Fitting a bed in a Doka... the story begins

[jed the spread]

Right feel free to stick your ore in as any tips along the way are welcome.

First step the bed, and this is it. (big thanks to Tony AKA Alfieboy)



This is were its going,



So i whipped out the back seats. Dunno how many of you have slept on the back seat of a Doka but believe me they are a tad narrow to say the least.



So i had to offer the bed in to see how it was going to be fixed and sit. First job get rid of the speakers that will have a speaker cover of some type on them so the heater matrix and engine preheater will still work.



The first problem was brought up when i noticed if i wanted maximum leg room in the back the seat belt mechanism had to be moved as it pushed the seat well forward seen here,




So i thought if i moved it from here,



To here,



Letting the seat sit here,



Rather than here,



The second problem then cropped up when i undid the seat to make a bed for it to fold out flat it had to sit with the minimum leg room position so i am guessing that is the compromise of this project.



So with all now with the basics worked out i now know i have to fix a couple of 4'' packers on the front of the metal base and get a fixing their for the front.



I will then have to fix some thick ply to the side that faces to the outside of the van on the non opening door side in the rear of the van door card, so i can bolt into it for the bracket to fix to. Then make up a bit for the opening door side to fix to, kind of like an end panel in a kitchen if you know what i mean. I had a little lye down on it earlier and it is well nice and will be even better when i get some swivel bases for the front seats and fit those too.

jed

[mininut]

Jed, I might be stating the obvious here but, make sure you reinforce the area where you intend to relocate the seat belt to.

I'll watch this thread with great interest.

[syncrodoug]

Jed, can you still get at the spare wheel?
Doug

[PC52]

Lifting it up, so the bottom of the seat is 14 to 15" from the floor, Should stop it fouling the seatbelt and give the small rear passenger a bit more of a chance seeing out of the window.
Be aware that the seat belt fittings may be too short.
I took the oringinal frame out and made a new one to fit in there and helped the back angle of the seat fit better.

[jed the spread]

Jed, I might be stating the obvious here but, make sure you reinforce the area where you intend to relocate the seat belt to.

I'll watch this thread with great interest.

The belts now can go back were they was, as the seat has to sit forward anyway to allow the bed to fold out Paul.

jed

[jed the spread]

Jed, can you still get at the spare wheel?
Doug

Good point Doug should be ok but i will double check. Might have to do a Clivey type of spare wheel carrier type of fetish on the truck

jed

[jed the spread]

Lifting it up, so the bottom of the seat is 14 to 15" from the floor, Should stop it fouling the seatbelt and give the small rear passenger a bit more of a chance seeing out of the window.
Be aware that the seat belt fittings may be too short.
I took the oringinal frame out and made a new one to fit in there and helped the back angle of the seat fit better.

consider it lifted

jed

[jed the spread]

Carp its raining so i have to leave it for today

jed

[Pepperami]

Would one of these fit http://busman.be/pagina56aa.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they look as hard as nails.

[jed the spread]

Would one of these fit http://busman.be/pagina56aa.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they look as hard as nails.

Fraid not my old china. I have a big roofrack if i need to pop one somwere really.

jed

[Pepperami]

Have you got a pic of the back of your bus i can see.

[jed the spread]

jed

[Pepperami]

Would a carrier that swings down instead of out work?

[jed the spread]

there are a few ways of getting round it but its all down to dosh and custom untried prototypes that will end up "pooh" in the end anyway. Should still be able to get to the spare as it is though still i think.







jed

[PEET]

Jed if ya need a wheel carrier made up I kno several cheap fabricator mates down here or if ya can weld well enuf do it at my place if it's pishin down..
I like the simple fold one the best, looks easy to make too in fact there are bearers similar to that which we have at work if ya want me to acquire one from the scrap heap?