On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 11:38:53 -0700, Sean Garrett <sean.garrett@asu.edu> wrote:
>
> I have a 1987 standard Passenger van that I have jumpseats for. A
> salvage yard pulled out the weekender interior for me, so I did not get
> a good look at its installation.
>
> What is involved in putting these in (pedestal work) ?
>
> 1. do I have to drill holes for the the jumpseat bracket(s) into the
> front seat pedestal(s) ?
> 2. if so then how do I line up (center it) the bracket to the pedestal
> (attach jumpseat to bracket 1st) ?
> 3. any other advice please welcome, however I do know that the bottom
> pegs of the seat will need a "pipe" like piece to put it in.
>
> Any pics out there would be great.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Sean Garrett

Sean,

The jumpseat brackets are installed with steel reinforcement behind
the seat boxes. Most of the add-on installations I have seen as well
as the one I put in used large heavy washers on the backside of each
bolt. Best way to determine where to drill the holes is by keeping it
attached to the brackets and marking the hole placements. The seatbelt
brackets attach onto the same place as the front seat passenger belts.

As for the bottom mount, it can be purchased from VW, cut out of the
donor van, or made from a plate with a short pipe welded on it. An in
an obvious disregard for people's safety, SOME people, will tell you
to put a hole on the wood floor or the carpet for the jumpseat studs
to sit in. There is a reason why that piece is WELDED to the floor.
Without that mount, you place your passenger's safety only on the rear
latch alone. I highly doubt that any PLYWOOD Westy floor or CARPET is
designed to withstand the kind of forces expected in even a mild
collision.

Pmail, shleemail. This is a SAFETY issue and should be kept in open
discussion. What are you afraid of Mr. Pmail? I wouldn't want my kids
riding in a seat held by single stud/latch an WOOD or CARPET!?!  :<)
Look at that seat latch and tell me you would trust anybody's life or
limb on it alone.

BenT