Swap driver's bucket seat for bench?

[Whywalk]

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!

 

[somewhereinusa]

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/swivel-pedestal-for-captains-chair/

 

[Whywalk]

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/swivel-pedestal-for-captains-chair/

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!

 

[Pete Bassline]

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?

 

[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.

 

[o1marc]

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.

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.

 

[me2someday]

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.

 

[Pete Bassline]

Yep they sure were. I just cut them down and drilled my new holes through. I'll weld the plate in place afterwards.

 

[Ciscokid-SKO]

I unbolted mine and screwed a desk chair from work right in its place. Comfortable and I like the pleather.

 

[Mr4btTahoe]

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.

 

[Ciscokid-SKO]

Nice work Mr4btTahoe !!

 

[Frochevy]

I like the passenger swivel seat. I need to do that in my bus after I remove the bus doors and the linkage!!

 

[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.

 

[Frochevy]

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.

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?

 

[Mr4btTahoe]

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?

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.