Rear Seating Re-arrangements on a D90

[MuzzyDelta90]

Currently, I have removed one of the rear seats on my Puma 90 and that has given me heaps of extra room in the back. I am a bit reluctant to remove the other rear seat as I occasionally carry a 3rd person in the back and although the miles of extra room that removing the seat would give me, I can no longer carry the 3rd person.

Is it feasible to remove that last seat and replace it with one of the older Series style bench seats that sit on the wheel well where the passenger looks inwards? I figure that it would give me quite a bit more room than the folding seat and still be able to carry a 3rd person when required.

Firstly, can you get this style of seat to fit a Puma, and secondly, what are the legal and warranty ramifications of a mod such as this. I gather that the passenger will need some sort of lap/sash style seat belt at the very least. Has anyone tried this in the back of a 90?
cheers
Andrew

[Tikka7mm08]

Not sure of the legal implications in OZ, but no worries in NZ as Defenders originally fitted with inward seats. Mine is a county station wagon (90) converted to side seats. 2 in there at present and 2 on the way - check out exmoor trimshop.

Load Area Seats

[nedflanders]

I recently imported a 90 XS TD5 2003 and it had no problems with approval. What might be the sticking point is mine was fitted as standard from the factory so it's registered as a 6 seater, to change the seating arrangements would have legal implications if that bothers you at all.

[Aedo]

On the other side of the coin I'm looking at getting a D90... but need the option of five seats. nedflanders does your car have inward facing rear seats from the factory?

If I could get three seats across the back it would be ideal (for little people only).

Thoughts?

[nedflanders]

On the other side of the coin I'm looking at getting a D90... but need the option of five seats. nedflanders does your car have inward facing rear seats from the factory?

If I could get three seats across the back it would be ideal (for little people only).

Thoughts?

Yep my rear seats were fitted at the factory, two separate inward facing rear seats each side, the only thing I've done is change the belts from lapbelts to inertia type lapbelts. My kids are old enough not to need child seats so not sure how you'd get on as I'm sure I read somewhere no childseat is manufactured or tested for side facing seats.

Can anyone tell me if the 90 TD5 was ever sold in Australia with factory fitted side facing seats and leather trim? if not then I must have a rare one

[frantic]

Yep my rear seats were fitted at the factory, two separate inward facing rear seats each side, the only thing I've done is change the belts from lapbelts to inertia type lapbelts. My kids are old enough not to need child seats so not sure how you'd get on as I'm sure I read somewhere no childseat is manufactured or tested for side facing seats.

Can anyone tell me if the 90 TD5 was ever sold in Australia with factory fitted side facing seats and leather trim? if not then I must have a rare one

Yes some where optioned as factory 6 seaters but AFAIK none had leather trim , they where either fabric or vinyl. So yours is a rare model for Oz.

[debruiser]

this may be just hearsay and possibly incorrect. BUT I heard that LR had to change to the forward facing seats for Aust because it was no longer legal to have the seats facing inwards.....

maybe some research on the dept transport would be good....

[Aedo]

this may be just hearsay and possibly incorrect. BUT I heard that LR had to change to the forward facing seats for Aust because it was no longer legal to have the seats facing inwards.....

maybe some research on the dept transport would be good....

I'm sure you are right there. Which means nedflanders truck, which bypassed that rule as its a personal import, is rare or even unique!

[nedflanders]

The wife says I'm unique, not sure it was a compliment though!

[debruiser]

The wife says I'm unique, not sure it was a compliment though!

haha