Budd, thanks for this post. It will help those who might be thinking of
making the purchase of jump seats.

-Dana-

Budd Premack wrote:
>
> Last summer I installed jump seats into my 86 Syncro.  The following tips
> should be helpful.
>
> When you do the jump seat install, first place ALL components together in
> the van for rough location measurements.   Next, drill holes and bolt the
> bracket to the battery box, being sure to use a flat steel plate inside the
> battery box for reinforcement.  Then temporarily insert the seat so that the
> spring loaded pin is secure in the catch of the battery box bracket.  Next,
> place the interior floor brackets (with protruding pipes) on the floor with
> the seat in its intended position (cushion flipped up is easiest for
> measuring) with the leg pegs inserted into the unfastened floor brackets.
> This allows accurate measuring of the floor bracket location, since it is
> not quite as critical a fit as is the spring pin/battery box bracket.
>
> If you permanently mount the floor brackets first, you run a distinct risk
> of being ever so slightly off in the measurement for the battery box
> bracket, which results in the spring pin not fitting easily into the battery
> box bracket. (BTDT!)
>
> This technique should be followed regardless of the type of mounting (bolts
> or welding) used on the floor brackets.
>
> For those of you (like me) who obtained a used set of belts minus the floor
> brackets, don't despair.  You can easily fashion them by using flat steel of
> appropriate size, unto which you (or a shop) have welded a short length
> (3/4" or 2 cm) of steel piping that will fit around the pegs on the seat
> legs.  Since the floor of our vans is not flat, be sure your steel plates
> are properly shaped, as a simple rectangle will not quite fit.
>
> A note about seat belts.  It is not necessary to use the OE belts.  You can
> use any standard lapbelt, as it bolts into the existing hardware.  The OE
> belts mount exactly the same as a belt available from your FLAPS.  The belt
> for the outer side of each jump seat bolts into the outer L shaped (*) part
> of the battery box bracket.  The inner belt for each side shares its
> mounting bolt with the existing front seat inner belts.  The only advantage
> of the OE belts is that the outer belt has an automatic reel for tension and
> the inner belt is very stiff so that it doesn't get in the way of the center
> passageway.  These are nice benefits, but hardly worth the dealer price for
> me.
>
> (*) Note:  If you don't have the L shaped part, it can be easily fabricated
> out of a flat steel piece, by giving it a right angle bend and drilling
> holes for the bolts that secure it to the outer end of the battery box
> bracket, and a hole for the seat belt bolt. Remember to always use
> appropriate size and strength bolts for all of these connections.
>
> Since these seats are mounted backwards, the forces of a frontal collision
> push the passenger into the seatback.  Thus the need for a shoulder harness
> is reduced, IMHO.  Although I understand the desire to safeguard any
> precious cargo,  a discussion of shoulder belts is not covered here.
>
> This install can easily be done in a few hours by anyone who would even
> consider the attempt.  Careful measuring and a few tools are all that is
> required.  It is a wonderful convenience to be able to remove/install the
> seats in a matter of seconds without using any tools.  These jump seats
> really are a pleasure, especially if you have passengers who don't mind
> riding backwards.
>
> Budd Premack
> 86 Syncro, 73 Super
> Minneapolis, MN (Land of Sky-Blue Waters)