Rear Seats

Hello All, Hows things.

I'm thinking of replacing the truck cab on spongebob for a full hard top. I want to fit rear bench seats. Whats the law regarding these seats? I want to fit seatbelts (lapstraps) but am i allowed to carry passengers in this manner? Its a 1964, 109 if that makes any difference. it would be nice to get the whole family out in spongebob instead of 3 at a time.

Any helpful/unhelpful comments are welcome.

Cheers.

Adults can use the lapbelts if they want to children can't. As they aren't approved child restraints.

right i have a series 3 88" i want to put a bench in the back do i need seat belts?

wilson210484 said:

right i have a series 3 88" i want to put a bench in the back do i need seat belts?

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i'm not too sure on the legal side but on a practical side i'd say you deffinatly need some belts as its not fun sliding around in the back when you take a sharp corner!!!!

my kids love sliding around in the back, and lying down and seeing how long before they fall off the seat
the law contradicts itself on carrying children, if they are aged 3 or over and there are no seat belts they don't have to wear them, but then at the very bottom of the page where it says about old cars it states that you can't carry kids in them
The law on wearing seat belts in the UK

wilson210484 said:

right i have a series 3 88" i want to put a bench in the back do i need seat belts?

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No

landybird said:

my kids love sliding around in the back, and lying down and seeing how long before they fall off the seat
the law contradicts itself on carrying children, if they are aged 3 or over and there are no seat belts they don't have to wear them, but then at the very bottom of the page where it says about old cars it states that you can't carry kids in them
The law on wearing seat belts in the UK

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It's wrong. That's just some bodies interpretation of the law the guide above is very clear. If they are fitted they must be used (on forwards facing seats) if they aren't fitted you can still carry children in them

Right that settles it, im fitting a bench and sod the seat belts it only for my mates every now and then so whats it matter. I can only do 55mph anyways.LOL

So what your saying in essence is? me an the kids in the front and our lass and the dog in the back.

result!

spongebobsquaretruck said:

So what your saying in essence is? me an the kids in the front and our lass and the dog in the back.

result!

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Yep that's the essence of it. Children take preference over adults if there aren't enough forwards facing seats and/or seatbelts.

My undemanding is that if they are over 3, if there are no suitable restraints fitted, and the law does not inquire them to be fitted a a vehicle of that age, chisldren can still travel unrestrained.
Doesn't apply to under threes who must be restrained.

Davec said:

Doesn't apply to under threes who must be restrained.

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snigger aint that the truth, i like to gag them as well just to ensure a peaceful journey

As I typed it I though should I ad "when in cars" but then decided it was good general advise.

Hello, just joined and never used a forum before so here I go. I am also looking into putting seats in the load area of a series 3. I understand, but not 100% sure, the EC regulations are to change next month (Aug 09), meaning that only forward facing seats with belt can be used by children under 12. So assume that adults can still use bench seats. John Craddocks have these as a fold away seat I am waiting to see if their 4 point harness will fit this as I can not bolt in the 3 point seat belt as there is nothing strong enough to bolt top part into. the price for all this will be about £150.00 inc P+P not installation.

Where did you see this, it's the first I've heard of it.

I read some of this info on sites when looking for advise for myself. It was from a selection of forum sites (4x4 and camper van sites). I was hoping some one like yourselves with a bit more experience could shed any light on it.

I have recently just checked the whole seat belt thing too- best not to have a sad face at the expense of the Old Bill! It's a strange piece of legislation. Legally i cannot put my daughter or son (11 & 10) in the front as i don't have front seat belts. It seems they must be <12. But they can legally travel in the back (where again there are no seat belts. My GSD will be gutted if he's not allowed in the front either!

i got a 1974 series 3 with no seatbelts but there are mounts for them do i need them then

I was just wondering if the was any type of kit developed to fit either 2 or 3 forward facing seats into the rear of the 109.

Deetd4 said:

I was just wondering if the was any type of kit developed to fit either 2 or 3 forward facing seats into the rear of the 109.

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yeah its called a 109 STATION WAGON