1961 to 1967 Econoline Window Van Back Seat & Front Seat Mods

Aloha!

Please, forgive me if this is a redundant thread. I did a quick search, but didn't find anything.

Has anyone ever installed a back seat in a 1961 to 1967 window van? If so, what did you use a donor?

And, does anyone have a working mod for front sport seats?

Thanks...

Aloha bradda, if you type in seats in the search tab you will see many threads on this very subject. Many have used Miata or Firero seats for the front because they are not too wide. If the seats are more than 19" wide, they tend to interfere with the doghouse. You can try to find original rear seats or front seats also. Many have used rear seats from Aerostar vans or other vans with folding seats so they can be used for sleeping. You just have to figure out how to attach them or read some of the threads to see how others have done it

Aloha!

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I read the thread about the Miata seats, and whatnot, but there isn't a lot of detail; e.g., pics, specific measurements, etc. And, I couldn't find anything about a back seat at all. In fact, I didn't think the E100's came with back seats originally. There are no mounting points in this van anyway. I couldn't find any specifics on what back seats people have used as a donor either. ...Or measurements, or pics, or even a procedure. The bit about the 19" W front seats is very helpful though. But, any further assistance would be greatly appreciated as well. Either way, I'm off to the junkyard now to take some measurements from potential donors for the back seat. Having said all that, I've been thinking about using the Procar Pro-90: http://procarbyscat.com/seats/Pro-90-Lowback or the Procar the Classic Lowback: http://procarbyscat.com/seats/Classic-Lowback What do ya'll think?

Thanks again...

The Club Wagons and Falcon Window versions were the passenger versions of the E100's and came with back seats. Here's a pic of what an original set look like reupholstered;



Originals with mounting brackets;


A Chevy owner on this site used a VW Vanagon seat in the rear;



I believe this was a rear seat either from Late Model Aerostar or a Dodge Caravan;


Another link to a site that sells Smittybuilt seats that some have used;
https://www.quadratec.com/categories/jeep_interior/seats?kw=seats

Check out Ford Aerostar bench seats.  They are dirt cheap, pretty comfy and fold down flat.  One bench seats two and the other three. Pretty sure they have built in seat belts too. Haven't installed mine yet but will take a little bit of fab work for the mounting brackets as they are originally a latching design with a recessed pocket in the floor.  I'm going to weld on some mounting plates and bolt to the floor with a backing plate underneath to spread the load.

One more thing to consider on the front seats is the height of the seat cushion. If the cushion is too thick, the steering wheel will hit your legs. FWIW.
Jim

Ugh! The junkyards here are so limited. I couldn't find anything worth using as a donor; no Aerostars, Astro vans, Saharas, etc. I think a Previa 2nd row seat would work great as well, but I couldn't find any of those either. Which is weird, considering we have a Japanese dominated market here, and there is a small cult following for 1st and 2nd gen. Toyota vans. There weren't even any modern vans with bench seats. And, in all the modern vehicles with 3rd row seating, the 3rd row seat is usually molded to fit the vehicle. I guess that's the price we pay for living on a rock in the middle of the Pacific.

Regardless, thanks everyone for the responses.

Vanny, that's perfect. That's exactly what I'm looking for. I saw one picture of the Falcon window version in google images, but there wasn't a lot of detail. So, I kind of thought it was just what someone named their project, not an actual version of the E100. The one I'm building is a Super Van. In fact, is that original blue seat with brackets yours? And, if so, are you willing to sell it?

Hip E Van, the Previa 2nd row bench seat is removable as well, but the striker brackets for the seat floor latches are surface mount. So, no welding required, drill only. And, it has the seat belts built in as well. The styling is on point too; meaning, it looks very similar to original. But, despite throwing 2 away in the past year or so, I can't find one of them on the island anywhere...other than my personal vehicles. I was able to find a modern 3rd row seat from an Econoline on eBay though that I think might work. But, that's a lot of money in shipping, never mind the cost of the original part, to spend on a guess.

Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-15-Ford-Econoline-XLT-Van-3rd-Row-4th-Row-Gray-Cloth-Bench-Seat-/382238128897?hash=item58ff2afb01:g:x-kAAOSwdPBZzQuF&vxp=mtr

I saw the link to the Smittybilt seats as well. But, the seats I've seen before in person that were made by Smittybilt look and feel cheap. I'd really like to see the Procar and Smittybilt seats side-by-side before purchase. The Procar's Scat seats are really popular with the VW bug/bus crowd, but they tend to look a little cheap as well. You know, kind of like a late 60's/early 70's quality materials that looks like it will quickly crack after being left out in the sun for a little while.

And, Jim, appreciate the input. I was noticing that today while taking measurements. I could see where the cushion has a different shape and size when someone actually sits on it. So, I took that into consideration when taking measurements as well. The Procar site does a good job at helping the consumer visualize the dimensions as well http://procarbyscat.com/seats/Classic-Lowback, but I don't see any measurements on the Smittybilt site at all. http://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/205.htm

Anyway, keep 'em comin' guys. Your input is greatly appreciated!

Aloha!

MJ, sorry, the seats aren't mine. Just posted a few pics to give you examples of whats out there for seating for these vans. Also , I couldn't find the pic, but someone used a rear seat out of a 60's t-bird in their econoline and it looked custom contoured but he said it fit almost perfect without serious modifications

for rear seats, check suv's too. I have a caravan seat now but have a dodge Durango seat I plan to install in its place. I used brass door hinges (house doors) that I bolted to the floor and then bolted seat to the hinges. four bolts remove the seat and the hinges fold flat.