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06-17-2018, 02:19 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Vashon, Washington
Posts: 57
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird / Microbird
Chassis: Chevy 3500
Engine: Chevy Vortec 6.0 gas
Rated Cap: 30
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Swap driver's bucket seat for bench?
Happy Father's Day!
I have a 2003 Chevy 3500 cutaway BlueBird MicroBird (5 window), with 14' from the back of the driver's seat to the back door, so I've got ~100 sq ft to work with.
In the interest of conserving space AND having a "front" seat for a passenger, I'm wondering if it's feasible to replace my driver's seat (~21" wide) with a bench seat from a compact truck or even the middle seat of an SUV or van? (I'm thinking in the ~44-48" range) I think there'd be enough room to accommodate it, and I'm curious if anyone here has done a swap, or know someone who has?
Thanks!
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06-17-2018, 02:51 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
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You can put a seat where ever you want it if you have room. My co pilot seat is clear over to the right. It's a second row seat out of a 2001 Pontiac Montana mounted on a swivel base from Factory RV Surplus https://factoryrvsurplus.com/product...aptains-chair/
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06-17-2018, 03:37 PM
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#3
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Vashon, Washington
Posts: 57
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird / Microbird
Chassis: Chevy 3500
Engine: Chevy Vortec 6.0 gas
Rated Cap: 30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa
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The driver’s seat (which I pulled) has a fuse box mounted to the floor underneath, so I can’t go with a captain’s chair for ME, but i’d Consider it for a co-pilot.
Thank you for the link!
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04-24-2019, 03:21 PM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
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I'm on the process of doing this as we speak and have run into a small issue or more a lack of knowledge I guess. There are 3 half metal have rubber posts sticking up from the floor that are in the way of my new chair. I initially thought they were pressure sensitive for the seatbelts but after inspection the previous bucket seat doesn't touch them.....can I remove them? Or will it set off a permanent alarm that I'll have to disengage?
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04-24-2019, 05:10 PM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 50
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Those look like caps that were put on top of an exposed threaded section of a bolt.
If I had to guess, I would say all of your model bus get them welded in place for an option that doesn't go on all buses.
Can you see the underside of these bolts?
Run a knife along the edge of one and peel it like a banana, I bet you just find a plain jane bolt.
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04-24-2019, 05:25 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelby987
Those look like caps that were put on top of an exposed threaded section of a bolt.
If I had to guess, I would say all of your model bus get them welded in place for an option that doesn't go on all buses.
Can you see the underside of these bolts?
Run a knife along the edge of one and peel it like a banana, I bet you just find a plain jane bolt.
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I thought that at first also, but enlarged the base of the cap looks thin with no lip. Looks thick on top but tapers to the diameter of the "stud" at the base. Curious for a reply from the OP.
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04-24-2019, 07:58 PM
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#7
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: new hampshire
Posts: 20
Year: 2004
Coachwork: 35' Phantom
Chassis: Gillig
Engine: Cummins 280Hp
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I'd second the idea that it's an used mounting point with a rubber "booty" over the threads. The "peeling" will tell the tale for sure.
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04-26-2019, 12:12 PM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
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Yep they sure were. I just cut them down and drilled my new holes through. I'll weld the plate in place afterwards.
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04-26-2019, 12:21 PM
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#9
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Skoolie
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Indiana
Posts: 128
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Me
Chassis: 2001 IC
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
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I unbolted mine and screwed a desk chair from work right in its place. Comfortable and I like the pleather.
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05-10-2019, 03:37 PM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
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This is how we did our passenger seat... quick release base from a conversion van (junkyard score)
Modified the other half to fit a fold flat seat (second row bucket from a minivan with a universal 5pt harness)
Now, the passenger seat swivels easily.. folds flat and slides forward to step in and out somewhat easy... and when parked, is released from the base and tucks in the passenger foot well area. Works out nice.
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05-13-2019, 09:44 AM
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#11
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Skoolie
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Indiana
Posts: 128
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Me
Chassis: 2001 IC
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
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Nice work Mr4btTahoe !!
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05-14-2019, 12:13 PM
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#12
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Wamego Ks
Posts: 617
Year: 2007
Chassis: Collins
Engine: 6.6L LMM Duramax
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I like the passenger swivel seat. I need to do that in my bus after I remove the bus doors and the linkage!!
__________________
2007 Collins (Chevy Express 3500)
LMM Duramax Diesel with newly rebuilt 4L85E Transmission!
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05-14-2019, 10:19 PM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
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We still have the door linkage and it's snug but doesn't get in the way. Eventually, we'd like to delete it but who knows if/when that'll happen.
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05-14-2019, 10:23 PM
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#14
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Wamego Ks
Posts: 617
Year: 2007
Chassis: Collins
Engine: 6.6L LMM Duramax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr4btTahoe
We still have the door linkage and it's snug but doesn't get in the way. Eventually, we'd like to delete it but who knows if/when that'll happen.
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I bought a camper door to install. Once I get it figured out and installed, I might work on a swivel front seat... Do both of yours swivel, it just passenger?
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05-15-2019, 12:34 AM
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#15
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frochevy
I bought a camper door to install. Once I get it figured out and installed, I might work on a swivel front seat... Do both of yours swivel, it just passenger?
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Both but the driver's seat isn't very functional. The driver's seat was on a swivel base when I got the bus so I just left it but I don't use it. The passenger side seat on a swivel makes sense.
My wife is always the co-pilot and with our kids in the back, if anything is going in, she can quickly spin the seat around and take care of it of I'm not in a position to get stopped or what have you. The quick release and the fact that the seat folds flat is great for us as we are very limited on space.
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