Defender Folding Seats Project

Problem 1: Original Defender seats were invented by the Spanish Inquisition.
Solution: Throw out the original seats and find something more comfortable.

Problem 2: The new seats are very comfortable, but do not fit into the original holes.
Solution: Build something temporary, that converts the new seats holes layout to the Defender holes layout.

Problem 3: After 2 years of ignoring the problem that the new seats did not fold, I was looking for a better solution.
Solution: That’s the time to solve the problem and here is the story:

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The problem was that the old temporary solution (that I used 2 years) placed the seats 4cm higher than the original.  Also- every time you need to jump start yourself or a buddy or add water to the battery was uncomfortable. Last problem- remove the chair when you need to change the battery.

First thing was to place two stripes on the original holes of the seats

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In this picture you can see one of the attachment stripes after the paint job.

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On these stripes I have welded one side of the hinge as you can see here:

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In this picture you can see the two stripes after paint – attached to the original holes:

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Next step was to create a compatible “H” to the seat:

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And to add one more point so it will be possible to attach the seat in more than one point (this applies only to the drivers side):

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Then, I added the static ends of the clips that locks the seats- like the ones that locks the chambers under it.
The Drivers seat, in this picture you can see the locks of the seat (locked)

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And now to the demo…
This it how it looks when the seat is locked:

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Moving the seat maximum forward in order to lift the seat up:

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Unlocking the clips and the seat is up high:

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Giving us a full access to the storage box on the right side:

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From this position it takes about 10 seconds to move the pins out and take the seat out of the car.

Closing the box:

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And the small noise-reduction carpet:

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The carpet also adds tension to the locking mechanism of the seat.

And… Locked again!

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That’s it!

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My 110
1997 Land-Rover Defender 110, TDI300 engine.