In a message dated 5/28/2003 12:22:41 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
dlu@CANISHE.COM writes:

>
> We're sadly thinking that our '83 Vanagon has reached the end of its
> useful life, and we're looking for a "new" one.  Trouble is we really
> like the forward facing middle seats, but they're not so common in the
> later years.
>
> Does anybody know how hard it is to add them to a Carat or Wolfsburg
> with the rear facing middle seats?  I know we'd block the table from
> opening, and that's OK.
>
> Also, I've seen two Vanagons with a three across middle seat.  It
> looks like the passenger side seat hinges forward to allow access to
> the back seats.  Was this an option?  Any idea what years?

Doug,

Adding the 2-person middle bench can be done by installing tracks in the
floor from the a donor van. The holes are predrilled and threaded under your
carpets. I'm going backwards (no pun intended) from what you are doing. I am
putting the rear facing Carat seats in my 7-passenger van.

As for the 3-person middle bench, they were a pretty rare option in North
American vans. They are used in 9-passenger vans and are usually upholstered in
the early vinyl. It is possible to modify a rear bench for use in this position
as long as it is not the type that folds into a bed.

BenT
 <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myhomepage/">Vanagon Cafe</A>