Chair bracket removal?

[sanoserfer]

I have a 2003 SMB with an extra captain's chair. I want to remove the floor bracket that it attaches to and from. Has anyone done this successfully? The chair sits just inside the left door. The bracket itself is mounted on the floor and sits above a gray water holding tank. I can't see the nuts and bolts that fasten it to the floor. I contacted Sportsmobile and they said bring it in and they could take care of it. Basically it would be a 4 hour job. Sportsmobile is great at this sort of thing, yet it would be about a 6 hour round trip drive ( plus 4 hours wating) for me to get there and back. Any suggestions? Or has anyone removed a similar bracket? I have a fellow SMB owner who wants the chair and I want to have the bracket as well. Thanks

[Ford_6L_E350]

I removed the bracket from my 3rd captain's chair. This bracket was about 15" square, black and stood up almost 2" - a real toe breaker!

Our bracket was held on with 4 bolts with individual nuts and washers under the van. In other words, you couldn't unscrew it from the top, you had to go underneath and remove the nuts while someone or something held the bolts from above. And, the nuts were hidden between a heatshield and the bottom of the floor. I had to remove the heatshield and then proceed. A real PITA! I cut the heatshield into two pieces to facilitate removal.

Then, I made a nutplate (4 nuts welded to a metal plate) and screwed that up, under the van floor. Now the bolts can be removed/installed from the top - if I ever need to reinstall the 3rd chair.

Mike

[Greg In Austin]

Mike,

Don't you love it when you find a great solution, get it in place..... and then never need it again!


aarrgghhh

[BroncoHauler]

Do you guys see a manufacturer's nameplate on the base attached to the van floor? I think Flexsteel makes the Captain's seat bases and brackets, but I'm not sure.

I'm trying to track down some extra brackets, to make it easier to sell the extra Captain's seats that I have.


Herb

[Ford_6L_E350]

Herb,

I couldn't see a manufacturer's name on the base of mine. Couldn't see the entire base where the chair is in storage, but nothing I could see.

Have you tried asking SMB? They should be willing to help you obtain spare parts for your SMB. They might be willing to sell them to you, but you don't really want to pay their markup.

Mike

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

Herb,

I couldn't see a manufacturer's name on the base of mine. Couldn't see the entire base where the chair is in storage, but nothing I could see.

Have you tried asking SMB? They should be willing to help you obtain spare parts for your SMB. They might be willing to sell them to you, but you don't really want to pay their markup.

Mike

Yeah, the first place I tried. They don't have any extras, and they "think" it's a factory Ford part. I don't think it is, but I haven't gone by my local Ford dealer yet.


Herb

[Ford_6L_E350]

Herb,

Why don't you try Huntington? They installed our 3rd Captain's chair and they are very helpful.

Mike

[sanoserfer]

Mike, thank you for explaining "how to remove" the bracket and "install" it correctly. I wish that my bracket had been installed originally the way you have now re-installed your bracket.


As per your response to Herb, who is Huntington? Where are they located? thanks Sano

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

Herb,

Why don't you try Huntington? They installed our 3rd Captain's chair and they are very helpful.

Mike

Will do. I have to get it out of my head that the three SMBs operate the same, and use the same parts and materials. They each have their own individuality.


Herb

[daveb]

Originally Posted by sanoserfer

who is Huntington? Where are they located? thanks Sano

http://www.sportsmobile.com/z-PO_indy.html