T4 Front Seats - Are Driver and Passenger Seats Identical?

[Deeceer]

Obviously I'm not talking about in a three-seater but in a standard two-seater are the driver and passenger seats effectively the same?

I recently pulled the old sheepskins off that were in my '98 when I bought it - never actually looked under them before - and was delighted to find the seat covers in great condition.

But the previous owner must have been a big lad because in repeatedly turning to get out of the vehicle (I assume), he's turned the driver's seat-back side bolster completely sideways. Not the side bolster on the bit you sit on but the side bolster on the seat back.

Instead of pointing forwards, it points at the passenger door. Feeling around, it feels like the bolster foam underneath has parted company with the rest and squirmed round under the cover.

I suppose I could get it looked at by a trimmer but also the seat mounting and slide mechanism is a bit worn, there's movement in it as you work the pedals, and I was wondering if a used passenger seat might be a better option.

My passenger seat is pristine, obviously because it's had a bum in it much less than the driver seat and not been subject to getting in and out and clutch pedal back-pressure punishment.

I wonder if the seats are the same because the back rake dial is on the left on both and I suspect the seats are set up for seat belt mounting on either side.

Also, if they are the same, does anyone have a rough idea how much wreckers are likely to ask for seats?

[Golf Loon]

They are basically the same mate. Seat adjuster is on the other side, thats about it.

You can swop the skins over, or just ahve the adjuster on the other side. I have swopped a few passenger seats onto the drivers side.

I actually have a few seats here, show us a pic of the pattern on yours and I`ll see what we have.

$150 gets you a perfect one.

[Deeceer]

They are basically the same mate. Seat adjuster is on the other side, thats about it.

You can swop the skins over, or just ahve the adjuster on the other side. I have swopped a few passenger seats onto the drivers side.

I actually have a few seats here, show us a pic of the pattern on yours and I`ll see what we have.

$150 gets you a perfect one.

If the adjuster you're talking about is the back rake dial, it's on the left side on both my seats.

Hmm, $150? What would it cost to ship something like that to the Gold Coast?

[Tombi]

Virtually the only difference is seat belt mounting to the seat. All you will have to do is swap this over, however there is also the seat belt warning light sender which is attached to drivers side seat belt mount too. Easy fix.

[Golf Loon]

Hmm, $150? What would it cost to ship something like that to the Gold Coast?

About $50 Mainfreight

[mish13]

They are basically the same mate. Seat adjuster is on the other side, thats about it.

You can swop the skins over, or just ahve the adjuster on the other side. I have swopped a few passenger seats onto the drivers side.

I actually have a few seats here, show us a pic of the pattern on yours and I`ll see what we have.

$150 gets you a perfect one.

Sorry to high jack your post but we have just brought a 98 Caravelle GLS and the seats are a bit worse for wear. Do you have a full set?If not just the drivers seat and the single one inside the sliding door are the worst.
Thanks Michelle

[Deeceer]

Groan... very tempting but difficult to justify in the face of an upcoming service, rego and insurance due, and a leaky vacuum pump that's beating out a tattoo louder than a highland drummer. Think it'll have to go on the 'to do' list but thanks anyway, Golf Loon.

[Deeceer]

There you go - had a proper look and found it'll be an easy fix.

The side bolster foam had torn in a relatively straight line along the forward edge of the seat frame and the outer portion finished up wrapped right round the side under the cover. The previous owner really must have 'rolled' out of the van.





Pleasantly surprised to find how easy it was to unclip the bottom fastener of the seat cover - wind the seat all the way back, unclip the ends of the fastener along the bottom edge, then the longer centre portion, and draw the cover up like rolling up a sock.

Tomorrow I'll glue the torn foam with an appropriate glue, give it overnight to cure then refit the cover.

Thanks for the help everyone regarding the idea of fitting a used but less weary passenger seat, that's still on the 'to do' list due to the wear in the seat track mechanism, but in the meantime it will look a whole lot less deformed.