When you buy a used vehicle there are always little things that need to be fixed. I had new shocks installed and complete wheel balancing on all four tires. I’m going to have the brakes and rotors replaced in the near future, and if you’ve ever dealt with an engine emissions light, you know how that can ruin your day. Small repairs don’t seem like much but they add up to significant money when you are budgeting to save for another expedition. The most important thing though, is to have the van mechanically sound before I take on the Rocky Mountains next spring.
The van came with swivel, captain’s chairs in the middle, designed to face the back seat for important conference meetings and socializing. What I really wanted was for the front passenger seat to swivel, serving a dual purpose of passenger and living room seating. It seemed like such a waste to throw away a swivel seat, but modifying and installing it in the front seemed like too big of a project. When I crawled underneath, I couldn’t even find the bolts where they came through the framework, and I was afraid that they would be rusted and impossible to remove.
As you can see from the pictures below: I did it! With a lot of drilling and rebolting, I now have my passenger/living room, easy chair. I had to remove the seat belt assembly from the front seat and install it to the swivel seat, buy longer bolts where they went through the frame, but it went well and I’m confident that it is safe.
Looks good! I’m betting you will be much more comfortable this time around. Last winter was a good learning experience about what works and what doesn’t.
What are your plans for this winter? Are you going to come stay warm again in AZ?
That looks very comfortable. I can’t remember… did you buy that chair from Ikea? I bet this one beats it hands down. But you’ll have to put a curtain around it if you want to relax and watch videos in the evening in your underwear, won’t you?
Hey now Donna. That’s TMI… 😉
I’m looking forward to sitting in that chair, both facing forward driving down the road, and swiveled around to socialize and have important meetings.
Anything new happening with your ride, or anything else?
By the way, I have ridden in the swivel chair, and even sat in it swiveled around. It is all that it was made out to be!
Nothing new happen to you since August 13?
Yoo hoo!! Anyone home??
What’s going on in Buffalo?
I’m gonna have to stop checking in here. I’m always a little disappointed.