Rear Seat modification Def 130 2003

[rover]

Currently seeking assistance in relation to retrofitting later model rear bench seating with head rests to Defender 130 2003 Model. My wife has advised me that bench seats without headrests are illegal for the children. Currently all in safety seats, but soon will be able sit on the rear seats.

Interested know if possible to add headrests, purchase after market adaption or retrofit 110 rear seats.

Assistance greatly appreciated.:angel:

Regards

Rover

[BigBlackDog]

Do you know what the source of that rule is? Be interested to see what it says and whether its state or national rule.

[slug_burner]

http://www.exmoortrim.co.uk/catalogue/browse/32-second-row.html'sef=hc

Exmoor trim do all sorts of seats for defenders but you have to get the stuff sent over or go through an agent locally, and they will not do it cheap either.

Otherwise you are going to be looking for a second hand set from the wreckers.

[VladTepes]

I see the Puma front seats have much higher headrests than my 94 300Tdi. Being tall I prefer the Puma ones - are there similar after market items and what sort of $ are they landed here?

[akelly]

Hi Rover,

it seems quite an odd rule - that would eliminate almost every car built before 2000 from carrying kids!

Anyway, not sure where you are located but there are companies around that will modify your seat, or engineer a replacement one. I saw some pics once of a VW van bench seat in the rear of a Def130, that looked like a nice comfy mod! I can't find them again now though, sorry.

If you are in Sydney, I've had a quote from these guys to modify my rear seat to take child restraints, they could probably help: Karlisle's (http://www.karlisles.com.au/)

Cheers,

Adam

[SimonM]

How many kids? I was looking at the possibility of having two single seats in the back, freeing up the middle for storage eg kids stuff ;).

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Given that the rear seats are fixed to the rear wall of the cab, there is no reason that you couldn't fit fixed head-rests above the three seating positions.

Your local motor trimmer could make some up to match the current trim, otherwise, go to your local pick and pay-less wrecker and see if you can find suitable items.

You could always use the Exmoor front head rests and modify the mounts for them!

http://www.exmoortrim.co.uk/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/90_110_Front_Out_4c59948c734e6_150x224.jpg

Diana

[VladTepes]

Given that the rear seats are fixed to the rear wall of the cab,

No they aren't.

Well, not really. there are two small brackets put in place for Australian compliance which stop the upper portion of teh seat tilting forwards, but that bracket is easily removed to allow folding of seat etc.


Ploppy - I am considering the same thing.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Vlad

Yes I know the brackets and am looking at options for replacing them with some sort of catch.

However what I'm suggesting is that the head rests actually get fitted to the rear wall in front of the rear windows. After all the reason for the head rests is not to actually rest the head but to prevent the hyper-extension mechanism (whiplash) in a rear end or frontal crash.

The seats could then still be made to fold forward but leaving the rests on the rear wall.

Diana

BTW: Don't remove the brackets without replacing them with some alternative mechanims to prevent the seat folding forward in a crash. Ths tilting forward can result in other severe injuries, than just the flexion-extension injuries of the neck.

[gromit]

Currently seeking assistance in relation to retrofitting later model rear bench seating with head rests to Defender 130 2003 Model. My wife has advised me that bench seats without headrests are illegal for the children. Currently all in safety seats, but soon will be able sit on the rear seats.

Interested know if possible to add headrests, purchase after market adaption or retrofit 110 rear seats.

Assistance greatly appreciated.:angel:

Regards

Rover

I'm not sure where you're located but here are the VIC rules.

Frequently asked questions : VicRoads (http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/SafetyAndRules/SaferVehicles/ChildRestraints/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.htm)

Nothing about headrests that I can see but may be different in each State.


Colin

[rick130]

[snip]

BTW: Don't remove the brackets without replacing them with some alternative mechanims to prevent the seat folding forward in a crash. Ths tilting forward can result in other severe injuries, than just the flexion-extension injuries of the neck.

Umm, excuse my ignorance, but wouldn't a seat belt stop that happening ?

A number of two door cars from years ago had no catch at all in the mechanism ?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Unfortunately I am wrong. ADR 22 (22.1.1) Specifies Head Restraint - A device either mounted on or integral with the seat back. Its function is to minimize rearward movement of the head.

However even in the Third Edition of the ADR 22/00 only required head restraints to be fitted to the front outboard seating positions.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Umm, excuse my ignorance, but wouldn't a seat belt stop that happening ?

A number of two door cars from years ago had no catch at all in the mechanism ?Not my call, that is something for the legislators and engineers to decide.

All I know is that under ADR 3
<snip>
3.2.3.0. Except far a `Seat' having a back that is adjustable only for the comfort of its occupants hinged or folding `Seats' or 'Seat' backs shall be equipped with a self-locking device for restraining the hinged or folding `Seat' or 'Seat' back and a release control for releasing that restraining device to preclude the possibility of impact forces acting on unrestrained hinged or folding 'Seats' or 'Seat' backs.

You will also find that the cars like the mini - which didn't have catches would have been manufactured prior to January 1977.

[rover]

Guys

Thanks very much for all the suggestions. Will visit Trimmer and see if we can install headrests permanently to the rear bulkhead, still allowing seat st to fold forward. I modified the existing brackets and secured with removable bolt.

Regards:)

Rover