Chevy & GMC Vans

Has anyone tried modifying the rear bench seats so that they fold open instead of shut? It would be a really convenient solution to have something to crash on.

I think on some older models the seats were designed that way. Not positive though,seems I remember reading about them somewhere.

ya there is a bench from conversion vans to do that some people have swapped them in but i think they are hard to find maybe you could get pics of someones swapped bench and and figure out how the hinge works...

I removed the rear bench seat so my 2003 Astro is just 5 passenger not 8.

The trick I did in my 2003 Astro is to build a 36" x 36 " wooden sleeping platform out of 3/4 inch plywood.
then install the folding legs off of one of the folding tables available at Home Depot etc.
You could also get one of the nice plastic folding tables 30" by 72" and drill out the hinge rivets and just use one 30" x 36 " half. This still gives one set of build in folding legs. you would need to add one more set of folding legs.
Then just fold the bench seat flat and use the sleeping platform behind it to get enough lenght to stretch out.

Since I have the back bench seat out I have room inside for camping gear and Mt Bikes.

I am thinking of bolting a piece of 3/4 inch plywood to the left wall of the inside rear portion of my Astro.
I will use a pattern to make a jig saw cut to allow the plywood to fit around the rear wheel wheel.

I plan to attach the plywood to the large seat belt anchor bolt.
Then with a beefy plywood side wall, I can make a folding cantilever table/sleepign platform in the left rear.
the plywood will also allow hard mounts for a showel and an axe, etc.

Astrophysics.

I would love to see photos of this, Astrophysics.

the rear seat/beds that are in the conversion vans will work for you but ..... they do not fit into the quick release cups that are there for the seats . the bench/bed seats in conversions are bolted to the floor . so in reality you could put one in your van but it won't be a quick release like the one you have now unless you could fab something from the 2 frames to make it work that way .

I take out my benches quite often, so yes I'm looking for a removable solution.
I suppose one possibility would be to cut off the quick-release mechanism off some junk seats and build a removable bed/storage box onto them.

timelessbeing wrote:I would love to see photos of this, Astrophysics.

I would also love to see some pics! Got any.....huh.huh?

Actually, just re-read your post.The part about, you were thinking about...
If you go ahead with this.... did I mention ,would love to see some pics!

I found someone getting rid of seats out of a 97 Astro. I really want these so I can use the base to built a sectional bed. My questions is will they drop right into my van? In other words, is the floor socket configuration the same for all Astros?

The seats from a '97 have the same base as the 2000. No problems here.

I'm going to be starting my interior project fairly soon.

I took some measurements to help with the design.
I posted them in the forum INTERIOR section in case anyone else interested:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5783

I am envisioning a plywood box that is removable and slides in between the wheel wells. The top will be on hinges so you can open it to put things inside, or unfold it all the way to make a bed. The flap will rest on the middle bench folded down, or fold-out legs if there's no bench.

Here's what I'm thinking...


Using cheap 3/4" plywood and piano hinge

Was thinking something very similar. In my case I already have a 2 drawer with heavy duty rollers, wooden box that fits behind the middle benchseat and uses the rear benchseat front floor brackets. I was thinking of making a plywood top for it that would slide forward and rest on the folded down middle benchseat and/or fold out legs if the middle benchseat is out,as you suggested. Then you could also store camping gear or coolers underneath it. Look forward to seeing your design as you go along!

I shrunk my design a whole bunch. This should made it more "manageable", make better use of plywood sheets, and give me more headroom.



I just need to figure out a good system for supporting the leafs.

My 2000 American Vans conversion has a folding rear seat. If the hardware holding it to the floor were welded in you could remove 4 bolts and take the seat out.

Under then van are 2 pieces of c channel with the seat bolted through the floor.

In my experience (5'11") sleeping back there you need to curl up a little, but it's ok for a short time.