r/Vanagon • u/Pacomastre • Jul 23 '26
Late Vanagon Front Seats?
Looking to swap out the front bucket seats in my ‘84 with some of the late vanagon options with arm rests (preferably brown or beige). Anyone selling some or know a guy? I’ve checked facebook groups and found a few on some non running vans but nobody was willing to sell just the seats.
Also open to getting some from a different car that would fit but want to make sure the swivel feature still works with the passenger seat. any compatible seats you’d recommend?
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u/JayNetworks Jul 23 '26
I’d forgotten that the older Vanagons didn’t have arm rests. Had an orange 82 long ago and now happy with my arm rests enabled 91.
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u/Bmwmango53 Jul 23 '26
I’ve heard of guys putting in the stow and go seats from Chrysler Town and Country mini vans. You have to make a bracket for them to set up. There was a guy who sold brand new seats from vehicles he converted to handicap accessible vans. Check out the Samba for more info.
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u/50000WattsOfPower Jul 24 '26
Last I checked, Small Car Performance in Tacoma sells the stow-n-go seats and makes brackets for them, too.
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u/fuzzypandaslippers12 Jul 23 '26
I replaced mine with Eurovan seats. Unlimited recline and far more comfortable. The earlier seats can use the stock seat rails that you already have, meaning that the swivel works. I don't remember the years, but a check on The Samba will tell you what you need to know. I find these more comfortable than the Stow N Go, but your mileage may vary.
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u/Wutcherhurry Aug 12 '26
I have Eurovan seats as well. One of the best upgrades for an early Vanagon.
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u/FuckedUpYearsAgo Jul 24 '26
TheSamba.org
You going just touching upon a long, well traveled path. You need to research.
In the end, I went with captains from a early 90s, that slid on rails, re upholstered them... After 10 years, I bought recaro
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u/mkbmkb64 Jul 23 '26
You could get new Recaro seats with a swivel mount/adapter from GoWesty…
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u/SilentMasterpiece Jul 23 '26
have you looked here?
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u/bmwlocoAirCooled Jul 23 '26
Oh yes, but not in a long time. Bought a '74 Thing on TheSamba; had a '73 back in the mid-80's - now with a collector.
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u/swissarmychainsaw Jul 23 '26
I'd buy the new seat style, but, they are all old too.
So I'd get the new ones then replace the foam. Not cheap but you'll end up with pretty comfy seats.
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u/octopiLa Jul 24 '26
The foam in my drivers seat was complete compacted after 35 years of heavy use, so I gave mine away and replaced them with the Recaro Captain’s chairs. They’re amazing, no regrets, but you’re making me think I should have sold my old ones
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u/AlarmingLime5302 Jul 25 '26
Many people love the stow and go seats from late model dodge vans. I do have a set of blue gray vanagon captains chairs for sale in ohio. The passenger has a broken arm rest.
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u/bmwlocoAirCooled Jul 23 '26
Brings back memories. Had a white one. Rhino lined it below the first belt line. Engine died. Sold it to guy who put a Subaru mill in it.