I had posted on this previously, but cannot find the thread in the archives. It appears RV.net doesn't return results between a year old and 2013... D'oh!
So... Way back a few years ago I purchased a swivel seat base for our Sunseeker.
It was workable, but just barely. Swiveling meant opening the door, and in the rearward facing position, the armrest was crammed against the door armrest.
Not a good setup.
I reworked both the swivel and base:
and have a decently working setup. However, there was one annoyance that needed fixing - the seat was 1 3/4 inches higher than before, due to the thickness of the swivel plate.
To that end, I rebuilt the base by taking, you guessed it, 1 and 3/4 inches out of the height.
Here's the results:
with the swivel plate mounted:
I need to fill the holes that I used to clamp the upper and lower halves together for welding, and will probably use small carriage bolts. They are no longer needed, but would further enhance the strength of the base. My friend says I need to install Chroooome (Bop Bop DeBop Bop) bolts...
and for comparison, here's the driver's seat base:
I'll install the setup this afternoon, and all should be well. My lovely bride at 5'4" and our friend (who is about the same height) should be able to put their feet flat on the floor, as they did before the swivel seat mod.
More pictures of Seating Mods including more pics of the swivel base.
So... Way back a few years ago I purchased a swivel seat base for our Sunseeker.
It was workable, but just barely. Swiveling meant opening the door, and in the rearward facing position, the armrest was crammed against the door armrest.
Not a good setup.
I reworked both the swivel and base:
and have a decently working setup. However, there was one annoyance that needed fixing - the seat was 1 3/4 inches higher than before, due to the thickness of the swivel plate.
To that end, I rebuilt the base by taking, you guessed it, 1 and 3/4 inches out of the height.
Here's the results:
with the swivel plate mounted:
I need to fill the holes that I used to clamp the upper and lower halves together for welding, and will probably use small carriage bolts. They are no longer needed, but would further enhance the strength of the base. My friend says I need to install Chroooome (Bop Bop DeBop Bop) bolts...
and for comparison, here's the driver's seat base:
I'll install the setup this afternoon, and all should be well. My lovely bride at 5'4" and our friend (who is about the same height) should be able to put their feet flat on the floor, as they did before the swivel seat mod.
More pictures of Seating Mods including more pics of the swivel base.
Update:
Swivel seat mods continue!
On our Crater Lake trip, my wife noted the height was perfect, but noticed the seat would swing a bit side to side as I took various corners. Upon checking the slop of the latch at the back/top of the seat, I found it was moving almost an inch. Well, that'll never do...
Back in the shop to dust off my brazing skills...
Original latch:
Old latch removed, new latch fabricated:
Refined, set in place:
Full block rather than just a 5/16" wire:
Initial mounting & testing with spring:
Painted, mounted:
Fully latched:
Unlatched:
Now there's only a tiny bit of slop, and that's normal due to the additional moving parts in the swivel...
Now she'll be happy!!!!
Swivel seat mods continue!
On our Crater Lake trip, my wife noted the height was perfect, but noticed the seat would swing a bit side to side as I took various corners. Upon checking the slop of the latch at the back/top of the seat, I found it was moving almost an inch. Well, that'll never do...
Back in the shop to dust off my brazing skills...
Original latch:
Old latch removed, new latch fabricated:
Refined, set in place:
Full block rather than just a 5/16" wire:
Initial mounting & testing with spring:
Painted, mounted:
Fully latched:
Unlatched:
Now there's only a tiny bit of slop, and that's normal due to the additional moving parts in the swivel...
Now she'll be happy!!!!
Final results:
I painted the base again, this time in place after installation as GM's studs are white, and stand out in contrast to the black base:
In the normal travel position, the seat is now the correct height, but is shifted toward the center by an inch:
The only detriment to dropping the base is when the seat is facing the rear - it is now 1 3/4 inches lower.
But I like it. When we have a crowd, that tends to be my place to get out of the way. I prefer setting there anyway, so it has become "my spot"!
I painted the base again, this time in place after installation as GM's studs are white, and stand out in contrast to the black base:
In the normal travel position, the seat is now the correct height, but is shifted toward the center by an inch:
The only detriment to dropping the base is when the seat is facing the rear - it is now 1 3/4 inches lower.
But I like it. When we have a crowd, that tends to be my place to get out of the way. I prefer setting there anyway, so it has become "my spot"!
