Rotating Trooper Drivers Seat

Hi I am wondering if anyone has ever fitted the swivel base to a drivers seat on a trooper?

Mine is a 1993 and I could ideally do with it turning, it does look like it would hit the handbrake if this was possible to do, so I guess it would have to be left in gear and the handbrake off as the seat would swivel and then sit above the handbrake on the skew due to the cupboards and table storage area.

If if is possible and anyone has done it what plate do you fit on the underside?

Thanks

In principle I don't think there is any reason why not. The following thread (about a Topaz, but the Trooper is not so much different in that area) suggests that it's possible on a T4 based van (because IIRC forum user kmrtopaz's first Topaz was T4 based):

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I'm not sure about the T4, but on the T5, the most commonly used swivel is just the optional one that VW fit from the factory. I don't think there's any standard way to reduce the height of the handbrake, but there are probably some DIY methods that will drop it low enough (there are on the T5) though what your insurance company would make of such a mod I don't know...

Thanks Mojo interesting read in the link you supplied.

I tried to get a drivers swivel fitted to a T5 the installer said he could not say if it would work unless he gave it a go, which he did and it didn't swivel. Kiravans make a t5 swivel the moves sideways to clear some furniture obstructions and steering wheels, if try them to see if they have any experience or knowledge of your vehicle.
Good luck

I've always found (IMHO) that just it's not worth the effort swivelling the drivers seat on a T5 or 5, shuffling back and forth to clear the steering wheel, great difficulty with the handbrake when on levelling blocks, and some swivels can raise the seat up a couple of inches which can be a disadvantage.
For coachbuilts, fine - but in a small van with kitchen units right behind the seat the turning space is so restricted.
I can still sit sideways, just put a cushion against the door. Otherwise it's used as a storage space.
Incidentally, for help and advice for the basic VW T as opposed to the Autosleeper conversion, you might want to join us at the VWT4 Forum.
Seat swivels are a common topic there.

I have a factory fitted swivel on our T5  Trooper as repoort states ifs hardly worth the effort of 20 or so seat shunts steering wheel alterations just to sit side wards.

I am considering removing the swivel. At least it will increase the payload.

Alf

I never swivel my factory-fitted swivel either! When I bought the van I tried to specify with a swivel on the passenger side, but not on the driver's side (because you get height adjustment on non-swivel seats) but VW said No, not a valid combination of options...

thanks for all the advice

Dead easy on our  previous 2008 Topaz
you just have to have the Right Knack!
Best from outside.
Seat back fully wound forward, Hand break off, seat slider fully forwards,arm rest down then with a shoulder pushing on the backrest round it goes.
slight shuffling of the seat slider may be required  
Not so easy from inside but you need to open the door slightly as the seat back edge catches the door arm support. and oh the steering wheel has to be on the correct position.
There I said it was simple and easy.
frederic

...yes, it's simpler on a Topaz - because it is not the same layout, there are no cabinets directly behind the seat, just a (softer) settee. And it has to be simpler because the swivel is needed to make the beds up.

repoort wrote:...yes, it's simpler on a Topaz - because it is not the same layout, there are no cabinets directly behind the seat, just a (softer) settee. And it has to be simpler because the swivel is needed to make the beds up.

Yes agreed you posted correctly

Alf