New T5 Owner

[Ian.]

Hi all

Picked up my first VW transporter this afternoon, its been converted to a day can so has electrics and a full size RnR bed

We have a young child so would like to be able to use it for family trips, however it only has a single front seat.

How easy is it to swap my single seat for a double? I've been googling it for a while and there seems to be a lot of conflicting information - some say its a straight swap, whilst some say it requires the dropping of the fuel tank to fit reinforcement plates?

Has anyone actually done this swap and know the answer?

Thanks

 

[AJCConversions]

Hi Ian.
A single seat fits onto 4 studs with nuts on top.
The double seat uses 8 studs, 4 of these are the same studs for the sungle seat.
If your van came with a double seat when new, you will have the captive nuts in the floor for the studs to screw into.
If it's always had a single seat fitted, then you will need 4 extra studs fitting. The issue is that the captive nuts in the floor will be missing for the 4 extra studs.
I think this requires a tank drop to fit the captive nuts ( I'm 90% sure on this but not 100% )
Maybe have a look on your cab floor. Can you see 4 holes unsued from a double seat ?
I hope this helps and makes sense

 

[Peatey]

Don't for get to check the air bag situation, if it originally came with a single seat it will only have a single air bag

 

[Duncan Disorderly]

I know the RnR is probably waaay back in the van, so you’d all feel a bit disjointed when travelling… but before you do anything, try sitting on a double bench seat for any length of time. IMO they’re incredibly uncomfortable compared to the single passenger seat.

I’ve recently had an extra single seat installed into my T6.1 kombi (at the back) which is removable for when I need the load space for work, or if we’re camping, but great for when we have a 6th person tagging along. Wonder if you’d be better off putting a removable seat behind the driver?

 

[Ian.]

Hi Ian.
A single seat fits onto 4 studs with nuts on top.
The double seat uses 8 studs, 4 of these are the same studs for the sungle seat.
If your van came with a double seat when new, you will have the captive nuts in the floor for the studs to screw into.
If it's always had a single seat fitted, then you will need 4 extra studs fitting. The issue is that the captive nuts in the floor will be missing for the 4 extra studs.
I think this requires a tank drop to fit the captive nuts ( I'm 90% sure on this but not 100% )
Maybe have a look on your cab floor. Can you see 4 holes unsued from a double seat ?
I hope this helps and makes sense

I've just been out to have a check and there are 2 covered over bolts between the passenger seat and handbrake, is it possible there was a double fitted previously with 6 bolts? or is it possible that the current passenger seat is covering a further 2 unused? I'll try and get some pictures later today and if the weather dries up may try and get the seat out later today

Don't for get to check the air bag situation, if it originally came with a single seat it will only have a single air bag

Bizarrely, the van doesn't have any passenger air bags. I'm not too concerned about the airbags TBH as they would need disabling for her car seat to be installed anyway

As for comfort, I'll probably do 99% of the driving so its the wife who would be uncomfortable not me!

 

[AJCConversions]

Hi Ian, good news is that it's looks like you already had a double seat. The other two are under the passenger seat base.
Easy job now.

 

[cgtmiles]

And profitable too, single seats should be worth a lot more than doubles

 

[sparkzer]

Bizarrely, the van doesn't have any passenger air bags. I'm not too concerned about the airbags TBH as they would need disabling for her car seat to be installed anyway

As for comfort, I'll probably do 99% of the driving so its the wife who would be uncomfortable not me!

My other half regularly sits in the front with our boys car seat in the middle...she fits fine and we have done 1000's of miles in the van over the years, but should i need to take a different passenger who is of larger build, i do take out the kids seat to allow them to spread a bit.

just an FYI, the double seat doesn't have Isofix points, but you can get a mount that works well - Isofix retrofit - Front Double-Seat

 

[Neilmcc]

The single passenger seat are worth a lot more than a double if you sell it let me know when you post it on here please