[Andygoodbloke]

Hi All
I have been looking at putting a back seat back into my project Samurai 1989.
Simple question
What fits and what doesn't?
Will a back seat out of a small Suzuki van fit, or a Sidekick/Vitara/Escado?
Please help as looking for a Samurai/SJ413 is as rear as Rocking horse poop

Thanks Andy

[Andygoodbloke]

Also the interior side panels/cards for the back has anyone got a pic or template so I can make some or do I get the cardboard out a get the shape myself?
The other hard one will be the roof lining - if I replace it - but it is painted metal of the roof with bits of foam stuck to it currently.

[Gwagensteve]

Nothing will fit anywhere near as well as a factory sierra rear seat. Vitara will be far too wide. It’s not just the physical size, it’s also the fold and tumble latches and hinges etc that are important to make the seat functional and safe. The seat belt latch is bolted to the seat so the rear latch is designed for that force.

I believe aftermarket panels are available but a decent sized piece of card a tape measure and scissors and you could whip up a template pretty quick.

Note that not all sierras had rear panels or seats.

[Andygoodbloke]

Thanks GwagonSteve
Looking at the mounting bolts holes for the seat belts and the brackets on the floor I would say there is a seat missing and the big open holes where it goes through to the external body and has a line that the panel to sits in, and holes for the always break trim attachers would make me think it has been stripped out, or got damaged and thrown away. I will need to replace the panels and seats before it goes back on the road otherwise they will register the vehicle as a 2 seater and not allow 4 in it, plus ear plugs, and either no clothes or many layers when you drive the thing as the insulation layer is not in place.

I take it a Samurai is sold as a Sierra in Australia?
Just like a Subaru Liberty is known as a Legacy in everywhere which is not Australian
And a Doona - how is that a Duvet?
The Wine was called a Syrah' but Aussies call it a Shiraz - do you want more?
Who ever designed the Aussie $1 and $2 coins needs to go back to primary school and learn about sizes and logic
OK I'll stop now, sorry just taking the p1ss - please throw it back and don't get offended - we won't go near the 501 orders

[Jezzer]

I have some old rear panels for templates. I recently cut some out some MDF.

My SJ413 seat (no I’m not selling it) is a 2 person bench seat that is mounted at he front with two bolts and it doesn’t have latch at the back, the seat belt buckles are are mounted to the floor.

I have seen some later ones with 2 seats with latch’s that fold separately.


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[Andygoodbloke]

Thanks Jesser
We really need to catch up for a pint and swap war and build stories and see if we can help each other
I will send a text
Thanks Andy

[Andygoodbloke]

Does anyone know if other seats out of vans, such as Suzuki Super carry or back seats out of 4wds or vans such as Nissan Safari fit? into the rear of the Suzuki Samurai's I have looked at rear seats which have tube frames and have not found any yet- help please

Thanks Andy

[Jezzer]

The problem with anything from a van is the seat is probably going to be two wide as it sits in the middle of the van rather than between the rear wheel arches. They might also sit to high. Which will be a similar problem with an old Patrol or Land Cruiser as well as having more space between the wheel arches.

I have seen a SJ with the rear seat (mid row I think) from a Pajero but he made it sit above the wheel arch’s and got 3 kids along the back. But soon run out of head room when the grew) that option or any non direct bolt in will need to be certified.

The was one on Marketplace but was $450 from memory. I did do a quick search in Japan on line for one and they had some options but shipping will be a killer. But if you are in no rush I might know someone who brings containers over with parts every few months. But it might end up close to the price of the marketplace one


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[Jezzer]

There’s a wreaker in Rangiora who has just got a coily that has a rear seat. This will be the easiest one to modify. Also an early 1999-2004 Jimny might work. The later ones will not as the seat base is mounted to the door and doesn’t fold (that’s what our one is)

https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-moto ... 163922.htm


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[Andygoodbloke]

Thanks Jezzer.
I measured and the seat needs to be 1.2m wide or less. The third row of seats out of a Hi Ace van maybe the answer as they also fold forward and flat by folding in half with the back folding down, then hinged forward. - have to find one which isn't priced as if the bolts are made of gold - I won't pay the price of $450 unless there is no other option. - I will keep looking and ask the wrecker in Rangiora as I got the bumper off the SJ80 Coily he has

Thanks Andy

[Jezzer]

My seat (I was going to get it out on Sunday) is 900mm wide and sits in between the wheel arches


I work for a van wrecker that dismantles Hiace vans from 1990-2023

The rear folding bench seats are 3 seaters and are around 1350-1450mm depending on spec. And they have latches at the back or if it’s a Super Custom they are on slide rails.

There is a narrower seat from a 1990-1994 Hiace Japanese import that was a two seater and didn’t have a rear latch but don’t have any here so I can’t get measurements.

2000-2010 Mazda bongos also have a narrower seat but again we don’t have any at the moment.

A rear Mini bus double seat from a 2005-2019 Hiace is only 900mm but they don’t fold

Any thing not original will need a modified base and mounting setup.

A rear seat from a 5 door Vitara is just over 1200mm


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[Andygoodbloke]

Thank you Jezzer
Your pictures have answered a lot of questions, as I was thinking the width would have been wider, the seat higher and the arch under the seat, but then as you said you run out of height for anyone aged over 10. I will look for a .9m wide seat not a 1.2m