Improving front bench seat comfort

[VanMan48]

Sat on a front bench seat recently for the first time and couldn’t believe the zero adjustment in it. Bolt upright and can’t slide it back.

So wondered what improvements work well? I saw there is a bracket to make it more reclined. Which angle works well that doesn’t compromise rear legroom too much?

Also are there any seat covers that improve comfort on it?

 

[airhoguk]

You can buy either a fixed angle bracket to give you an alternative backrest angle or a folding bracket with either 5 or 10 degree additional rearwards lean. The folding bracket means that with a suitable ply panel inserted underneath the rear of the seat cover you can use the folded seat back for putting stuff on, using as a step to get in the pop top or a seat (need a cushion though). Some people have also unbolted the seat and put a couple of washers underneath the front bolts to increase the lean of the seat base more rearwards. A. VW T5 / T6 / T6.1 double folding passenger seat conversion. M1 crash tested. Fits all models 2003 to 2024.
I think I’ve seen the fixed brackets on Ebay

 

[soldas]

I've got the vankraft 10 degree folding bracket and a rusty lee sliding swivel base and I think that gives the best position possible. I'm a passenger quite a lot as the wife gets motion sickness when not driving and in OEM setup I would get a sore back after a while. Now I could easily go 3/4 hours without an issue.

The 10 degree (100mm) bracket does make quite a difference in terms of it taking up space in the back. I'm a full camper so no issue but if you are running close rear seats it could be an issue. Lots of photos on here of the difference. I can take one in the light tomorrow if interested.

 

[VanMan48]

I've got the vankraft 10 degree folding bracket and a rusty lee sliding swivel base and I think that gives the best position possible. I'm a passenger quite a lot as the wife gets motion sickness when not driving and in OEM setup I would get a sore back after a while. Now I could easily go 3/4 hours without an issue.

The 10 degree (100mm) bracket does make quite a difference in terms of it taking up space in the back. I'm a full camper so no issue but if you are running close rear seats it could be an issue. Lots of photos on here of the difference. I can take one in the light tomorrow if interested.

That would be handy to see thanks. It would be going into a kombi and no swivel base so rear legroom was on my mind. Maybe 5 degree would be enough but not sure.

 

[VanMan48]

You can buy either a fixed angle bracket to give you an alternative backrest angle or a folding bracket with either 5 or 10 degree additional rearwards lean. The folding bracket means that with a suitable ply panel inserted underneath the rear of the seat cover you can use the folded seat back for putting stuff on, using as a step to get in the pop top or a seat (need a cushion though). Some people have also unbolted the seat and put a couple of washers underneath the front bolts to increase the lean of the seat base more rearwards. A. VW T5 / T6 / T6.1 double folding passenger seat conversion. M1 crash tested. Fits all models 2003 to 2024.
I think I’ve seen the fixed brackets on Ebay

Thanks I’ll take a look. The washer idea sounds interesting too.

 

[Rob Mutzig]

I've got the vankraft 10 degree folding bracket and a rusty lee sliding swivel base and I think that gives the best position possible. I'm a passenger quite a lot as the wife gets motion sickness when not driving and in OEM setup I would get a sore back after a while. Now I could easily go 3/4 hours without an issue.

The 10 degree (100mm) bracket does make quite a difference in terms of it taking up space in the back. I'm a full camper so no issue but if you are running close rear seats it could be an issue. Lots of photos on here of the difference. I can take one in the light tomorrow if interested.

Also interested in this. Did you manage to get a photo @soldas?

 

[DXX]

Stuff a cushion with all the ££££££ you saved not buying the additional captains seat.

 

[monkeybusiness]

Also interested in this. Did you manage to get a photo @soldas?

Me too. How does it work when you have to spin the seats round?

 

[soldas]

Here is some photos of my seat in all it's positions with a 10 degree recline.

Driving

Pulled back into cab

Forward for 'lounge' eating

In the cab for standard 'day' mode.

 

[soldas]

Me too. How does it work when you have to spin the seats round?

Im on a sliding base so no issue but when I was on a fixed I'd click the toggle to put the back down (call it 90 degree flat) and have the ability to move the back around while sliding. Its hard to explain but if you imagine when the back is not locked flat or 10 degrees you can hold it in any position between 10 degrees back and 90 degree forwards.