 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Fitting rear benchs in a hardtop |
 
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3204   
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I am not an expert of UK legislation.... but to my knowledge, it is illegal to have more seats than what is stated in the V5 document.
More over, around 2006, safety boards called for forward (or rearward) facing seats only (although there was something about young children which were permitted on side seats!!!). Can still install side facing seats on pre Puma Defenders, if it is already classed as M1. I think if you want to change vehicle classification from N1 to M1 now for a pre Puma Defender, then they have to be forward facing seats. This is what I am aware of, but stand to be corrected. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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3rd Jan 2021 7:33pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1351  
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As mentioned above, from 2007 on passenger seats had to be forward facing. Seat belts and their mounting points have for many years have had a requirement to be 'type approved' - designed, tested and certified for the vehicle.
I doubt any insurer would allow those seats to be used to carry passengers, if a full disclosure statement was given to them along the lines of, "The vehicle has been modified by the addition of non type approved seats and seat belts that do not comply with vehicle construction and use legislation" Fitting forward facing seats could be just as difficult from an insurance point of view, if the vehicle never had them and wasn't intended to have them. Puma station wagon models (and the 110 USW) have a different body tub with reinforcements for the seat mountings. |
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3rd Jan 2021 9:47pm |
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| wynn153 Member Since: 30 Nov 2020 Location: Cheshire Posts: 31
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Can't see any major problems with it according to this link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications...n-the-rear It Says: "Although side facing seats, with or without seatbelts, are not illegal, we would not advise that they are used. This is because seatbelts are not designed to be used with such seats. In the event of an accident, seatbelts on these side facing seats may help to prevent the wearer being thrown around the vehicle or from being ejected, but in a frontal crash they can increase injury risk by subjecting vulnerable parts of the body to higher loads than seatbelts used on forward facing seats. You should also bear in mind that child restraints cannot be fitted to side facing seats. In order to fit the required child restraints, you would need to have forward or rearward facing seats with full three-point seatbelts." just will need to tell your insurer and maybe edit your V5?? It also says: "It may not be necessary to have your vehicle’s registration details altered, but you should check with the DVLA or your DVLA Local Office. You should also inform your insurance company of the changes made along with the number of passengers and the manner in which they will be carried." Don't know if this helps  |
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4th Jan 2021 6:19pm |
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| TamarBlue11 Member Since: 25 Sep 2020 Location: England Posts: 213 
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Thanks guys, thats really helpful.
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5th Jan 2021 9:04am |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7873 
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I'd imagine it would be an insurance issue, god forbid the worst happen!
Brings back memories of my childhood, my father fitted the back seat of a mini along the side of the 90 hardtop, no belts, used to slide all over the place!  James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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5th Jan 2021 1:07pm |
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