when they're deployed for use.
The next thing to consider is the seat belts; whether or not to use a single lap strap type or a three point chest and lap strap. In either case, the seatbelt type and mounting points will need very careful consideration.
Apart from the seatbelts, there's also the anti-whiplash head restraints to consider. Failure to fit those could result in the passenger smashing their head through the rear window due to the whiplash effect in the case of a collision.
I think there's also an EU rule about seven seat vehicles having to be on air suspension, but that probably refers to initial manufacture rather than later modification. Your insurance company will need to be informed.
 
brian47 said:
As the owner of a seven seat D2, taking a look at one might give you some iseas of what might be needed, and also an idea of what you can legally get away with.
The D2 rear row seats are fold away types so will require mounting points on the sidewalls and also some method of locking them in place to the floor when they're deployed for use.
The next thing to consider is the seat belts; whether or not to use a single lap strap type or a three point chest and lap strap. In either case, the seatbelt type and mounting points will need very careful consideration.
Apart from the seatbelts, there's also the anti-whiplash head restraints to consider. Failure to fit those could result in the passenger smashing their head through the rear window due to the whiplash effect in the case of a collision.
I think there's also an EU rule about seven seat vehicles having to be on air suspension, but that probably refers to initial manufacture rather than later modification. Your insurance company will need to be informed.
Click to expand...
@brian47

There is some confusion there.

For a D1, the seats fold out differently to a D2, they are side (inward) facing seats. I would be very surprised if the bolt holes ( anchorages) for the seats and the belts are not already in place.Belts are only lap belts. It would just require the swapping of parts.

EU law did not come into place for the D1 regarding the air suspension.
 
neilly said:
@brian47

There is some confusion there.

For a D1, the seats fold out differently to a D2, they are side (inward) facing seats. I would be very surprised if the bolt holes ( anchorages) for the seats and the belts are not already in place.Belts are only lap belts. It would just require the swapping of parts.

EU law did not come into place for the D1 regarding the air suspension.
Click to expand...
So, basically any similarity between the Discovery1 and the Discovery 2 is purely coincidental then.
I'd best keep me mouth shut then.
 
brian47 said:
So, basically any similarity between the Discovery1 and the Discovery 2 is purely coincidental then.
I'd best keep me mouth shut then.
Click to expand...

No , they have the same name...... :p

It would be a better system to put the D2 style of seats in as I think they are inherently better for safety, but I think the work required would make it unfeasible.

The OP needs to start by stripping the back of his current one out and seeing if all the bolt holes / anchors are there.

Cheers
 
All the fixing points for seats and belts will be there, behind the boot trim panels.
Number of seats my disco has isn't mentioned on its V5 registration certificate, so maybe not important as far as the DVLA is concerned back then and it being a newish V5 requirement

The V5s I have for three other cars, two with new registrations state the number of seats 5, one doesn't, but then it's 40 years old and has only 4. :)

Best tell you insurance company, as it is a "modification" but I've never been ask how many seat the vehicle has when obtaining insurance quotations.
 
How can It be a mod ? He ain't altering the structure of the motor just adding seats to were the lazy buggers couldn't be arsed on Friday afternoon:oops::rolleyes:
 
neilly said:
No , they have the same name...... :p

It would be a better system to put the D2 style of seats in as I think they are inherently better for safety, but I think the work required would make it unfeasible.

The OP needs to start by stripping the back of his current one out and seeing if all the bolt holes / anchors are there.

Cheers
Click to expand...

The D2 has a slightly longer body to accommodate the forward facing row-3 seats. I suspect they would just fit in a D1, but with no legroom, and there wouldnt be the space to fold them up into the side of the boot out the way when not in use.

The D1 and D2 might LOOK very similar, but the relatively subtle differences actually make them virtually incompatible when it comes to bodywork parts etc. According to wikipedia the only body panel that is unchanged between the two models is the rear door!
 
private penguin said:
The D2 has a slightly longer body to accommodate the forward facing row-3 seats. I suspect they would just fit in a D1, but with no legroom, and there wouldnt be the space to fold them up into the side of the boot out the way when not in use.

The D1 and D2 might LOOK very similar, but the relatively subtle differences actually make them virtually incompatible when it comes to bodywork parts etc. According to wikipedia the only body panel that is unchanged between the two models is the rear door!
Click to expand...

Thanks, glad I have owned both,
:p

Cheers
 
It's interesting to read I'm not the only one considering this mod. I've got a 300 series commercial and have just bought some rear folding seats and belts etc. to go in it. I'm expecting to find some rusty holes behind the trim panels when I remove them however! Hopefully the mounting points will be there though.
 
All the fixings should be there for the "jump seats" and lap belts, the d1 doesn't carry type approval from the eec as it was t a thing then similar to the defender hence why they had to change them on the d2 to front facing seats as side facets don't pass regs the human body can't take impact that way.. swap the side panels and install the seats, as they are "jump seats" if they are folded away they do not have to be tested as part of the mot like a spare wheel if not presented cannot fail!
It's a "they are only there for use off road" argument dvla should have no problem altering your logbook if you submit information supporting that they are fitted in compliance with the manufacturer and that they are genuine parts available on the model fitted.. 20 mins at your local vosa site..
 
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