Advice Hopefully Fitting Kombi Seats Into Panel Van

[Anthony Rowe]

Is there anybody out there and I imagine there is has a step by step guide to installing 2+1 Kombi seats into a panel van. I'm at the fitting stage and would like some advice i.e. for dropping the fuel tank / correct hole positions / seat belt positions in c-pillars / installation of the rubber matting. I managed to get the parts out of a T6 Kombi which was being converted. Plus all this and trying to do without a ramp or pit to get underneath, greatly appreciate some advice, as I'm in the Highlands and garages don't do this unless charging silly money.

 

[Pauly]

Dont forget you will need the C pillar strengthening bracket for mounting the seatbelt onto, kombis have factory reinforced pillars to accomodate the seatbelt mount PVs do not, if you got everything else from the kombi then you should have all you need.
The floor of the van will already have indentations in it where the brackets locate its just a case of seeing which ones you are using (there are several for triple seat/2+1/1+1+1) then centring up the mounts and drilling holes
The offside is not to bad to get at but the single is more tricky as the tank is in the way, never dropped the tank myself so cant advise on that one but plenty of others have so hopefully someone can share some wisdom with you

 

[Anthony Rowe]

Many thanks Pauly for your reply I appreciate it, I'm making my way through the threads and picking up info as I go!

 

[foggy3061]

Panel van to Kombi

 

[Yorkyrmcdo]

@Anthony Rowe

Drop me a line if you have any problems or need advice

In a nutshell, I put my rear end on ramps on the drive, remove all plastic trim from underneath to get access to the fuel tank and cross members

Undo 3 screws around the fuel filler cap, unclip and remove,

I made sure that my tank was nearly empty, supported with trolley jack and small piece of wood, remove tank straps and lower, don’t need much really

For the holes you need to mark 55mm from centre of the indent x2, pilot drill and drill 8mm or 10

I riveted all my brackets on to the cross members

 

[Anthony Rowe]

Many thanks Yorky will plan a weekend without work and get the parts ready, need to get some c pillar brackets

 

[Anthony Rowe]

Well seen a window and fitted my seats today, well chuffed bit of a pain in the arse but when you get into the mindset its pretty straight forward. Tank was a pain but like they say the less in it the better to handle. Just need to get x2 step covers now didn't realise the matting raised up higher than panel step. Still work in progress but loving it all the same.

 

[foggy3061]

Just need to get x2 step covers now didn't realise the matting raised up higher than panel step. Still work in progress but loving it all the same.

Watch out for people selling shuttle steps as kombi steps!

They have a plastic tab sticking up at either end (presumably to locate in plastic piller trims) that will do nothing but look wrong in a panel van conversion!

 

[Anthony Rowe]

Thanks for that will keep an eye out

 

[ph1l1]

Thanks for that will keep an eye out

Hi Anthony
I want to convert my t5 to a kombi, do you have any advise now you’ve done it. Also where you got strengthening plates etc.
Also was it easy enough to get log book changed?
Cheers

 

[foggy3061]

Hi Anthony
I want to convert my t5 to a kombi, do you have any advise now you’ve done it. Also where you got strengthening plates etc.
Also was it easy enough to get log book changed?
Cheers

Have a read of the thread I linked near the top of this thread.

 

[ph1l1]

Have a read of the thread I linked near the top of this thread.

Thanks foggy, just read your thread, didn’t see that initially so thanks for sending link.
Really detailed, thanks. How long do u think it took?
I’ve also got to do windows, is that pretty easy?

 

[foggy3061]

Thanks foggy, just read your thread, didn’t see that initially so thanks for sending link.
Really detailed, thanks. How long do u think it took?
I’ve also got to do windows, is that pretty easy?

It took me a good two days to complete. I didn't rush as I primed & painted all the freshly drilled holes and sealed up all the new holes as the brackets were bolted in. All the new riveted reinforcing brackets underneath were sealed up too. I wouldn't have been happy if anything was less than tip top!

It would depend on how confident you are at performing jobs like this and how you are for tooling.

As for windows, I took it to a local windscreen specialist who fit windows to Van's regularly, mostly T5/T5.1/T6s. Considering the cost of a high quality diy window kit i was considering verses what they charged to supply and fit (the same high quality window kits used) it seemed the logical choice to let them fit the windows!