Driver's seat/Captain's chair

[DreamWeaverBus]

So when it comes to the driver seat... I'm probably not gonna be picky at first, replacing the chair it comes with can easily come later as long as it's in decent condition.

But I was considering replacing it with a double seat from my van, one of the back seats that can seat two or three, so I had room for at least one passenger to sit with me while driving, leaving the seat belts on.

Is this even legal or advisable? Take up too much room?

[Robin97396]

I'm having a difficult time visualizing a bench seat in the driver's area.

Don't know if it's illegal. They do this in pickup trucks all the time.

[DreamWeaverBus]

I really love the idea of a bench seat for the bus, TBH. Room for a passenger, or room for my cat, who I think enjoys a view when I'm driving. If it's legal in trucks, I don't see why it wouldn't be OK in a bus, but it's a good idea to look into it... Assuming it's legal, I can't see a downside except for POSSIBLY less entry room in the cab area. Depends on what I pull out of the cab area, an undertaking I am NOT gonna enjoy but probably will want to do.

Definitely gonna put dynomat under the hood to reduce sound...

[Rameses]

I've never seen an air ride bench seat, so I'll be keeping my bucket and installing a passenger's seat.

[DreamWeaverBus]

If it's legal I think I will do it....

[Alan N]

Why wouldn't it be legal?
Go for it!
Post pictures!

[DreamWeaverBus]

OK!!!! lol you might have to wait a while...

[Jessiekij]

hey! did you go through with this? any tips for how to mount the seat to the floor? i had to replace my driver's seat and bought two matching captain's chairs... will it suffice to screw the seat mount directly to the floor?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Jessiekij

hey! did you go through with this? any tips for how to mount the seat to the floor? i had to replace my driver's seat and bought two matching captain's chairs... will it suffice to screw the seat mount directly to the floor?

Forces in a collision are significant, so you will want to use bolts, washers and locknuts, Grade 5 minimum. Any tubing used to build-up your throne should be 1/4" wall. You don't want to leave your bus through the windshield...

[Robin97396]

I think those forces during a crash are why the seatbelts are usually also bolted to the floor independently, like the driver's seat. A crash is to much stress for a pedestal mounted seat to withstand by itself if the belts are attached to the seat itself.

[bubb, the real one]

Make sure you use bolts, preferably at least 3/8in bolted into the frame below the sheet metal, try to tie into at least 4 of the cross beam pieces,

since it will be a car seat you may need to raise the seat a foot or more, this means you can use angle or square tube pieces piled upon each other like Lincoln logs to raise the seat,if you need to go more than a few inches up then tie into as many frame pieces as possible,

[Jessiekij]

thank you! I'll give it a try, gotta see what the undercarriage is like - it used to be a hydraulic pressurized seat, so that'll be interesting under the floor.