Taking rear seats out.

[Aaron]

I took my rear seats out (110) to install a fire extinguisher and I quite like them out, there isnt enough room in there for anyone, apart from Daryl Summers anyways. Is it legal?

[JDNSW]

Rear seats in the 110 have always been readily removable, but I have heard that some states, including Queensland, have prosecuted or threatened to prosecute owners for doing this without getting an engineer's approval each time a seat is removed or refitted (which is ridiculous), although it may have been only when they had stopped a car and were looking for something to get them on. So I would check with the local authorities.

John

[isuzurover]

Rear seats in the 110 have always been readily removable, but I have heard that some states, including Queensland, have prosecuted or threatened to prosecute owners for doing this without getting an engineer's approval each time a seat is removed or refitted (which is ridiculous), although it may have been only when they had stopped a car and were looking for something to get them on. So I would check with the local authorities.

John

Not quite. In QLD you only need a mod plate (NO engineers involved) if you intend to PERMANENTLY remove seats and belts from a vehicle.

Rules are pretty much the same in all states, and will be 100% the same once the NCOP comes into effect.

Plenty of info here:
Removal of Seats (http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au/seating.htm)

The following comment has been provided to Four Wheel Drive Victoria by Vic Roads.

This issue has been blown out of all proportion. There is no reason seats
that are designed to be removable cannot be removed. Doing this DOES NOT
alter the seating CAPACITY of the vehicle. Seating capacity is defined by
the Australian Design Rules as the maximum number of seating positions for
which the vehicle is DESIGNED - ie not the number of seats actually fitted
at any point in time.

By inter-government agreement vehicle standards are common throughout
Australia. This means that the above advice applies in all states and
territories.

See also the current advice from VicRoads, as published in the latest issue of Trackwatch.

SO - bottom line Aaron, is that if you NEVER intend to refit your seats. You should go to a nearby approved officer, and get a mod plate - for modified seating capacity. Maye sure you remove the belts as well and fit bolts or blanking plugs to the holes.

[Bigbjorn]

As we all know, vehicle standards, or the interpretation does differ from state to state.

I was told by Qld. Transport that as the compliance plate says the 110 is a motor Omnibus of xx seats then permanent removal of the seats would mean the vehicle is out of compliance and a modification plate from an approved person should be fitted. If you then wished to refit the seats then another plate would have to be fitted with the catch that any change in the relevant standards at the time of refitting would need to be observed. It is, however permitted to "temporarily" remove the seats. I have done so.

[isuzurover]

Here are the exact QLD rules, as given to police and vehicle inspectors:

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb41ef4f2593906/VSI_L_5.0_Permanent_and_temporary_removal_of_seats _from_light_motor_vehicles.pdf

[Scallops]

It's probably illegal to leave Darryl Summers in your Fender, mate, unless you leave some of the windows down and the temp. inside doesn't hit 40 degrees. :p

[Aaron]

Thank you guys.

I was looking at the brackets that the seats bolt onto, and I wanted to attach a high lift jack to them. Id say that constitutes permanent removal.

[Landy110]

It only constitutes permanent removal if you get caught a few times as who can say how long they have been out?

My understanding in NSW is that you can remove the seats but you must retain the seat belts as the vehicle must have a seat belt for all registered seating positions.

[cucinadio]

I took my rear seats out (110) to install a fire extinguisher and I quite like them out, there isnt enough room in there for anyone, apart from Daryl Summers anyways. Is it legal?


mate i went through this the other day and this was the result at least in qld that is

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/marketplace-alerts/50583-dicky-seats.html

hope it helps

cheers

[cucinadio]

Here are the exact QLD rules, as given to police and vehicle inspectors:

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb41ef4f2593906/VSI_L_5.0_Permanent_and_temporary_removal_of_seats _from_light_motor_vehicles.pdf


mmm that sheet is as vague as the answer i got from that approve such removal ;)

cheers

[Aaron]

It helps in a way.... Tells me there isnt an answer out there atm! The seats are staying out.

[easo]

I remove the rear left portion of my back seat to fit my fridge. However when I went for rego inspection the bloke asked me to re-fit the seat as it is regoed as a five seater. After rego was paid the fridge went back in.

On my recent trip I removed the whole theing and had the fridge and a Army trunk side by side.

Easo

[Aaron]

Ideally id like to fit an extended floor, and mount an air compressor/tank and a slimline water tank in the footwell.

Im going to keep checking on the regulations every so often to see if an answer comes up.

[p38arover]

I find both Vic Roads and QLD rules quite clear. One doesn't need an inspection and change of plate for temporary removal of the seats.

However, it all hinges on what is considered as removal for an indefinite time and that could be up to the judgment of the inspecting officer.

I fitted and removed my County's rear drawers as needed. I didn't leave them in. When fitted, the seat belts on the floor are removed. An inspector could claim that I do leave drawers in permanently. How would I prove otherwise?

[isuzurover]

I find both Vic Roads and QLD rules quite clear. One doesn't need an inspection and change of plate for temporary removal of the seats.

Thanks, I'm glad someone else said it. As clear as any regulation ever is.

As for proving temporary removal - maybe take a photo (with date stamp) every time you remove/refit them?

[cucinadio]

Thanks, I'm glad someone else said it. As clear as any regulation ever is.

As for proving temporary removal - maybe take a photo (with date stamp) every time you remove/refit them?

yhea a claytons photo :D

cheers