T5 2011 5.1 California Comfortline: Changing passenger seat for a Transporter double front seat

[mike.bradshaw1957]

Greetings!

Has anyone successfully replaced the front passenger seat with a double seat from a Transporter?

Context: I've hit a bureaucratic brick wall importing a German vehicle to Portugal (camper is already in Portugal) because the German documents (Tiel I, CoC) are based on the "base" Transporter/Caravelle vehicle and states that it has 5 seats, which is obviously doesn't since it's a 2011 California. The Portuguese computer says no.

It only has two rails in the back, unlike some later models, so adding a seat there isn't an option.

Spec:

VW California Comfortline 2011 5.1

Thank you

 

[OGII]

Not done it. Have done the reverse and switched a standard van double seat for a passenger single in a T5 conversion. Just standard lugs in the floor and nuts. Can't imagine the California (or the Caravelle it is derived from) gets any modifications to the floor pan/ seat mountings.

Be aware some passengers grumble the double seat has an uncomfortable angle. If you do make the swap aim for one with the folding seat back, so much better than the fixed position one.