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Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:07 am
by betz
Does the reclining bench seat in a conversion van mount the same way that the regular astro benches do? In other words - Can I get one of those reclining seats and put it in my 'stro without any mods?

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:21 am
by ihatemybike
From the ones I've seen in the yards, no. Doesn't mean you can't rework one to do so though.

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:28 am
by betz
hmm, sure is tempting since it is only $75. I'm gonna have to see if I can make it to the yard and check it out.

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:07 pm
by Rebel
I don't think so. Had two conversions and think that rear bolts directly to floor if I remember correctly. :-k

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:20 pm
by T.Low
betz wrote:hmm, sure is tempting since it is only $75. I'm gonna have to see if I can make it to the yard and check it out.

GTRV wants $3800, yes thats thirty eight hundred bucks, yes, i'm talking three thousand, eight hundred dollars! No, not for a used old conversion van, I mean for a sleeper couch for my Astro van! #-o

If you decide you do not want it, please email me the details, I will make it work. I couldn't build one out of wood for $75 bucks and I can get the lumber at wholesale!


My local yard wants $250 for the drivers power seat.

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:45 pm
by skippy
I don't think so. Had two conversions and think that rear bolts directly to floor if I remember correctly. :-k
absolutely correct larry . every conversion bench i've dealt with has bolted through the floor . both my conversions are like that & so were the full size conversions i've had .

its an easy job to mount in the back of the van though , just recently did that to my wifes 88 astro before the tranny went south on it .
both the van & bench seat wound up at lockdocs place in plymouth PA if you guys need a bench /sofa reclineable . he's just grabbin good parts from the van & scrapping it as far as i know .

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:53 pm
by betz
Any chance someone could post a pic of what this seat would look like and just how big it is? I would appreciate that very much since the junkyard that has the seat is a few hours away. It is off of a 2000 Astro if that helps.

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:10 pm
by mdmead
Mine bolts in. Actually, the seat is strapped down by four heavy "U" type brackets. Two bolts per bracket, four brackets total.

These beds though are worthless. They are WAY to small to sleep on. When folded down, mine is big enough for my 7 yr old daughter, but even my 5' 4'' wife couldn't use it. If a person really wants to sleep in the van, you are dollars ahead building something instead. (I'm assuming all the fold down beds for Astro/Safari vans are about the same size...)

Now, if you need seating for 7/8 and want to sleep in it... you could build some type of cusioned box for the very back. Combine that with the folded out bed, and you are starting to get close. (I've got a plastic box that takes up the entire rear of my van and when the bed if folded out, it makes for a great flat load area up there.)

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:41 pm
by betz
hmm...so it isn't really sleepable, eh? I wonder if you turn that 1st bench around, then recline the 2nd bench...and then build a padded porch for the rear...I bet that would work out! I'm still interested in looking into this. Could sleep in the van to save some hotel expenses if I need to. BTW, is that a polaris 2 up DLX?

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:58 am
by ihatemybike
When I need sleeping space in my van I usually remove the benches and throw a full size futon mattress on the floor, fits perfectly. You can usually find them pretty cheap on Craigslist.

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:42 am
by mdmead
betz wrote:hmm...so it isn't really sleepable, eh? I wonder if you turn that 1st bench around, then recline the 2nd bench...and then build a padded porch for the rear...I bet that would work out! I'm still interested in looking into this. Could sleep in the van to save some hotel expenses if I need to. BTW, is that a polaris 2 up DLX?
I've got 4 captains chairs in addition to the rear bench/bed, so I can't help you on that one. And granted, I'm talking full conversion furniture, as I have no experience with the factory bench seating.

As for the sled, the one in my avatar is actually my '97 Ski-Doo Summit 670. (Most people out west don't run mirrors [as they are easy to knock off on trees], but I do as it makes it easier to keep track of the rider behind me. They are cheap and easily replaceable!)

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:37 pm
by kamenz
Betz look at my post in ASV outdoors+camping under when you camping. I used the base from the standard bench seat and modified the seat and backrest.

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:37 pm
by betz
Nice job Kamenz! Is that comfy to sleep on? What is overall size when reclined?

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:56 pm
by kamenz
Betz, the overall length including the back shelf is 5' 9'' there about-I am 6' plus so I usually sleep slightly diagonally or use the cooler for the feet-it is no Sealy Postopedic.

Re: Q about Sofa/Sleeper bench seat

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:24 pm
by Archiev
I dont know if this means anything but I took the sleeper/sofa out of a full size Dodge.( Hey, it was mint and it was free.) Had to put it in thru the slider but it bolted right in where the original was.