Thread: 5 versus 7 seater (and rear seat removal)

I have a 7 seater. The back seats were pulled out a few months after I bought it. I have them stored in the spare room. I left the seat belts in place as they dont get in the way and I didnt feel like pulling the interior trim out to get to the bolts.
The seats come out with just 4 nuts on each one. The headrests have 3 bolts/nuts each. The Rave disc will show the proper procedure for removal. Its available in the shop link at the top of the page.

Thomas

i pulled the rear out of mine took all of 20mins. I left the seat belts and head rests in as they dont harm anyone and in QLD its the only legal way really to do it as you need to be able to show they are temporarily removed for it to remain RWC. Also when you go for a 7 seater more likely you'll get the rear air which is excellent, and SLS if your that way inclined. The storage bins can be tricky to get, but if you get one with rear air you will only need the drivers side one

Thanks for the quick response... sounds like an easy job to rip them out which opens up a much larger choice of cars. Cheers!

Originally Posted by Yurredla

Hi all,
Just looking at late model D2's. Ideally I'd prefer a 5 seater, but wondering whether many of you have removed the 2 rear seats in the 7 seaters??

I presume there's a bit of messing about with seatbelts headrests etc. so wondered whether I'm better confining my search to 5 seaters... would def prefer to have the extra space than seating capacity.

Any comments/experiences appreciated. cheers.

The D2a (2003-2004) 7 seater has SLS as standard, which most love / some have hassles with. Do a search on SLS here and decide for yourself.
I have converted mine to a 5 seater, and restored the storage bins. It's a bit involved as you have the option to change some of the rear trim to accomodate these very useful bins. Headrest removal leaves holes that a different trim panel will cover. These bits can be sourced new (Expensive) or from wreckers.

Just in case some of the posters are still around... (came up on a google search.. was looking at seat covers lol but this caught my eye)

Did you have an issue in your state with RWC converting from 7 to 5? I could imagine the 5 to 7 conversion would raise eyebrows without proper certification/inspection but I am suprised if a 7 to 5 would upset anyone due to you not interfering with any structure of the car, not drilling new holes for attachments, nothing that could compromise body integrity

Originally Posted by 1976_michelle

Just in case some of the posters are still around... (came up on a google search.. was looking at seat covers lol but this caught my eye)

Did you have an issue in your state with RWC converting from 7 to 5? I could imagine the 5 to 7 conversion would raise eyebrows without proper certification/inspection but I am suprised if a 7 to 5 would upset anyone due to you not interfering with any structure of the car, not drilling new holes for attachments, nothing that could compromise body integrity

Any permanent seating mods need to be engineered in QLD. The simple solution is (as stated) to leave the seat belts in position. The change to the seating configuration is then considered temporary and does not require a mod plate.

HTH

really only need a seven seater for the SLS,,
Most of the time it runs around as a 3 seater--

Originally Posted by pop058

Any permanent seating mods need to be engineered in QLD. The simple solution is (as stated) to leave the seat belts in position. The change to the seating configuration is then considered temporary and does not require a mod plate.

HTH

If you do remove them permanently it is not a big hassle to get through QT, you just need to find a local "QT approved person", remove all seat associated parts and get a mod plate from 7 to 5 seater.

The only trim left on mine that visibly shows from the 7 seat is the seatbelt holes in D pillar trim.