Captain Chairs

VOLT · 01-03-2025, 07:32 AM

Anyone know what model seat will swap out with the stock front seats that more comfortable?

doublevan2 · 01-03-2025, 07:42 AM

Whoa - gotta give the experts on this forum (not me !) more info on what van you have - make - model, year, etc., before someone will offer meaningful help - I mean don't expect members to search for your van info - maybe provide it in your post - thanks !

VOLT · 01-03-2025, 07:55 AM

[QUOTE=VOLT;337176]Anyone know what model seat will swap out with the stock Econoline front seats that are more comfortable. Think i heard something about Toyota Sienna seats will work but cant be sure. I think it may be the Ford Chateau model that are the ones folks are swaping up to. If anyone knows the best years for the Econoline Chateau to search the yards for it would be helpful. There a bunch of other models out there as well like the LTD, LA West, Cobra, etc. Dont know if any of the front seats from other various models are worth the time. I have the 4th generation Econo. 92-20015

Big_ern_101 · 01-03-2025, 01:16 PM

Couple options for you:
-Refoam/recover your stock seats. I refoamed mine, they are not bad. Were pretty horrible before. If the covers are crusty, you can install covers from 2nd row captains chairs that are rarely as torn up and a close-enough match. A dedicated person can have both fronts have lumbar adjust from the Chateau models if you can find another drivers side donor seat and have some fab skills.
-Conversion van seats. Available from junkyards and marketplace. May be awesome, may suck. Some of them are pretty high quality underpinnings but may need to be refoamed or recovered. If from an Econoline they will bolt in and have the correct seat belts. May not swivel if too big and overstuffed.
-Sienna seats. Guys install the 2nd row captains reclining Toyota Sienna seats on custom brackets. Not a direct bolt in, but can be pretty nice if you have fab skills. Can be dangerous if not mounted correctly. Ugly if not recovered due to redundant seat belt (Sienna seats have the belts on the seat, Econolines have the belts on the B pillar)
-Pickup Truck seats. Can be comfy, can look good. 100% custom either way. Need to be from top-trimmed trucks with center consoles and center armrests to be comfortable
-Sprinter/Transit seats. Belts are in the right place (B Pillar) might be comfortable, might not be, but they are fresh and new. Can be real cheap. Require fab work to fit.
-Scheel-Mann seats. Can be had without belts and with armrests. Can be heated. Bolt in options available. Require deep pockets.
-Recaro seats. Samesies as the Sheel-Mann seats, but dont bolt in. Come in better colors and look a little more racecar bro.

bigriver · 01-03-2025, 01:53 PM

There ya go VOLT... nice work Big

kevman · 01-09-2025, 10:53 AM

[QUOTE=VOLT;337179]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VOLT

Anyone know what model seat will swap out with the stock Econoline front seats that are more comfortable. Think i heard something about Toyota Sienna seats will work but cant be sure. I think it may be the Ford Chateau model that are the ones folks are swaping up to. If anyone knows the best years for the Econoline Chateau to search the yards for it would be helpful. There a bunch of other models out there as well like the LTD, LA West, Cobra, etc. Dont know if any of the front seats from other various models are worth the time. I have the 4th generation Econo. 92-20015

92-2015 is a pretty broad window.

We replaced our stock 2002 seats with 2016 seats (higher headrest, lumbar support) from a up-fitter take out. It was easy (direct bolt in) and cheap.

Comfort is subjective but I've got a pretty touchy low back and am quite happy with the 2016 seats, particularly the lumbar support, for long days behind the wheel.

Tadias · 01-09-2025, 11:09 AM

Check these out.
https://scheel-mann.com/products/vario-f-klima?variant=49647191359795

86Scotty · 01-09-2025, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VOLT

Anyone know what model seat will swap out with the stock front seats that more comfortable?

Any seat will swap out assuming you fab it to make it work. Nothing but other Econoline seats or aftermarket seats specifically made for Econoline are a direct fit.

Comfort is subjective.

This is about the first thing anyone who buys a van wants to upgrade. There are many, many, many threads on seat swaps.

Big_ern_101 · 01-09-2025, 09:26 PM

I went down a pretty deep rabbit hole the other night looking at guys who add armrests to Recaro seats. I think a guy with decent fab skills could make it work.

Basic idea is here.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/vi...c.php?t=726124
You can buy armrests with brackets from Ebay, you would probably want them recovered to match your choice of Recaros or Sparcos or whatever you want to run.
Problem is by the time you buy some Recaros from marketplace, cobble them, have the covers redone, you may as well just buy finished seats that are what you actually want unless you get some real good deals.

The_Vermonster · 01-10-2025, 11:04 AM

I want to give a slight warning on the Sienna seats with footrests. We have them in the back for our kids. Occasionally the footrest is used, and not completely latched back down. It looks like it is, but if you don't hear the click then it isn't secure. This meas that it will randomly pop out a quarter of the way. Not only terrifying, but as a driver I'm not sure how it might affect you ability to move a foot off the gas and onto the brake.

So I would probably look into removing the spring that makes the footrest rise automatically. When you want to use the footrest, you can just use one had for the latch and another hand to lift it up.