nengelbrecht6
Member
First time Landy owner here. Just picked up a 1985 110 CSW and am trying to decide whether I should put two 2-man benches, two 3-man benches or four tip ups in the load area. Any suggestions or advice from you pros?
KillaJoules
Active Member
How long have you Ben driving?
I ask because newer licences only allow the driver 8 seats maximum. My 9 seat 110 can't be driven by my lads!
Also some insurance companies may balk at more than 8 seats. I was told by Lancaster who claim to be 4x4 specialists they would not cover a 9 seater let alone 12 which is what they used to be
The single inward facing seats in the rear of mine are quite comfortable.
I ask because newer licences only allow the driver 8 seats maximum. My 9 seat 110 can't be driven by my lads!
Also some insurance companies may balk at more than 8 seats. I was told by Lancaster who claim to be 4x4 specialists they would not cover a 9 seater let alone 12 which is what they used to be
The single inward facing seats in the rear of mine are quite comfortable.
nengelbrecht6
Member
Thanks for the reply! I've been driving for 20+ years.
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
The 3 'man' are about good for 2 men. Would have to go with the tip-ups. I took the benches out of mine as they took up load space and I couldn't find anyone willing to get flung around in the back!
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
BnQ have a garden sale on at the moment. Cheap benches anorl.ound:
Man 1 : " excuse me, is there a B&Q in Reading?".
Man 2 : " no, there's an r, an e, an a, a d, ..."
I'll leave now.
FlyingPete
Well-Known Member
My 1988 90 county has the four individual tip-up seats in the back which I reckon are the best option. You can then, for example, fold up some seats to make space for stuff while still having a seat or two in the back. When I went camping last year, we had one guy sitting nearest the door, with the other seats folded for the camping gear.
You wouldn't get this flexibility with bench seats, plus the individual seat backs are slightly shaped to make the more comfortable. I certainly wouldn't want to put 3 on a bench for more than a few miles.
With no seatbelts in the back (not required for side-facing seats) you could technically put 2 or 3 on a bench. If you do fit belts, you use lap belts only.
While they're not technically as safe as forward-facing seats with 3-point seatbelts, my personal opinion is that there probably isn't much difference in practical terms, plus the forward-facing seats really don't work that well ergonomically with access through the back door. Rear-facing might be an option though...
You wouldn't get this flexibility with bench seats, plus the individual seat backs are slightly shaped to make the more comfortable. I certainly wouldn't want to put 3 on a bench for more than a few miles.
With no seatbelts in the back (not required for side-facing seats) you could technically put 2 or 3 on a bench. If you do fit belts, you use lap belts only.
While they're not technically as safe as forward-facing seats with 3-point seatbelts, my personal opinion is that there probably isn't much difference in practical terms, plus the forward-facing seats really don't work that well ergonomically with access through the back door. Rear-facing might be an option though...
FlyingPete
Well-Known Member
It's 8 passenger seats maximum, so 9 including the driver, so as far as the DVLA are concerned, there's no problem. There's also a UK-only exemption for driving a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats on a category B licence.
nengelbrecht6
Member
Thanks for your insight. I think that the four tip ups would be better. This gives the best flexibility. Cheers!
FlyingPete
Well-Known Member
One thing I have never understood is how, in a defender, forward-facing seats are supposed to be safer. Look at this for example:
(from exmoor trim)Load Area Seats : LOCK AND FOLD - Left Hand
In order to get in and out of the back, you first have to fold up the seat. In a situation where you have to exit the vehicle quickly, how can that possibly be safe? They also say they're suitable for kids, and yet I can't see how you'd fit a kiddie seat+occupant to them without having to clamber over from the front. And they want how much for these?
In order to get in and out of the back, you first have to fold up the seat. In a situation where you have to exit the vehicle quickly, how can that possibly be safe? They also say they're suitable for kids, and yet I can't see how you'd fit a kiddie seat+occupant to them without having to clamber over from the front. And they want how much for these?
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
One thing I have never understood is how, in a defender, forward-facing seats are supposed to be safer. Look at this for example:
(from exmoor trim)Load Area Seats : LOCK AND FOLD - Left Hand
In order to get in and out of the back, you first have to fold up the seat. In a situation where you have to exit the vehicle quickly, how can that possibly be safe? They also say they're suitable for kids, and yet I can't see how you'd fit a kiddie seat+occupant to them without having to clamber over from the front. And they want how much for these?
It's a good job nobody's suggested them then!
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
Easily yes, bit time consuming though. Nuts are obviously on the underside of the Landy. I recall it was 4 nuts&bolts per bench.
overdrawn
Member
Ta!
