Yet Another Swivel Seat Question...

[2_Chihuahuas]

So I've had this fantasy that at some point, I'll be able to swap out the original driver seat in my van (2001 E350 XLT SuperDuty) for a power seat on a swivel -- is this something that is realistically possible, or should I just give up and settle for just a swivel seat?

I've seen powered swivel seat mounts offered on Shop4Seats.com, but they ain't cheap, so I've been hoping to be able to find a used power seat that can be mounted onto a swivel that will fit my van, but so far I haven't seen any that are compatible with E-series vans prior to 2002 on eBay, etc. I do see a ton of them from Ford F-series trucks, so I'm curious as to whether any of these could be adapted to fit into my E-350; I don't have welding skills, but I could certainly drill additional holes in the bases, if that's all that's needed.

I also haven't yet started searching any PAP/salvage yards, since I'm not sure what I should be looking for, at this point.

Can anyone please steer me in the right direction, or tell me I'm nuts and I should just forgeddaboudit? I would appreciate anyone's help with this!

 

[2_Chihuahuas]

Wow -- 110 views so far, and no responses? I really thought there'd be several folks on this forum who would know the answer to this question! ?

 

[Len.Barron]

I think pretty much everyone has conceded that if you want swivel you give up on power movement.

 

[CaulkinsCo.]

Amazon flat swivel base, says i it's not for automotive use but I installed it on the passenger seat to retain what I suppose is called the under seat glove box. From what I can tell it's stronger then the bolts going into the floor so I feel it's plenty safe. Probably gives an inch or so of seat lift.

On the driver's side I assume it would work there assuming you remove the steering wheel but probably not worth it.

 

[The Artisan]

So here is my take on it and I have worked on seats and done auto upholstery now for 18 yrs. Mount a power seat to a swivel base then base to the floor. Your power cord would have to have slack and the connector would need to swivel. Or you could use an accordion power cord.
This is just food for thought as it might get you thinking outside the box.
Kevin
Maybe have the base cut down to fit

Pedestal for RV Captain's Chair

Upgrade your captain's chair with the sturdy and stylish pedestal from RecPro. Made of solid metal, this welded frame features seat belt attachment ports and a rotation actuator.

www.recpro.com

 

[Corneilius]

Most seats have to be in the "Sweet spot" to swivel anyways, I would be super annoyed if I had to toggle the seat forward and tilt, then back and reclined at a power seat speed. I have mine swiveled, and adjusted in seconds.

 

[Raul]

My main concern with swivel bases is the protection in case of crash. The one from Recpro seems to be held in place by just one bolt where it swivels. I have a swivel base on the passenger side (not powered). The design I bought has an "interlocking" feature between the swivel part and the fixed part.
I'll not use a base that is intended for boat or that states not to use in cars. In case of a crash a want to be properly restrined.

Every time I have to mess with my seats, this picture from the 1988 Paris Dakar Rally haunts me. The co-pilot of a Daf truck got ejected still strapped to the seat.

 

[The Artisan]

My main concern with swivel bases is the protection in case of crash. The one from Recpro seems to be held in place by just one bolt where it swivels. I have a swivel base on the passenger side (not powered). The design I bought has an "interlocking" feature between the swivel part and the fixed part.
I'll not use a base that is intended for boat or that states not to use in cars. In case of a crash a want to be properly restrined.

Every time I have to mess with my seats, this picture from the 1988 Paris Dakar Rally haunts me. The co-pilot of a Daf truck got ejected still strapped to the seat.

View attachment 538151

Yeah just found that one he said cheap and they are intended for RV use. You get what you pay for. Personally I would get the best in this application as my life depends on it. Just like I tell people do not get knock off seats, steering wheels and tires.
Kevin

 

[CaulkinsCo.]

Valid points, on the other hand the seat belt should have been attached to the roll cage or at least the body. Not the seat.. I guess it was the 80s though so it kinda makes sense for back then.

 

[Len.Barron]

FWIW I bought a set of swivel bases from a roadtrek (my rig is a chevy) and they use a modified trailer wheel spindle for the swivel (then bore it out to allow the wires to pass through). it uses standard trailer axle beveled roller bearings and is probably the beefiest swivel base out there, you could duplicate that design pretty easily with parts from tractor supply.

 

[2_Chihuahuas]

Amazon flat swivel base, says i it's not for automotive use but I installed it on the passenger seat to retain what I suppose is called the under seat glove box. From what I can tell it's stronger then the bolts going into the floor so I feel it's plenty safe. Probably gives an inch or so of seat lift.

On the driver's side I assume it would work there assuming you remove the steering wheel but probably not worth it.

Yes, I've seen those on Amazon - a possibility if I give up on power seat. I'm "vertically-challenged", so having a power seat is really helpful.

 

[2_Chihuahuas]

So here is my take on it .... Mount a power seat to a swivel base then base to the floor. Your power cord would have to have slack and the connector would need to swivel. Or you could use an accordion power cord.
This is just food for thought as it might get you thinking outside the box.
Kevin
Maybe have the base cut down to fit

That's what I've been thinking of doing, so when searching for those parts, what has to fit with what? The swivel has to fit the van, I'd assume, and then any power seat that's compatible with that swivel? So might all those Ford F-series power seats be possible candidates?

 

[The Artisan]

That's what I've been thinking of doing, so when searching for those parts, what has to fit with what? The swivel has to fit the van, I'd assume, and then any power seat that's compatible with that swivel? So might all those Ford F-series power seats be possible candidates?

As long as there is enough steel to be able to drill holes to mount up you are good to go
Kevin

 

[5spd97]

I have a swivel passenger seat but have resisted adding a swivel to the driver side because it seems like the steering wheel would prevent it reclining enough to be comfortable. My van is on a cut-a-way chassis and the floor behind the seat is a couple of inches higher than the cab floor making it a bit of a knees up position when the seat is swiveled. Can anyone who has a swivel driver seat comment on the comfort when the seat is swiveled?

 

[shenrie]

Most seats have to be in the "Sweet spot" to swivel anyways, I would be super annoyed if I had to toggle the seat forward and tilt, then back and reclined at a power seat speed. I have mine swiveled, and adjusted in seconds.

^^^ this!

never used the ford power seats, but if they are as slow as every other vehicle I’ve sat in with power seats adjusting them to the sweetspot would definitely be annoying.

both mine swivel and it literally only takes a few seconds to have both of them turned around. member 1der is the only one I know that can get the direct bolt up ones for the eseries vans in any kind of decent timeframe. definitely worth the purchase. adds a bunch more usable space in these vans.

the bases themselves actually raise the seat up a couple of inches. not sure how much the power option takes the seats up, but to me it was the only downfall cause we like sitting lower in the van.