double cab rear seats fixed?

[wannabeexplorer]

I noticed that the rear seat backrests are bolted to the cab; but not sure what the reason is for that?
Is that an Aussie compliance thing or is it the same in the UK?

Are seats not 'strong' enough and requires the extra support in case of a head on collusion?
It just seems a waste since there's some space that may be utilised, but not feasible if you have to unbolt the backrests to access it every time...

[Chops]

I've unbolted mine so I could access the rear wall. I won't be replacing the bolts, as the seats will be coming out anyway.
With the bolts removed, it also allows the seat back to move slightly, which makes it just a touch more comfy for the passengers,, (it allows a bit of flex).

Chops

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I've thought about this many times before. The UK cars are the same.

You need to bolt them in, especially of people sit in the rear seats, just in case you have an accident. Maybe im a bit paranoid having 'been there, done that'...

J

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[Josh_WA]

Yeah uk cars are the same. I just took the whole lot out as it fits the golf clubs and fridge in a lot better now :)

[Grappler]

Its really tempting to pull the rear seats out and use the space as storage. But if you have passengers in the seats, they need to be bolted in as per original.

You will probably not be surprised to know the dual cab rear seats are not rated for child restraints and dont have restraint mounting points. Its got to do with being commercial Im told. The information regarding child restraints in the Owners Handbook is not correct for a dual cab. (There is a caution, however, in the hanbook indicating the information was only correct at time of printing)!

[Jojo]

How old is your truck? Maybe there were some different versions? On mine, the fixed fittings are replaced with some loops of steel wire that can easily be manipulated over a strong bolt attached to the backrest, so it is easy to fold the backrest and even the cushion forward. It has never been pointed out during any of the annual roadworthiness inspections that this arrangement would be illegal.

[wannabeexplorer]

How old is your truck? Maybe there were some different versions? On mine, the fixed fittings are replaced with some loops of steel wire that can easily be manipulated over a strong bolt attached to the backrest, so it is easy to fold the backrest and even the cushion forward. It has never been pointed out during any of the annual roadworthiness inspections that this arrangement would be illegal.

new one - 2012. Would be interesting to see what you've done with the steel wire loops

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I've been thinking of modifying the seats with either the catch mechanism from an RRc or just a post on the seat which fits into a slot made in the current bracket and an over centre catch fastened to the bracket which has a wire loop that holds the end of the post on the seat.

How are the 60/40 seats on the 110 wagon fastened?

[87County]

I've been thinking of modifying the seats with either the catch mechanism from an RRc or just a post on the seat which fits into a slot made in the current bracket and an over centre catch fastened to the bracket which has a wire loop that holds the end of the post on the seat.

How are the 60/40 seats on the 110 wagon fastened?

only latches either side of each section at the rear top, each side can be folded or removed independently of the other

no fixings at the split

[Lotz-A-Landies]

only latches either side of each section at the rear top, each side can be folded or removed independently of the other

no fixings at the splitIn which case modifying the catches from the 110 should be possible.

I can just see it now, every D/C Defender owner on AuLRO is now running out to their local Land Rover wrecker to acquire the seat catches from all the available 110's! :o

[Chops]

Why do you need to have latches at the top of the back seats. Their free standing and just click into place as do most rear seats with nothing behind them.
I wont be organizing anything to latch up mine.

[87County]

In which case modifying the catches from the 110 should be possible.

I can just see it now, every D/C Defender owner on AuLRO is now running out to their local Land Rover wrecker to acquire the seat catches from all the available 110's! :o

The latches are fixed in brackets on the vehicle - I think it would be quite a job to adapt them to a 130 - but nothing is impossible

Probably taking a look at them would be better than trying to explain it...:)

[87County]

Why do you need to have latches at the top of the back seats. Their free standing and just click into place as do most rear seats with nothing behind them.
I wont be organizing anything to latch up mine.


If you used a 110 or county seat I think it would just flop forward without the catches/latches - it would be interesting to see how they did those 110" Bicentennial dual cab urea.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Why do you need to have latches at the top of the back seats. <snip> ...Because with the ADR current at the date of the 130 build, the backs of seats must be latched to prevent them collapsing or tilting forward in the event of a crash.

I took a look at the catches on a Disco 1 this afternoon as I picked up my D4 from service and I'm pretty sure they could be adapted to fit the Defender.

Some years ago I retrofitted the 60/40 seats from a late RRc to my single rear seat '85 RRc and all I needed to do was a few Rivnuts/Nutserts, the Defender will be a little more bracket work that's all. In fact my mechanic is now removing the brackets from a wreck he's dismantling ATM.

[wannabeexplorer]

hey guys, so the rear seats on the crew/double-cad has a leaver to allow the backrests to fall forward; it also has another pull strap / latch to lift the seats and lilt them forward once the backrests are folded down. (that would be from the 110 wagon to make for more 'boot space').
BUT, in the 110 double cab, the rear seat backrests are bolted to the tub, so they can't fold (it all works if you take the bolts out).

I've also added some pics hoping it'll explain more... (sorry I just took these, lilt your head left)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/DCrearseat1.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/DCrearseat.JPG

[cal415]

I do see why it should be any differenct to a 110? they use the same seats with latches etc already.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

On Dual Cab I have that came off a 1996 130 the rear seat backs are fixed, making it very difficult to get anything out of the toolbox underneath.

Are people suggesting that on some models of the 130 D/C the rear seats fold?

"wannabeexplorer" is there any chance that you can take a few piccys of the floor panels in the "C" pillar area up as far as the window panel of your 110 dual cab?

[muddys1]

i have a double cab and have looked at this issue, i was thinking that they are bolted at the back due to the lack of space and not sitting at the same angle as a 110 wagon which has no bulkhead behind the seats.
I have had a child restraint fitted to the left hand side and dont think i would remove the seat mounts, my cargo that sits there is pretty important to me and i like the thought of security.

muddy

[wannabeexplorer]

"wannabeexplorer" is there any chance that you can take a few piccys of the floor panels in the "C" pillar area up as far as the window panel of your 110 dual cab?

I hope the angle works (I assumed you wanted the inside)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/1.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/2.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/3.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/4.JPG

Close-up of the seat bolted to the top
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/5.JPG

I'd be nice to replace the plate with another latch mechanism - best of both worlds

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks for those.

The bracket on your seat is cranked up from lower down on the body. On my D/C it comes out horizontal from the body but yours is a stronger fitting/mounting than mine.

The seat belt anchorage in the "C" pillar is different to earlier 110 wagons where it is in the floor.

Am going out to the 6X6 project today so can likely take some images of the fitting. (the seats are removed however)

[wannabeexplorer]

I had a look at a 110 wagon on the dealer's floor and the middle row seats looks to be exactly the same as the ones in the DC with the same mechanisms to fold down and flip forward, but aren't anchored at the top
Apart from the middle headrest which has a lower profile in the wagon (obviously not part of the seat construction) I can't see a difference, but that's not to say they're not different under the cloth...

(The guys at the dealership couldn't answer the question, and we already know it's not ADR related since the guys in the UK reported theirs are bolted at the top too)

My plan is to remove that bracket / plate which fixes it in place, but leave a bolt in the backrest, then have a latch which 'lathces' to the bolt something like this (just a random pic for illustration)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8228332/latch.jpg

[roverrescue]

Thread drag!
I have recently picked up a 2010 tdci 130 Dual Cab
It has a Qld Transport Blue Mod Plate in the rear seating with the only information being
Seat Modification - Seat capacity 5

So essentially previous owner went to the trouble of getting some modification ratified.
Obviously its not the number of seats.

This 130 has tilt and folding rear seats by lifting a lever then pulling a loop - ala 110.
The hard bolted plates are still in place just the bolts are missing.

My first thought was old mate put 110 rear seats in place but comparing to the base mounts of a 110 these look to be 130 specific. And it still has the hard mount plates in.

Wannabeexplorer mentions:

"hey guys, so the rear seats on the crew/double-cad has a leaver to allow the backrests to fall forward; it also has another pull strap / latch to lift the seats and lilt them forward once the backrests are folded down. (that would be from the 110 wagon to make for more 'boot space').
BUT, in the 110 double cab, the rear seat backrests are bolted to the tub, so they can't fold (it all works if you take the bolts out)."

SO my question is - do standard 130 seats have the levers and hinges and just missing the latching instead being hard bolted? Im guessing so.

If so then my mod plate will be for keeping the seats but the removal of the hard bolting and installation of some latching. Possible 110 wagon possibly custom.
I can take some images if necessary.

But the question is on a standard 130 dual cab do the seats have levers and hinges and are just missing latches on the cab to engage on? instead being hard bolted?

Steve

[manofaus]

My 130 their is a metal strap which bolts to the side the seat. Currently their are no bolts and this allows the backs to fold down and then the whole seat folds forward. Its a 60/40 split seat. I then can access the panel on top of the seat box which has clips to hold it in place. This is where the compressor, jumper leads and ties hide. Its a 2000. Cant say if this is stock or not. I too have a mod plate but i suspect its for the child restraint which is bolted to the black angle stays.

[Tassie Bob]

When our 130 arrived last year, the back seats were bolted. I took the bolts out to fit some Dingo seat covers, intending to put the bolts back in, but found that they then operated normally with the lever. So I have left the bolts out. Any passenger will be restrained by the seat belts, not the bolts.