[MaryS]

Curious about pros and cons of paying extra for an 8 seater and going to the trouble of storing 4 seats - however some people configure the seating in creative ways to facilitate camping and seating

 

[MaryS]

and why do people dislike the overhead shelf? Having had a 2013 transit connect, I found the shelf handy. Just curious for when I order. I see that it is easy to order one without the shelf in 2021

 

[Covid van de Mic]

Curious about pros and cons of paying extra for an 8 seater and going to the trouble of storing 4 seats - however some people configure the seating in creative ways to facilitate camping and seating

I assume you mean paying extra for a 12 seater.

I bought an 8 seater (it will appear on order as a "4 seat delete" with a credit) and have zero regrets. We really only need 4 seats, and the 3-seat bench is on a furniture dolly in the garage almost all of the time (it's a bear to move) and the single seat is tucked in a corner of my home office and will probably never be used again.

As for why the van can be ordered this year without a shelf, it's likely cost savings for fleet buyers, rather than a typical forum user / #vanlifer not wanting it.

 

[MaryS]

I assume you mean paying extra for a 12 seater.

I bought an 8 seater (it will appear on order as a "4 seat delete" with a credit) and have zero regrets. We really only need 4 seats, and the 3-seat bench is on a furniture dolly in the garage almost all of the time (it's a bear to move) and the single seat is tucked in a corner of my home office and will probably never be used again.

As for why the van can be ordered this year without a shelf, it's likely cost savings for fleet buyers, rather than a typical forum user / #vanlifer not wanting it.

Thanks for the info - I read it as paying extra for 8 seats versus 12, so nice to know it is a credit versus an extra charge.

 

[killadawg09]

The Transit seats are very uncomfortable, heavy and don't fold in anyway! Here is what I did; I welded a custom braket to the OEM transit brakets thay use the stock rails. I had 8 seats. I also removed all the interior stuff (removed 400lbs of weight). The seats I added are 2021 Honda Odyssey leather seats I got from Ebay for 800 bucks. (They fully fold down and lay flat for sleeping kiddos) the seats can also move forward and backwards on the Honda rails. I have the options to also fully remove them and have a full bed for hauling. I ended up just giving away the old heavy seats, and kept the rails. I know this take some welding (which I do myself, but was a very quick build once I figure out what seats and how high I wanted them to sit).

 

[Covid van de Mic]

That's a great idea.

I wonder if my wife would notice the seats missing from our Odyssey.

Normally the Odyssey seats sit on the floor, and aren't raised up like the Transit seats. Did you do anything to change the seating height?

The Transit seats are very uncomfortable, heavy and don't fold in anyway! Here is what I did; I welded a custom braket to the OEM transit brakets thay use the stock rails. I had 8 seats. I also removed all the interior stuff (removed 400lbs of weight). The seats I added are 2021 Honda Odyssey leather seats I got from Ebay for 800 bucks. (They fully fold down and lay flat for sleeping kiddos) the seats can also move forward and backwards on the Honda rails. I have the options to also fully remove them and have a full bed for hauling. I ended up just giving away the old heavy seats, and kept the rails. I know this take some welding (which I do myself, but was a very quick build once I figure out what seats and how high I wanted them to sit).

 

[killadawg09]

That's a great idea.

I wonder if my wife would notice the seats missing from our Odyssey.

Normally the Odyssey seats sit on the floor, and aren't raised up like the Transit seats. Did you do anything to change the seating height?

As you can see I welded custom rails (made from the left over Transit floor rails) that I mounted the Odyssey seats to (so I do NOT use the Odyssey floor rails). I raised them to the OEM Ford height with the lower Ford transit bracket that fits right into the floor rails. I can remove the seats from the top rails and the lowers.. remove just one seat or both. I also went overkill, my welded bracket is probably 3x stronger and it is also TIG welded (which is stronger and has better penetration) I should have done a YouTube video, maybe for the next parts I will. but much of my build is me having fun welding.

 

[gregoryx]

Exact setup in our Sprinter - Odyssey seats on a welded frame.

 

[CrewVanManInfo]

If you go with the 8 or 12 passenger van, it only comes as a T-350 model. The T-250 only comes as a cargo van or CrewVan.

 

[killadawg09]

If you go with the 8 or 12 passenger van, it only comes as a T-350 model. The T-250 only comes as a cargo van or CrewVan.

Maybe now, but my 2018 T150 EB came with 8 seats and rear AC.

 

[asdrew]

Maybe now, but my 2018 T150 EB came with 8 seats and rear AC.

Correct. In previous years you could get the shorter T150 passenger van with 8 or 10 seats.
Currently that is only available for government fleet orders, and the T250 has never been available as a passenger van.

 

[JF Lecours]

the seats can also move forward and backwards on the Honda rails.

I really like your built!
On the most backward position, how much legroom did you gain over stock?

 

[killadawg09]

I really like your built!
On the most backward position, how much legroom did you gain over stock?

a couple inches more, and it goes to almost 6 inches less.. I didn't want them too far back as these are for my kids, its all on how far back I placed the hook loops on the top rails.. I theory I could have made that part just bolt in (instead of welding) and make bolt holes down the rails for moving back and forwards (but this is just fine for my needs) I have the shorter Van, so I need my rear space to fit my other junk.

 

[JF Lecours]

Ok great thanks for the info and inspiration.